SOTU Analysis: Rebuilding America

In this series of blog posts, Senator Coons' legislative staff shares their analysis of the President's State of the Union address with Delawareans.

In his State of the Union address, President Obama reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening our economy by rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure. Improving our nation's infrastructure is critical to ensuring our long-term competitiveness in the global marketplace.

President Obama proposed a “Fix-It-First” program to "put people to work as soon as possible on our most urgent repairs, like the nearly 70,000 structurally deficient bridges across the country."  He also stated that "to make sure taxpayers don¹t shoulder the whole burden, I¹m also proposing a Partnership to Rebuild America that attracts private capital to upgrade what our businesses need most: modern ports to move our goods; modern pipelines to withstand a storm; modern schools worthy of our children."

Senator Coons believes we must make critical investments in our nation's infrastructure to ensure that goods can reach markets, employees can access jobs, and businesses are incentivized to invest in new production facilities here in the United States. He also believes that we must leverage private investment to do so. That's why Chris has supported the creation of a national infrastructure bank to bring more private investment into infrastructure projects. A national infrastructure bank would help state and local governments finance repairs to their critical infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, tunnels, airports, railways, energy networks, water and sewer systems.

Chris is also a leading advocate for deepening the Delaware River from 40 feet to 45 feet in order to accommodate larger cargo vessels. This project is expected to bring an additional 75,000 direct and indirect jobs throughout the Delaware Valley, as well as an increase of 2.5 million tons of cargo per year to the area¹s ports. Chris is also a cosponsor of the bipartisan Harbor Maintenance Act, a revenue-neutral bill that requires the fees collected from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund to be used for just that purpose, maintaining ports nationwide.

Chris is also a strong supporter of Amtrak and high-speed rail development and he fought hard for a long-term reauthorization of the transportation bill. He was proud to support the bipartisan Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act, which provides $105 billion for the nation's surface transportation programs through fiscal year 2014, and will save and create around three million jobs nationwide.

Senator Coons urges quick passage of job-creating transportation bill

Today, Senator Coons joined more than half dozen of his Senate colleagues in calling for immediate passage of a transportation bill that could save or create nearly three million jobs.

Legislation supporting critical investments in America’s roads and bridges is set to expire at the end of this month. The Senate has already passed a long-term extension of the bill, which Chris strongly supported because it makes the kind of sensible, predictable investments that companies need to hire new workers. . The  Senate version was crafted and passed with strong bipartisan support, but a more partisan version passed the House. At today’s event, Senator Coons and his colleagues made clear that jobs depend on the Senate version being signed into law. 

“In times like these, our economy depends on efficient transit,” Chris said. “In order to hire, companies need certainty, reliability, predictability. The Senate-passed bill provides that certainty that allows companies to hire new crews.”

Senator Coons was joined at Wednesday’s event by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), the chairwoman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, as well as Senators Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), John Kerry (D-Mass.), Mark Begich (D-Alaska), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Mary Landrieu (D-La.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.).

To learn more about Chris’ work on transportation, click here.

Delaware ranks in the top ten of bicycle-friendly states

For the first time since the League of American Bicyclists started its annual national ranking of bicycle-friendly states in 2008, Delaware is ranked in the top ten. Delaware has continued to become more bicycle-friendly over the years with a significant leap from last year when Delaware was ranked 18th, and in 2008 when the state was ranked 31st. 

Delaware’s number 10 ranking was based on a number of key indicators, including infrastructure and funding that provide on-the-ground bicycle facilities; education and programs that promote cycling; and passage of bicycle-friendly laws, such as the 3-foot passing law championed by the Delaware Bicycle Council, which increases safety for bicyclists of all ages.

Delaware’s jump to the 10th slot is due to support from officials at the local, state, and national level who are leading the way by creating a multi-modal transportation system. Senator Coons has worked hard with other members of the Delaware Congressional Delegation and Governor Markell to utilize federal funding originally secured by former Congressman Castle, as well as state resources for the construction of a recreational trail on the banks of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. 

Click here to learn more about Chris’ work to promote transportation development.

Click here to learn more about Chris’ work to help develop the C&D Canal.

