The volume of tax-exempt private activity bonds is limited by statewide volume ceilings currently set at the greater of $50 per resident or $150 million. The tax-exempt private activity bonds allow financing of transportation facilities (such as airports, docks and mass transit), municipal services (such as water, sewer and solid waste facilities), and certain economic development projects.

AASHTO Will Pressure Congress to Pass Extension of AIP: Next week, state transportation officials will meet with their Representatives and Senators to discuss the expected consequences for airport projects if the Airport Improvement Program is allowed to lapse past March 31. The officials will emphasize that a lapse in the AIP will result in a loss of the spring construction season. AASHTO is also supporting Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bud Shuster’s (R-PA) plan to spend the monies in the Aviation Trust Fund to improve our nation’s airports.

Paperwork and Mandates Pass: The Mandates Information Act, H.R. 350, and the Small Business Paperwork Reduction Act Amendments, H.R. 391, proved to be very controversial legislation last week. Both bills passed, but had to defeat weakening amendments. Congressman Waxman (D-CA.) attempted to amend the Mandates Information Act by allowing for a point of order on legislation that would "roll back" environmental standards. This amendment failed 203-216. Congressman Kucinich (D-OH.) attempted to amend the paperwork act by providing penalty relief, not a complete waiver. His amendment failed 210-214.

Secretary to Face Tough Questions: On Thursday March 11th, the full House Committee on Appropriations will host Labor Secretary Alexis Herman. The Secretary is expected to face questions from committee members on a variety of topics. AGC is hopeful that the committee will highlight the deficiencies of OSHA's proposed safety and health program rule. Construction firms are already overburdened with paperwork and record keeping requirements that take time away from real safety and health concerns. The proposed rule would significantly increase total hours dedicated to paperwork compliance, with virtually no measurable increase in worker safety. Additionally, the Secretary is expected to hear from Representatives who, like the AGC, are very concerned about the onward march of the disastrous ergonomics standard. Concerned House members hope to call attention to these and other similar issues before Assistant Secretary for OSHA Charles Jeffress appears before their Subcommittee on Labor and Health on March 17th.