23 July 2018

Shuster Releases Draft Infrastructure Bill

Chairman Bill Shuster of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee today released a legislative discussion draft outlining his plan to invest in the nation’s infrastructure, including transportation and water infrastructure. Draft bill language, a section-by-section outline, and other information is here.

The draft bill includes the following provisions related to transportation:

  • Highway Trust Fund Commission. The Commission will submit a report to Congress that includes recommendations to achieve the long-term solvency of the HTF and the corresponding legislation required to enact those recommendations (Section 101). 
  • National, volunteer-based pilot program to demonstrate whether a per-mile user fee can replace the existing user fees on gasoline and diesel. Volunteers can be owners of both passenger vehicles and commercial motor vehicles, as well as an owner of a fleet commercial of motor vehicles (Section 102).
  • Eliminates the reduced user fee on fuel used by certain intercity and local public transportation buses. The reduced user fee on fuel used by school buses remains in effect (Section 111).
  • Electric battery tax.  Establishes a 10 percent user fee on the wholesale price of electric batteries used to propel motor vehicles (Section 113).
  • Bicycle tire tax. Establishes a 10 percent user fee on the wholesale price of bicycle tires used on adult bicycles (Section 114).
  • Motor fuel tax increase. The federal user fees on gasoline and diesel fuel by 15 cents per gallon and 20 cents per gallon, respectively. These increases are phased in over a period of three calendar years (Section 121).
  • National Infrastructure Investments Program. The Secretary of Transportation is directed to award grants on a competitive basis to eligible applicants; there is a 30% set aside for projects in rural areas (Section 201).
  • Nationally significant transportation projects. A set-aside and a transparent process for a future Congress to authorize nationally significant transportation projects; the process is similar to that used to authorize new projects in recent Water Resources Development Acts.

The draft legislation also includes sections related to accelerating project delivery including “One Federal Decision” and the establishment of a pilot program on the use of innovative practices for environmental reviews and project finance.

In a press release Chairman Shuster wrote, “The 2016 presidential campaign shined a spotlight on America’s crumbling infrastructure.  Since Election Day, the American people have waited for action by their federal elected representatives, and I am just as frustrated as they are that we have yet to seriously consider a responsible, thoughtful proposal.  That is why I have released  a discussion draft that reflects input from Members on both sides of the aisle, as well as a broad group of infrastructure stakeholders interested in building a 21st century infrastructure for our country.”

Chairman Shuster’s draft includes provisions of interest to both Republicans and Democrats but some observers aver it is but a Chairman’s draft only and not a bipartisan package.  While the bill is unlikely to move through the committee structure during the remainder of this Congress it is likely to move the infrastructure financing discussion forward, especially given the tax provisions included in the draft.

 


Blog TopicTransportation
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Grant Due: FY 2024 Rural Community Innovations: Transportation Planning Grant

FY 2024 Rural Community Innovations: Transportation Planning Grant

WHAT DOES IT FUND? This program offers funding for communities to develop a transportation plan that addresses accessibility and equity. Planning activities will identify transportation barriers, consider current and future community needs, actively engage older adults and people with disabilities in the process, and create or strengthen multi-sector collaborative partnerships. Click here for more information.

WHO'S ELIGIBLE? Rural, local, and regional private nonprofit or government organizations, including but not limited to: public transit agencies, councils of government, metropolitan or rural planning organizations, tribal agencies, area agencies on aging, community action agencies, centers for independent living, disability service organizations, and community organizations involved in the administration, delivery, or coordination of public transit, human services transportation, aging, or disability services

TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT? $420,000 

WHEN'S IT DUE? June 7, 2024

Read more
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Grant Due (JustGrants): FY 2024 Preventing Trafficking of Girls

FY 2024 Preventing Trafficking of Girls

WHAT DOES IT FUND? The purpose of this program is to support prevention and early intervention services for girls who are at risk of, or are victims of, sex and/or labor trafficking. Click here for more information.