Video: Senators Coons, Begich urge House to pass highways bill

U.S. Senators Chris Coons and Mark Begich spoke on the Senate floor about the critical need for the U.S. House of Representatives to vote on the Senate highway bill - Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (S. 1813), which passed the Senate earlier this month.

Senator Coons supports transportation bill, ports provision

Senator Coons joined his colleagues in the Senate in passing a bipartisan two-year transportation reauthorization last week. This bill includes funding for Amtrak and passenger rail programs, freight rail, bus and public transit, as well as bicycling and pedestrian program. In addition, the reauthorization saves or creates 2.9 million jobs and is fully paid for.

The bill also took a big step towards finally fixing the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) by including a “sense of the Senate” resolution stating we must act to address the chronic backlog of harbor maintenance projects at ports across the country. The resolution supports a bill introduced by Senator Carl Levin of Michigan, the bipartisan Harbor Maintenance Act of 2011, a revenue-neutral bill that requires the fees collected from the HMTF to be used for just that purpose, maintaining ports nationwide.

Currently, importers must pay a fee for utilization of U.S. ports, which is deposited into the HMTF to pay for operation and maintenance of our nations harbors. In recent years the fund has generated a surplus of over $5 billion. However, that surplus is not being spent on our maritime infrastructure, despite the fact that our navigable channels and ports are deteriorating.

The Army Corps of Engineers estimates that the nation’s 59 busiest ports are available less than 35% of the time because they are inadequately maintained. Chris believes this situation is holding back economic growth and job creation and that we must act to ensure that we have the necessary resources to maintain our ports and rivers, which is why he is a cosponsor of the Harbor Maintenance Act.

In 2010 alone, the ports and waterways of the United States were responsible for more than $1.4 trillion in waterborne commerce. The Port of Wilmington is critical to Delaware’s economy and is North America's number one seaport for imports of fresh fruit, bananas, and juice concentrate. The port’s operations generated over 4,300 direct jobs and about 12,500 related jobs in 2011. Under-maintained maritime channels increase the risk of groundings and the cost of shipping, potentially damaging Delaware’s environment and economy.

This issue is important to the Port of Wilmington and full funding of the HMTF is supported by the Delaware Maritime community and the local International Longshoreman’s Association. Chris has been a vocal supporter of the need to invest in our nation’s infrastructure, and believes that they will not only create jobs in the short run but also enhance our long-term economic competitiveness.

While this “sense of the Senate” resolution is an important step and puts the Senate on the record as supporting the goals of the Harbor Maintenance Act, it is not binding and stronger legislation is needed to ensure that the Port of Wilmington and other ports and their commercial waterways remain safe and open for business. Chris will continue to advocate for the bi-partisan Harbor Maintenance Act and hopes that the Senate will act soon on this legislation. 

Senator Coons sees job opportunities in Delaware River dredging

It has been a big week for the Delaware River, and for the new jobs that will come to the region when the river is deepened to accommodate larger ships and more trade.

On Wednesday, Senator Coons announced that the Army Corps of Engineers designated nearly $17 million for the dredging project in their 2012 work plan. Today, the release of President Obama’s budget plan for Fiscal Year 2013 included another $31 million for the dredging project.

“Deepening the Delaware River is really about keeping our region and our nation competitive in the global economy,” Chris told the News Journal. “Deeper waters mean bigger ships can come in and out of the Port of Wilmington. That means new opportunities for businesses in the region and more jobs here in Delaware. I'm glad it's part of the President's budget proposal and will work to protect it in Congress."

This project deepens the Delaware River channel from 40 to 45 feet in order to accommodate larger vessels. This will reduce shipping costs and make maritime transportation more efficient, bringing more trade and making our region more attractive to private investment.  The project is expected to create an estimated 75,000 direct and indirect jobs throughout the Delaware Valley. This includes permanent, high-paying jobs as well as short-term construction jobs that will aid an industry hit hard by the economic downturn. 

