Administration Releases Legislative Outline for Infrastructure Plan
The plan focuses on a $200 billion authorization over ten years, with the goal of stimulating $1.5 trillion total in improvements by incentivizing investment from state and local governments as well as private firms. The plan includes $100 billion in direct grants to local governments to help trigger investment, $50 billion to projects in rural areas in the form of block grants, $20 billion to large projects that can "lift the American spirit," and $30 billion for miscellaneous existing infrastructure programs. Read the administration's Legislative Outline here.
SRF-WIN Acts Introduced in
both Senate and House
On Friday, January 30, NUCA's lobbying efforts paid off as a version of the Securing Required Funding for Water Infrastructure Now Act (SRF-WIN Act) was introduced in both chambers of Congress by Sen. John Boozmen (R-AR) and Rep. John Katko (R-NY). The bills authorize $1 billion in funding for water infrastructure projects over five years. Please send letters to your members of Congress to ensure these bills pass. View the bills here and here.
White House Releases
Fiscal Year 2019 Budget
The proposal for fiscal year 2019 includes $200 billion for infrastructure spending, including: $1b for operating, maintaining, and rehabilitating existing water infrastructure;
$200m for apprenticeships and a call for a workforce development plan; level funding for the HTF; $2b SRF capitalization and $20m for WIFIA; and more. Click here for an in depth breakdown of the budget and infrastructure plan by Will Brown. Read the budget here.
EPA Suspends 2015 WOTUS Rule
Enforcement of the rule has been put on hold for two years. Additionally, the legal process of rescinding the rule has begun. During the suspension and potential removal of the controversial rule, the current administration will begin work on a new solution to the questions of "providing long-term regulatory certainty across all 50 states" and a clearer definition of "what land is subject to federal regulation." Read more here.