In Indiana, as throughout America, our transportation systems, energy systems, water resources and school facilities have fallen behind. But we can put thousands of men and women back to work building Indiana, boost our economy and leave behind real assets for future generations.

Investing in Indiana’s basic transportation - our major roadways (a third of which are in poor condition) and bridges (1,927 are structurally deficient and 2,184 are functionally obsolete) - would put the men and women who build Indiana and America back to work creating 463,500 jobs in Indiana over the next twenty years. 

Building Indiana so Indiana Works

Building Indiana so Indiana works starts with making the right investments at the federal level. Delay and inaction will only increase costs and postpone the creation of hundreds of thousands of jobs. The following are some of the key steps this Congress needs to take to build our country.

1. Transportation Bill 
The single most important mechanism to Build Indiana so Indiana Works is through our current transportation investment law – called SAFETEA-LU (Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users) which funds the Highway Trust Fund and invests in the repair, maintenance and building of America's roads, bridges and highways.  It is set to expire on December 31 of this year.

In the House, a new six-year reauthorization of federal highway and transit programs was approved in subcommittee last year. It calls for an investment of $450 billion over six years. Included are $337.4 billion for highway programs, $99.8 billion for public transit, $12.6 billion for highway and motor carrier safety, and $50 billion for high-speed rail over six years.

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee recently begun a series of hearings on a new reauthorization with the stated goal of passing a bill this year. They have not yet produced a draft bill. 

The upcoming transportation bill must provide for at least $565 billion between now and 2015 to meet existing needs - including $375 billion for highways. The last bill invested $286 billion – far short of needs.

2. Water Quality Investment Act of 2010 
The Water Quality Investment Act invests in clean drinking water, wastewater management and pollution control. Although there is bipartisan support for these programs, they have not been reauthorized since 1994. Without a reauthorization it is estimated that water infrastructure funding could face a $300 billion shortfall over the next 20 years. 

In the House, Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Jim Oberstar (D-MN) introduced the Water Quality Investment Act which would invest $13.9 billion over 3 years in clean water.  It has not been brought to the floor for a vote yet. 

In May 2009, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approved the Water Infrastructure Financing Act which would reauthorize $34.7 billion for clean and safe water. The Senate has not scheduled its bill for floor consideration. 

Congress needs to bring the Water Quality Investment Act to the floor and vote for passage.