This webinar presentation provided context and details on the proposed federal economic stimulus and recovery program. It discussed the legislative process underway in Congress to pass a stimulus bill, key steps transportation agencies are taking to prepare for bill implementation, and potential implications and consequences of the program. The presentation covered the Obama administration's focus on infrastructure investment, the current state of the stimulus bill in Congress, and actions needed by USDOT to effectively obligate and spend recovery program funds in a timely manner to maximize job creation and economic impact.

1. Economic Stimulus and Recovery
Program Webinar
Presented by
Parsons Brinckerhoff
February 6, 2009

2. Welcome
BY GREG KELLY
Today’s speakers
• Mort Downey
• Jeff Morales
Agenda
• Context
• Legislative Process
• Implementation
• Implications and Consequences
• Q&A Discussion
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February 6, 2009

3. Context
FOCUS ON INFRASTRUCTURE
Setting the stage
• Unprecedented focus on infrastructure, including transportation, in
Presidential campaign
• Strong push from Governors, Mayors
• Specific commitments from candidates/President-elect Obama and
Vice-President-elect Biden
• Recognition of positive economic impact of investment
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February 6, 2009

4. Context
FRAMING THE ADMINISTRATION’S APPROACH
1. Create and Preserve Jobs Now
2. Fix It First
3. Strengthen Communities
4. Support Commerce
5. Foster Innovation
6. Leverage the Investment
Accountability
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February 6, 2009

5. Context
OPERATING ENVIRONMENT
Complicated – Can’t make it more so
Challenging
Everybody’s Watching
Uncertain
But Short Game Once Whistle Blows
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February 6, 2009

6. Context
WHAT IS THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY PROGRAM?
A jobs bill SAFETEA-LU reauthorization
Means of providing funding to Demonstration of national
programs that can produce jobs investment priorities
quickly
~ 1-year’s additional funding Money w/ no strings attached
@ 100% federal funds
Accelerated decisions Business as usual
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February 6, 2009

7. Legislative Process
CURRENT SNAPSHOT*
Selected Transportation Infrastructure Elements:
Program House Senate
Formula Grants
Highways and Bridges $30.0 Billion $27.0 Billion
Transit $9.5 Billion $8.4 Billion
Amtrak $0.8 Billion $0.9 Billion
Discretionary Grants
New Multi-Modal Program - $5.5 Billion
New Starts / Small Starts Transit $2.5 Billion -
Intercity Pax Rail State “Corridors” $0.3 Billion $2.3 Billion
Airport Improvement Program $3.0 Billion $1.1 Billion
* EVOLVING – PRESSURE FOR BILL PASSAGE BY MID-FEBRUARY
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February 6, 2009

8. Legislative Process
WHAT’S REMAINING
Steps
• Senate Passage
• “Go to Conference”
• Enactment
Infrastructure funding amounts still in play, but not likely to
change significantly
Need greater focus on details, e.g.:
• “FTA obligations”
• New Starts “contracts”
• Metropolitan area sub-allocation
• Maintenance of effort and reporting
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February 6, 2009

9. Legislative Process
WHAT IS USDOT DOING TO GET READY?
Pressure to deliver
Opportunity to be central to agenda
Won’t have additional political leadership in place for some
time
FHWA
FTA
FRA
FAA
Interagency Tiger Team
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February 6, 2009

10. Implementation
KEY STEPS
Between now and enactment
• Treat as a separate program
Appoint director, reporting to agency head
• Develop processes and interagency agreements for accelerating
implementation and assuring that deadlines are met
• Identify potential projects to meet needs
Resolve timelines and any remaining pre-obligation steps
• Coordinate w/ MPO, local jurisdictions, and federal agencies
• Secure needed program management resources
• FOCUS ON KEY GOALS: JOBS, ECONOMIC IMPACT,
DELIVERY
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February 6, 2009

11. Implementation
KEY STEPS
After enactment
• Program management
• Obligation of funds
• Effective spending
• Construction management
• Data collection
• Accountability
• Maintenance of effort
• Discretionary applications (if programs retained)
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February 6, 2009

12. Implications
CONSEQUENCES
Unprecedented opportunity
• Success breeds success
Spending money wisely + meeting schedule = demonstrating need
Downside risks
• Agency level
Unmet infrastructure needs
Political risk of forfeiting 100% federal funds
• Industry level
FY10 Appropriations
SAFETEA-LU and FAA reauthorizations
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February 6, 2009

13. Implications
WHAT CAN THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY PROGRAM BE?
It CAN be a down-payment on a sustained investment as
well as an opportunity to show how agencies can deliver
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February 6, 2009

14. Questions and Answers
Discussion
For additional resources, please see www.pbstimulus.com
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February 6, 2009