After listening carefully to Delawareans and determining the dredging delivers on their desire to create jobs while also protecting our environment, Chris has been fighting hard to ensure the project has the resources necessary to proceed. Working with Senators Bob Casey (D-Pa.), and Pat Toomey (R-Pa.), he filed a bipartisan amendment to the FY 2012 appropriations bill that sought to increase federal funding for ongoing navigation projects. The final FY 2012 appropriations bill included $74 million for the account, which was used to fund the Delaware River deepening as well as other projects across the country.

Additionally, Senators Carper, Coons, and Casey sent letters to Assistant Secretary of the Army-Civil Works Jo-Ellen Darcy and the Office of Management and Budget Director Jacob Lew in December asking for additional funding for the dredging project.

Toll plaza upgrades help I-95 Thanksgiving traffic

NEWARK — For years, the Newark Toll Plaza has been a bottleneck for vehicles traveling on I-95, especially during the holidays. Thanks to the completion of the new toll plaza and its high-speed E-ZPass lanes, this Thanksgiving’s traffic moved swiftly, handling 611,332 vehicles — an increase of 41,642 vehicles over 2010. Even more impressive was the rate at which cars passed through the new toll plaza — an average of 400 more per hour as compared to 2010.

The toll plaza has been under construction for about two years and was opened in July, both on budget and a month ahead of schedule. This $32 million project was one of the main American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) infrastructure projects for Delaware, improving the flow of traffic through Delaware. The success of the project is one example of the importance of investing in our nation’s infrastructure to keep up with the demand.

Chris has called for the modernizing and expanding of our national infrastructure since coming to the Senate because it would help boost the economy by providing Americans with highly skilled, high-paying jobs. In November, Chris spoke on the Senate floor in support of the Rebuild America Jobs Act, which was introduced to help address America’s jobs crisis by investing in America’s crumbling infrastructure.

Click here to learn more about Chris’ work on transportation and infrastructure.

Click here to learn more about Chris’ work to create jobs. 

Video: Why we need an infrastructure bank

Senator Coons went to the floor again Thursday to trumpet the national infrastructure provisions in the Rebuild America Jobs Act. Chris is also a cosponsor of the BUILD Act, a standalone billed introduced earlier this year that would create the American Infrastructure Finance Authority to bring more private investment into infrastructure efforts.

With America facing a need for more than $2.2 trillion in infrastructure investments over the next five years, an infrastructure bank would help struggling state and local government to find the financing they need to repair their roads, bridges, tunnels, airports, railways, water and sewer systems.

"In my view, we have to get creative," Senator Coons said. "We have to bring in more resources than are currently on the field. And especially now, especially in this country, I think we have to be smart about how we spend our funds. The Rebuild America Jobs Act, to which I hope we will be moving later this afternoon, would put $50 billion directly into infrastructure but $10 billion as a down payment into making possible this new infrastructure bank. Seed money that makes possible loans and loan guarantees, not grants, for a wide range of infrastructure projects including energy, water and critically needed transportation."

Watch the speech above, or click here to read the transcript.

Video: Senator Coons voices support for national infrastructure jobs bill

Speaking on the Senate floor on Wednesday, Senator Coons voiced his support for the Rebuild America Jobs Act, which was introduced Monday to help address America’s jobs crisis by investing in America’s crumbling infrastructure. Senator Coons is an original cosponsor to the bill.

Celebrating International Car-Free Day

In honor of International Car-Free Day, Senator Coons encourages Delawareans to reflect on the impact various modes of transportation have on our environment, and if possible, try leaving their car at home and instead walking, biking or taking public transportation. 

Chris is a great proponent of alternative modes of transit and commutes from his home in Wilmington to Washington, DC, by Amtrak trains on a near daily basis. Additionally, he has been working with leaders from around the state to provide more recreational and bike-friendly routes, including the newly announced 14-mile C&D Canal Recreation Trail.

Delaware is very fortunate to have a wealth of active biking organizations within the state, and if you are interested in getting involved with cycling in the state for transport, recreation or both, Bike Delaware is a great advocacy organization committed to making Delaware more bikeable.  Many Delaware roads have designated bike lanes or wide shoulders to accommodate cyclist and the Delaware Bike Council and DART provide information on mapping a car-free route for your commute.

Chris will continue to work to help Delaware be a place where residents can save money on gas by accessing alternate forms of transportation for commuting to work or for daily activities.