Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee Sends Bill To Full Committee - Highlights

  • 7 June 2018
  • Author: Mike Miller
  • Number of views: 552
  • 0 Comments

On June 5 the Senate Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Appropriations Subcommittee (THUD) approved its FY2019 appropriations bill including funding for transportation infrastructure development.

 

The bill provides $71.4 billion in discretionary spending for DOT, Housing & Urban Development, and other agencies.  Funding for the entire bill is $1.1 billion above FY2018 enacted levels. The bill will go to the full Senate Appropriations Committee on June 8.

Federal Transit Administration Publishes Private Investment Project Procedures

  • 31 May 2018
  • Author: Mike Miller
  • Number of views: 655
  • 0 Comments

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is issuing a final rule describing new, experimental procedures to encourage increased project management flexibility, more innovation in project funding, improved efficiency, timely project implementation, and new project revenue streams for public transportation capital projects. A primary goal of this final rule is to address impediments to the greater use of public-private partnerships and private investment in public transportation capital projects. FTA anticipates using the lessons learned from these experimental procedures to develop more effective approaches to including private participation and investment in project planning, project development, finance, design, construction, maintenance, and operations.

 

The final rule’s effective date is June 29, 2018.  The final rule is here.

FTA Announces $25.8 Million for Transit Planning

  • 24 May 2018
  • Author: Mike Miller
  • Number of views: 602
  • 0 Comments
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced the availability of $25.8 million in grant funds to support comprehensive planning associated with new fixed guideway and core capacity improvement projects.  Applications are due July 23, 2018.

Mulvaney Not Onboard With House BUILD and CIG Approps

Letter to Chairman Expresses Concerns

  • 22 May 2018
  • Author: Mike Miller
  • Number of views: 624
  • 0 Comments
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Mick Mulvaney expressed misgivings about several transportation provisions included the House version of the FY 2019 Transportation HUD (THUD) Appropriations bill passed last week in subcommittee.

If You're Not Already Preparing for Revenue Raisers, You're Not Doing It Right

The Department of the Treasury is steadily making progress on writing guidance for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and have announced a tentative release schedule: June/July for the passthrough deduction, late summer/early fall for the new limitations on interest expense, and December for the big international provisions (e.g. GILTI and BEAT).

 

In the meantime, the Committee on Ways and Means is contemplating a second round of tax cuts, or Tax Reform 2.0 as they like to call it. They are aiming to make permanent the new individual provisions as well as full expensing for businesses.
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Overview

The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) serves as the primary vehicle through which Congress authorizes U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil works projects and establishes policy frameworks for water resource development nationwide. Enacted on a biennial schedule, WRDAs provide congressional authorization for USACE to conduct feasibility studies, construct flood risk reduction projects, improve navigation infrastructure, restore aquatic ecosystems, and assist with environmental infrastructure development.
Since the enactment of WRDA 1986, Congress has used these omnibus authorization bills to both create new USACE authorities and refine existing programs based on evolving national priorities and lessons learned from program implementation. Recent WRDAs have addressed critical issues including drought resilience, water supply development, infrastructure modernization, and support for economically disadvantaged communities.
The most recent legislation, the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA 2024, P.L. 118-272), continued Congress's bipartisan commitment to strengthening America's water infrastructure by authorizing new construction projects, modifying existing authorities, and establishing updated policy guidance for USACE operations. WRDA 2024 also authorized five new regional environmental infrastructure programs, each incorporating flexible delivery mechanisms that allow federal assistance to be provided through grants or reimbursements to nonfederal sponsors.
Authorization through WRDA is typically a prerequisite for USACE activities to receive federal appropriations through the annual Energy and Water Development appropriations process. This two-step framework—authorization followed by appropriation—ensures congressional oversight of both program scope and funding levels.
Section 219 of WRDA 1992, as amended, represents one of USACE's most geographically expansive environmental infrastructure assistance authorities. Originally enacted to authorize design assistance for 18 specific projects, Section 219 has been amended by subsequent Congresses to authorize both design and construction assistance for water-related environmental infrastructure in hundreds of municipalities, counties, and states across the nation.
The Congressional Research Service has identified over 600 environmental infrastructure assistance authorities with cumulative authorizations of appropriations totaling approximately $18.1 billion. Section 219 authorities constitute the majority of these geographically specific project authorizations, covering at least 46 states, the District of Columbia, and four U.S. territories.
Section 219 projects address critical community needs including wastewater treatment facilities, water supply and distribution systems, stormwater management infrastructure, surface water protection, and environmental restoration. These projects support public health, environmental quality, and economic development in communities that have secured congressional authorization for USACE assistance.
Congress has continued to expand Section 219 in recent legislation. WRDA 2022 added 132 new Section 219 authorities and amended 24 existing authorities. WRDA 2024 authorized an additional 193 new Section 219 authorities and amended 53 existing authorities, providing a combined $5.4 billion increase in authorization of appropriations. WRDA 2024 also established a seven-year pilot program to increase the federal cost share from 75 percent to 90 percent for Section 219 projects benefiting economically disadvantaged communities.
Unlike traditional USACE water resource projects, Section 219 assistance does not require completion of the agency's standard feasibility study process. However, projects receiving Section 219 assistance must comply with applicable federal environmental laws, including the National Environmental Policy Act.
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Alex Yiannoutsos
/ Categories: News, News & Alerts

TFG Presents Earmarks Lessons Learned in ICMA Annual Conference Workshop

TFG appropriations veterans will provide local government leaders key information to help secure federal earmarked funding.

COLUMBUS, OH. Today, TFG federal funding experts will present “Earmark Debrief: Lessons Learned and Tips for Success” at the 2022 Annual International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Conference. TFG helped clients secure over $54 million in earmarked funds in Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22). In this presentation, Jennifer Imo, TFG Managing Partner of Client Services, and Kristi More, TFG Managing Partner of Strategic Development, will work directly with communities to help them identify the best projects for federal funding and give them tips on the information needed to set those communities up for success in the FY 24 appropriations process.

“I’ve worked with communities across the country to secure earmarked funds for two decades,” said Jennifer Imo. “Amidst administration changes and evolving priorities in Washington, TFG has been nimble in adjusting our strategies to ensure local governments are armed with the resources necessary to meet their community needs. I’m excited to strategize with local leaders face-to-face to set their priority projects up for success!”

“I’ve been lucky to work with communities from across the country in my over 20 years with TFG,” said Kristi More. “The return of earmarks over the last two appropriations cycles has offered another important source of funding for priority projects. I can’t wait to cut through the noise and share the lessons learned with local government leaders so they can effectively meet their community goals.”

This presentation follows the workshop TFG held called “Demystifying Earmarks: Secure Federal Funding for Your Community” at the 2021 Annual ICMA Conference on October 3, 2021. The ICMA Annual Conference brings together thousands of government management professionals for presentations, workshops, and events to equip attendees with the tools they need to strengthen their own communities. TFG is a longtime ICMA Strategic Partner and an annual sponsor of a scholarship to The Harvard Kennedy School Executive Program Scholarship for senior level city and county managers that are ICMA members.

Join the Conversation

What:     Earmark Debrief: Lessons Learned and Tips for Success

Who:      Jennifer Imo, Managing Partner of Client Services

               Kristi More, Managing Partner of Strategic Development

Where:  ICMA 2022 Annual Conference, Columbus, OH. (in-person and online)

When:    Monday, September 19, 2022; 1:15PM ET

Register: ICMA 2022 Annual Conference

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