WHO'S ELIGIBLE? State, territory, city, town, or county governments; public-controlled, state-controlled, or private institutions of higher education; public and Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations and tribal governments; and nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status

TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT? $3.5 million

WHEN'S IT DUE? May 8, 2024 

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Grant Due (Grants.gov): FY 2024 Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program

FY 2024 Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program

WHAT DOES IT FUND? The purpose of this program is to support cross-system collaboration to improve public safety responses and outcomes for individuals with mental health disorders or co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Click here for more information.

WHO'S ELIGIBLE? State and territorial governments, special district governments, county, city, and township governments, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education

TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT? $13.75 million

WHEN'S IT DUE? May 9, 2024 

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Grant Due: FY 2024 Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program, Incarcerated Veterans' Transition Program, and the Homeless Women Veterans' and Homeless Veterans' with Children Reintegration Program

FY 2024 Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program, Incarcerated Veterans' Transition Program, and the Homeless Women Veterans' and Homeless Veterans' with Children Reintegration Program

WHAT DOES IT FUND? This program provides employment and training services to assist in reintegrating homeless veterans into meaningful employment within the labor force and to stimulate the development of effective service delivery systems that will address the complex problems facing homeless veterans. Click here for more information.

WHO'S ELIGIBLE? Local and state governments, workforce development boards, Native American Tribes and Tribal organizations and institutions, non-profits, and academic institutions

TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT? $12 million

WHEN'S IT DUE? May 11, 2024

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Grant Due (JustGrants): FY 2024 Improving Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment and Recovery Outcomes for Adults in Reentry

FY 2024 Improving Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment and Recovery Outcomes for Adults in Reentry

WHAT DOES IT FUND? The purpose of this program is to establish, expand, or improve treatment and recovery support services for people with SUDs during their incarceration and upon reentry into the community. Click here for more information.

WHO'S ELIGIBLE? City or township governments, county governments, Native American tribal governments, Native American tribal organizations, special district governments, state governments and nonprofits

TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT? $5 million

WHEN'S IT DUE? May 13, 2024

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Grant Due (Grants.gov): FY 2024 Demonstration Program on Trauma-Informed, Victim-Centered Training for Law Enforcement on Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Program

FY 2024 Demonstration Program on Trauma-Informed, Victim-Centered Training for Law Enforcement on Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, and Stalking Program

WHAT DOES IT FUND? This program supports efforts to improve law enforcement’s response to allegations of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking from the time of a victim’s initial report throughout the entire investigation, and to promote the efforts of law enforcement in improving the response to these crimes. Click here for more information.

WHO'S ELIGIBLE? State, territorial, local, and/or tribal law enforcement agencies that investigate crimes of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and/or stalking

TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT? $4.5 million

WHEN'S IT DUE? May 17, 2024

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Grant Due: FY 2024 Enhancing Reviews and Surveillance to Eliminate Maternal Mortality

FY 2024 Enhancing Reviews and Surveillance to Eliminate Maternal Mortality 

WHAT DOES IT FUND? This program supports the capacity for developing and implementing data-informed strategies to prevent pregnancy-related deaths and reduce disparities among disproportionately impacted populations by improving data availability and quality to better identify and characterize pregnancy-related deaths and related health inequities. Click here for more information.

WHO'S ELIGIBLE? Agencies and organizations that coordinate and manage maternal mortality review committees (MMRCs) including state or local governments, academic institutions, Native American tribes, nonprofit organizations, private sector organizations, schools and school districts, and tribal organizations/institutions

TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT? $133.7 million

WHEN'S IT DUE? May 20, 2024

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Grant Due: FY 2024 Regional Alliances and Multistakeholder Partnerships to Stimulate Cybersecurity Education and Workforce Development

FY 2024 Regional Alliances and Multistakeholder Partnerships to Stimulate Cybersecurity Education and Workforce Development

WHAT DOES IT FUND? This program seeks to establish community-based partnerships to develop cybersecurity career pathways that address local workforce needs. Click here for more information.

