Overall, the six-year, $145 billion proposal contains 20 percent more spending than was provided under the current highway program, which expires September 30. Votes on the Senate bill, as well as a very different proposal moving in the House of Representatives, will be taken next week in the Senate Environment and Public Works and the House Transportation committees.
Senator Grassley's comment:
"This agreement is great news for Iowa. It would give us 13 percent greater return on our federal gas tax dollars than we've been getting over the last five years. Under the new formula advanced by the Senators charged with writing highway legislation, Iowa would receive $36 million more each year for each of the six years in the plan.
"Federal highway dollars help states build highways, bridges, and recreation trails like bike and walking paths. Getting more of those dollars to Iowa will greatly enhance our state's economic base and job creation. Pumping up the federal contribution to revitalizing Iowa's infrastructure is good news for manufacturing, urban development, commerce, tourism, and agriculture.
"I'm also very pleased that the Senate proposal respects the limits established by the balanced budget plan signed by the President this summer."
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