FW: Congress Passes Two-Day Extension of TEA-21

["Lisa Pogue" <lpogue@xxxxxxxx>]

Lisa Haakon Pogue, LTAP Clearinghouse
Director of Technology Transfer, American Public Works Association
1401 K Street NW, 11th Floor, Washington, DC 20005
(202) 218-6724, Fax: (202) 218-6725, Mobile: (703) 861-7247, Web:
www.ltapt2.org




-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Fahey 
Sent: Wednesday, July 20, 2005 3:13 PM
Subject: Congress Passes Two-Day Extension of TEA-21

Congress late yesterday approved a 48-hour extension of TEA-21, the
ninth since TEA-21 expired.  The eighth extension expired July 19.

Negotiators continue to work on a highway funding formula satisfactory
to donor states.  Conferees representing donor states are reportedly
pushing for an immediate increase from the current 90.5 percent state
minimum return on gasoline taxes paid to the Highway Trust Fund to a 92
percent minimum return.  An agreement worked out prior to the
Independence Day Recess would have brought all states to 92 percent by
2009.  

At least one more extension is expected.  Aides say they hope the
two-day extension might possibly allow conferees to announce an
agreement by July 21.  Another extension might then allow a conference
report to be ready for a vote in the House and Senate next week.

Jim Fahey
Director of Government Affairs
American Public Works Association