WHO'S ELIGIBLE? State, local, territorial, and Indian tribal governments, accredited institutions of higher education, K-12 public education schools, and school districts; nonprofit organizations, for-profit organizations incorporated in the United States, and foreign public entities and organizations

TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT? Unspecified

WHEN'S IT DUE? May 24, 2024

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Grant Due (Grants.gov): FY 2024 Community-Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative (CVIPI)

FY 2024 Community-Based Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative (CVIPI)

WHAT DOES IT FUND? This program provides funding to prevent and reduce violent crime in communities by supporting comprehensive, evidence-based violence intervention and prevention programming. Click here for more information.

WHO'S ELIGIBLE? Local, state, special district, and federally recognized Native American and Alaska Native tribal governments, corporations, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, independent school districts, nonprofits, and institutions of higher education

TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT? $72 million

WHEN'S IT DUE? May 30, 2024

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Grant Due: FY 2024 Local Government Energy Program: Communities Sparking Investment in Transformative Energy

FY 2024 Local Government Energy Program: Communities Sparking Investment in Transformative Energy

WHAT DOES IT FUND? The purpose of this program is to support programs and projects at the local level that reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, save customers money, create local jobs, improve air quality, combat climate change, and focus benefits on disadvantaged communities. Click here for more information.

WHO'S ELIGIBLE? Local governments and tribal governments that represent disadvantaged communities, energy communities, or small- and medium sized jurisdictions

TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT? $18 million

WHEN'S IT DUE? May 31, 2024

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Grant Due: FY 2023-2025 Residential Treatment Center Services for Unaccompanied Children

FY 2023-2025 Residential Treatment Center Services for Unaccompanied Children  

WHAT DOES IT FUND? The purpose of this program is to provide temporary shelter care and other services to unaccompanied children by supporting eligible residential treatment center (RTC) care providers that specialize in the high quality care of children who have psychiatric or psychological issues that cannot be addressed in an outpatient setting and will require heightened behavioral and/or mental health support. Click here for more information.

WHO'S ELIGIBLE? Residential treatment center (RTC) care providers, including: state and local governments, special district governments, independent school districts, private, public, and state-controlled institutions of higher education, Federally recognized Native American tribal governments, public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations, nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status, and for-profit organizations, including small businesses and Faith based and community organizations 

TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT? $50 million

WHEN'S IT DUE? June 3, 2024

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Grant Due (JustGrants): FY 2024 Arts Programs for Justice Involved Youth

FY 2024 Arts Programs for Justice Involved Youth

WHAT DOES IT FUND? This program will develop, enhance, or expand high-quality arts programs for current and previous justice-involved youth, including tribal and Indigenous youth, to reduce juvenile delinquency, recidivism, and/or other problem and high-risk behaviors. Click here for more information.

WHO'S ELIGIBLE? County, city, or township governments, federally recognized tribal governments and organizations, nonprofit organizations; and public or private institutions of higher education

TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT? $200,000

WHEN'S IT DUE? June 4, 2024

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Grant Due (Grants.gov): FY 2024 Youth Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program

FY 2024 Youth Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program 

WHAT DOES IT FUND? This program supports cross-system collaboration to improve responses and outcomes for youth under the age of 18 or youth under the jurisdiction of the juvenile justice system with mental health disorders (MHD) or co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders (MHSUDs) who come in contact with the juvenile justice system. Click here for more information.

WHO'S ELIGIBLE? State governments, special district governments, city or township governments, county governments, federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and public and state-controlled institutions of higher education

TOTAL FUNDING AMOUNT? $4 million 

WHEN'S IT DUE? June 8, 2024

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US Congressional Calendar

27 November 2023

TFG Presents 2024 Congressional Calendar

The Ferguson Group (TFG) compiled a 2024 Congressional Calendar with session and recess dates for the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate 118th congressional session. 

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Marcusleen previously served as TFG Staff Accountant in 2007-2010 and returns as Controller.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – TFG is pleased to welcome Marcusleen Jones back to the firm as Controller. Marcusleen previously served as TFG Staff Accountant from 2007 until 2010. Marcusleen joins the firm with decades of accounting experience and is a Certified Public Accountant with the Virginia State Board of Accountancy. She will serve in a pivotal role in ensuring TFG financials and client operations continue to run efficiently.

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