Mulvaney Not Onboard With House BUILD and CIG Approps

Letter to Chairman Expresses Concerns

  • 22 May 2018
  • Author: Mike Miller
  • Number of views: 654
  • 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.

Airlines FTEs Doing OK

  • 21 May 2018
  • Author: Mike Miller
  • Number of views: 675
  • 0 Comments
The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) reported on May 17th that US scheduled passenger airlines employed 2.8 % more workers in March 2018 than a year ago. This was the highest monthly full-time equivelent (FTE) employment total (434,243 FTEs) since December 2004 (436,909) and the 53rd consecutive month of exceeding the same month of the previous year.

BUILD: Funding Increase + Focus On Rural = Stiff Urban Competition

  • 21 May 2018
  • Author: Mike Miller
  • Number of views: 638
  • 0 Comments
The first round of the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program will provide $1.5 billion for infrastructure projects – three times the amount available in most rounds of TIGER.  Notwithstanding this increase, one might caution would-be applicants to think about other words that could be used to fill out the BUILD acronym: Better Understand Impacts (of) Limited Dollars.  The Administration’s emphasis on rural projects and limits on awards per state, coupled with the perception of a major increase in awards by way of increased funding availability, could potentially – and beguilingly – result in more competition and tighter funding for urban projects.

House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee Reports FY 2019 Spending Bill

  • 16 May 2018
  • Author: Mike Miller
  • Number of views: 693
  • 0 Comments
Democrats Object To Policy Riders And Lack Of Budget Context
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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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Grant Due: FY 2025-2029 Residential (Group Home, Shelter, Transitional Foster Care) Services for Unaccompanied Alien Children

WHAT DOES IT FUND? The purpose of this program is to provide temporary residential care to unaccompanied alien children by supporting group home, shelter, and transitional foster care (TFC) providers that specialize in high-quality care of children. Click here for more information.

WHO'S ELIGIBLE? State and local governments, educational institutions, Native American tribal governments, non-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, small businesses, and faith-based and community organizations

TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT? $1.5 billion

WHEN IS IT DUE? October 14, 2025; April 1, 2026; September 1, 2028

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Grant Due: FY 2025 & 2026 Small Surface Water and Groundwater Storage Projects (Small Storage Program) (Reissued)

WHAT DOES IT FUND? This program provides funding for small surface water and groundwater storage projects to enhance water storage opportunities for future generations. This program supports stakeholder efforts to stretch scarce water supplies and avoid conflicts over water in the 17 western states, Alaska, and Hawaii. Click here for more information.

WHO'S ELIGIBLE? State, county, city or township, and special district governments; Native American Tribal governments and organizations; 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations; and joint powers authorities located in the 17 western United States, as identified in the Reclamation Act of 1902

TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT? $43.5 million

WHEN IS IT DUE? April 17, 2026

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US Congressional Calendar

Alex Yiannoutsos

TFG President and CEO Share Federal Funding Insights at California Water Resources Roundtables

Roger Gwinn and Mark Limbaugh discussed federal funding available for western water priorities at the annual ACWA Conference and Virtual Roundtable.

SACRAMENTO, CA. – Roger Gwinn, The Ferguson Group (TFG) CEO, and Mark Limbaugh, TFG President, presented at the Association of Water Administrators (ACWA) roundtables: in May, the 2022 Spring Conference “Accessing Federal Funding” and in June, the Virtual Roundtable Discussion on Federal Funding. Mr. Gwinn and President Limbaugh shared key insights with water and waste water providers on federal funding opportunities available through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Department of the Interior – Bureau of Reclamation. Additionally, they provided information on funding available to stakeholders in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (or Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021) and best practices to access these programs.

“I was pleased to join this year’s federal funding roundtable discussions to discuss USDA water programs and other available federal funding opportunities,” said Roger Gwinn. “The federal investment in drinking, waste, and habitat water resources is vital to strengthen communities across California and the Western United States. The knowledge participants gained from these roundtables will make them more competitive applicants for the federal resources they need to achieve their communities’ water goals.”

“These roundtables couldn’t have come at a better time with California entering its third year of drought,” said Mark Limbaugh. “I enjoyed discussing available federal funding from the Department of the Interior – Bureau of Reclamation Programs with participants. There are billions of dollars available in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law alone to improve water efficiency efforts that could have a lasting positive impact in California.”

The ACWA Spring Conference and Exhibition brings together a wide array of California water stakeholders to learn about a variety of local, statewide, and federal water issues and to connect with fellow members of the California water community for insights into best practices. Due to the event’s popularity, the “Accessing Federal Funding” roundtable was added to build upon lessons learned during the Conference.

Mr. Gwinn and Mr. Limbaugh each have over two decades of water resources and federal funding experience. Mr. Gwinn leads the TFG’s representation of large-scale, regional water resources, environmental protection, and economic development initiatives. Mr. Limbaugh specializes in strategic policy and legislative guidance to clients on water, irrigation, energy, and natural resource management issues. He previously served as Assistant Secretary for Water and Science at the Department of the Interior. Mark also served more than three years as Deputy Commissioner for External and Intergovernmental Affairs at the Bureau of Reclamation.

For more information about TFG, please visit our website at www.thefergusongroup.com.

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Latest TFG News

27 March 2026

SS4A Program Now Open!

HOT GRANT ALERT

The U.S. Department of Transportation has opened the FY 2026 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Program, with approximately $993.5 million available. Applications are due May 26, 2026. We wanted to make sure you had the details in case this aligns with work your organization is currently planning or pursuing.

A summary of the program is below, along with a link to our full TFG Profile Summary for additional detail.

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