Ohio Republican says a new highway bill can be worked out in 2010

Still fueled by Sen. Scott Brown’s stunning victory in Massachusetts, Republicans became boisterous on Capitol Hill when it came to talking about a new six-year highway bill.

During a House Appropriations Committee hearing, Rep. Steven LaTourette (R-Ohio) challenged Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to redirect the White House’s feeling on the measure.

According to Streetsblog Capitol Hill, LaTourette said, “ . . . kicking this can down the road to March 2011 is irresponsible. It’s time for leadership on this issue.”

Feb. 8, 2010

Still fueled by Sen. Scott Brown’s stunning victory in Massachusetts, Republicans became boisterous on Capitol Hill when it came to talking about a new six-year highway bill.

During a House Appropriations Committee hearing, Rep. Steven LaTourette (R-Ohio) challenged Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to redirect the White House’s feeling on the measure.

According to Streetsblog Capitol Hill, LaTourette said, “ . . . kicking this can down the road to March 2011 is irresponsible. It’s time for leadership on this issue.”

LaHood has recommended that Congress tackle funding shortcomings involving road and bridge work as late as March 2011 when a new Congress is in place. Many experts say if that does happen, a new bill probably will not surface until 2012.

LaTourette added that he could bring Republicans to the table now to come with a compromise on a new six-year highway bill. The latest extension of SAFETEA-LU expires on Feb. 28.

Congressional Democrats, however, seemed to have crawled into a shell following the Brown triumph, and many would probably oppose a raise in the federal gas tax, which seems to be the only feasible option.