IRTBA Friday Facts

Washington

House Passes Another Extension

As Friday Facts readers were advised last week, the House this week followed through and passed another 90-day extension of the transportation bill, with a provision to accelerate the Keystone XL pipeline. The measure passed the House 293-117. Only three Illinois Democrats voted against the bill. That "dirty" extension will send the matter to a conference committee comprised of (yet unnamed) members of the House and Senate. The White House announced earlier this week it would veto a transportation bill that included language to accelerate a decision on the Keystone XL pipeline, stating further environmental studies are needed. Republicans think they have a winning political issue -- industry and unions both want a transportation bill and Keystone. The Obama Administration, siding against labor, is throwing a bone to environmentalists by opposing Keystone. Will the conference committee come up with a real transportation bill? Will the President veto the bill if it includes Keystone? Stay tuned!

Springfield

Drive Down to Springfield
As IRTBA industry leaders and Emerging Leadership Program (ELP) participants discovered in Springfield this week, the state of the State is grim. Governor Pat Quinn's Chief of Staff Jack Lavin told the IRTBA delegation that the Governor is unveiling a package that would cut $2.5 billion from the $14 billion Medicaid program. Without getting the state's fiscal house in order, Lavin warned, further bond sales that fund capital projects will be imperiled. Already pending before the General Assembly, the Governor requested authorization to sell an additional $4 billion in bonds that would fund the final round of capital projects from the Illinois Jobs Now! capital program. The legislature requires annual bond authorization to ensure that the projects funded are equitably distributed. Key legislators and staff were also advised that certain costs being charged to the road fund appear to be unrelated to IDOT programs and operations. These hidden diversions will be reviewed to ensure that the road fund maintains its integrity. Procurement reform is also high on the list of legislative priorities for the IRTBA. The State Senate is making real efforts to provide needed action in this arena. The outlook in the House for improving project delivery remains uncertain.

Pictured: The Emerging Leadership Program Class of 2011-12 and Industry Leadership gathered for a photo in the Office of the Governor, Ceremonial Room. Many thanks to the ELP members and industry leaders who attended to advocate for the transportation industry.

Industry News

Support the Elgin O'Hare West Bypass Project!

Public comments for the Elgin O'Hare West Bypass Project will be accepted by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Illinois Tollway through May 14, 2012. The Draft Environmental Impact Study as well as other related materials will be available on the project website at www.elginohare-westbypass.org. IRTBA encourages industry to make comments in support of the project.

The Value of P3: Learning From Experience

Against the background of a fiscally-constrained economy, the public sector is increasingly turning toward Public-Private Partnerships (P3) as a tool to deliver much needed infrastructure projects. Because the U.S. has only recently started to tap into the opportunities that P3s have to offer, an industry conference, The Value of P3: Learning from Experience, was developed with the objective to contribute to the current momentum by bringing together leading practitioners in the field. This day-long seminar will take place on Thursday, May 3 from 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM in Chicago. Attendees will hear from companies participating in several of the most complex P3 projects in the country, the governments that are implementing them, leaders of the finance community, and think-tanks. Click here for more information on the program and speaker lineup. Register today!

Association News

IRTBA Presents at Meeting for Highway Engineers
IRTBA President & CEO Mike Sturino gave an industry Federal & State political update during a presentation to the Illinois Association of Highway Engineers Tuesday. The presentation was very well received. Click here to see a copy.

Illinois Road & Transportation Builders Association

April 20 2012

Edition 2012-16

- Upcoming Events -

Road Builder
University Webinar

Safe 4 the Right Reasons
Wednesday, April 25

Congressman Aaron Schock Fundraiser

Friday, May 4

May General
Membership Meeting
& Green Council
Annual Meeting

Wednesday, May 16

- Safety Week -

Join Safety Media Tour!

Tuesday, April 24

To promote National Work Zone Safety Awareness Week, members of the IRTBA Safety Committee will be visiting local Chicago news stations this Tuesday, April 24. Please R.S.V.P. to show your support and the join the group to advocate for safer work zones this season!

Please contact Beth Tatro

if you or someone in your company is interested in volunteering.

LEARN MORE

- Road Builder Charities -