Highway Trust Fund Reauthorization To Be Delayed At Least Three Months

Acknowledging defeat by a crowded legislative calendar, House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman James Oberstar now seeks a short three month extension of highway funding, rather than the 18 month delay sought by Senate leadership and the Obama administration. The longer delay would put motor fuel tax increases or alternative tax revenue enactments squarely in the lap of Oberstar and his panel colleagues right before the next Congressional elections. Ouch! Oberstar's spokesman acknowledged today that the length of any temporary extension of funding for highway and transit construction will not likely be decided until the waning hours or minutes of this legislative session.