Infrastructure finance discussions are heating up in Washington D.C., and counties are at the table to ensure their priorities are included in the next infrastructure package.

During its May 18 meeting, Lane County Commissioner Heather Buch presented to the Senate Committee on Finance, chaired by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), on the importance of restoring the nation’s infrastructure and highlighted the resources counties, key infrastructure partners, need to help advance the nation’s shared infrastructure goals.

“Our infrastructure duties extend far beyond transportation. Counties annually invest $134 billion in the construction of infrastructure and the maintenance and operation of public works that includes essential community infrastructure, such as airports, schools, hospitals, jails, courthouses, parks, broadband deployment, and water purification and sewage systems,” said Buch in her testimony.

Developing a permanent fix to provide certainty and solvency of the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) Buch said was one of the most crucial actions the committee could undertake to advance the nation’s infrastructure. 

“HTF revenue sources that better account for all users of the road will be critical as transportation technologies that are not reliant on motor fuel continue to be increasingly integrated into the national network,” said Buch.

Pointing to the State of Oregon’s road usage charge pilot program, OReGO, as a model to bring in revenue from new electric or highly fuel-efficient vehicles to HTF, Buch urged the committee to consider a similar model at the federal level. “Counties depend on the long-term certainty and solvency of the HTF to deliver critical infrastructure projects for our many residents and urge Congress to enact a meaningful solution that will counteract the fund’s looming insolvency,” said Buch.

Buch also called for increased opportunities for counties to leverage federal financing for capital projects. Counties currently utilize a number of federal financing resources to support transportation assets, including: Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loans, qualified tax credit bonds, and infrastructure banks and public-private partnerships.

In addition to strengthening the HTF, Buch urged the committee to support reauthorization of the Secure Rural Schools program. This program supports rural communities in providing replacement revenue from falling forest receipts due to decline in timber harvest on non taxable lands. 

Buch covered the important role counties play in the federal-state-local partnership on a myriad of transportation maintenance, preservation, and construction projects to keep the nation moving and support safety in transportation. Critical investments counties are seeking in the next package include: 

  • Off-System Bridges – Counties collectively own 62 percent of these often compromised structures. Due to the placement off federal-aid highways, these bridges have experienced consistent underinvestment, resulting in a backlog of $17.3 billion in deferred maintenance and repair needs and considerable safety concerns.
  • Road Maintenance, Repair, and Replacement of Infrastructure– Counties collectively own and maintain 1.8 million road miles. 
  • Safety – Counties are seeking an investment in safety measures across local communities, urban, suburban, and rural areas.

The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW) introduced bipartisan  highway legislation, the Surface Transportation Act of 2021, following the Senate Finance hearing and the House has signaled it would unveil its package near the end of May. 

The package is anticipated to be the first significant infrastructure investment in years, and counties; commissioners, judges, and chairs; the Association of Oregon Counties; and the National Association of Counties have continued to work with members of Congress and have advocated for county needs throughout investment discussions.

To read more about county needs in the next infrastructure package, click here.

Contributed by: Megan Chuinard | Public Affairs Associate