AASHTO Co-Signs Letter Seeking ARP Guidance from Treasury Department
editor@aashto.org April 2, 2021 0 COMMENTS
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials co-signed a March 28 letter with 35 other transportation organizations to Janet Yellen, secretary of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, to provide “clear guidance and flexibility” regarding the use of American Rescue Plan or ARP funds to support transportation infrastructure projects .
[Above photo of Treasury Department headquarters by Matt Robinson.]
Joung Lee, AASHTO director of policy and government relations, noted that the $150 billion in general state/local aid incorporated within the $2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security or CARES Act legislation passed in March 2020 “took a while to spend down” as states received “unclear and changing guidance” from the Treasury Department at the time.
While the $350 billion in general state/local aid issued by the ARP “is much more flexible,” AASHTO noted it “does not specify transportation being as an eligible expenditure.”
That is why the group’s letter calls upon the Treasury Department to issue a guidance that explicitly says transportation is eligible, so states have certainty that they can spend the funds on transportation projects.
“States and local transportation revenues were hit hard by COVID-19, with 49 states publicly projecting declines,” the letter noted. “State departments of transportation are also facing at least $18 billion in estimated revenue shortfall through 2024.”
That is why providing “clear guidance and flexibility” on the use of ARP funds for transportation infrastructure projects “will be critical to ensuring funds are used expeditiously and with maximum impact.”
RELATED ARTICLES
Transportation TV
April 22, 1921: After War-Related Delays, an Ocean Liner Finally Embarks on Her Maiden Voyage
The ocean liner RMS Arundel Castle, under the command of Captain T.J. Bremner, departed the city of Southampton in southern England for her maiden voyage. This vessel, which had been built for the Union-Castle Mail Steamship Company Limited (Union Castle Line), made her way to Cape Town, South Africa, on that inaugural trip.
Read more ➡️ link in bio ...
Founded 51 years ago, Earth Day is a global celebration that is raising public awareness and support for protection of the environment. One of the campaign’s objectives is to get everyone to play a role – no matter what they do or where they live and work. This video highlights the many ways that the Minnesota Department of Transportation and other state DOTs are leading in the areas of sustainability and environmental stewardship. The video – entitled “Every Day is Earth Day at Minnesota DOT” – features an interview with the agency’s commissioner, Margaret Anderson Kelliher. She also serves as chairman of the Committee on Environment and Sustainability for the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. Kelliher details the Minnesota DOT’s successful efforts to shrink its carbon footprint, advance renewable energy consumption, plus safeguard and beautify the environment around the construction sites managed the agency. She also speaks candidly about her concerns and hopes for the future as we celebrate Earth Day 2021.
Watch now by clicking the link in our bio. #EarthDay2021 ...