The Senate approved the House's Highway Trust Fund (HTF) fix July 31 by a vote of 81-13, sending the bill to President Obama for his signature. The president was expected to sign the bill. The legislation provides approximately $10.8 billion in offsets to support transfers of general funds into the HTF. It also extends the authorizations for public transit, highway, and highway safety programs funded from the HTF until May 31. 

APTA President & CEO Michael Melaniphy welcomed the bill's passage, but emphasized that it is only a short-term fix. “While keeping the Highway Trust Fund and Mass Transit Account solvent and providing an authorizing extension that continues federal investment in our transportation system is a necessary first step to avoid a funding crisis, Congress still needs to fund a long-term solution for transportation in the coming months," he said. "With the crisis deferred, it is essential that Congress stay focused on completing its work to advance long-term federal legislation that recognizes this demand and provides the needed investment in our nation’s aging transportation infrastructure."

The fix passed just before Congress began its recess, which lasts from Aug. 2 to Sept 7.

SAVE THE DATE

As if there weren't already enough reasons to attend APTA's Annual Meeting & EXPO in Houston, October 12-15, the keynote address at the Opening General Session will be delivered by Stephen L. Klineberg, co-director of the Kinder Institute of Urban Research at Rice University. Klineberg will speak about the prospects for walkable urbanism in car-centered Houston. Don't miss it!

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