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County delegation reports Washington, D.C., fly-in: funding, tariffs and grant process among takeaways
Summary
Delegates who attended a two-day Transportation Development Association (TDA) fly-in described meetings with congressional offices about formula versus discretionary funding, tariff concerns for steel, and the need to streamline grant processes.
Two county representatives reported back from a two-day Transportation Development Association fly-in in Washington, D.C., where they met with congressional staff and discussed federal transportation funding, tariffs, and grant program design.
Delegates said they had meetings with staff for Representative Fitzgerald and Senator Johnson and that Senator Baldwin briefly met with the group. Topics included the health of the federal Highway Trust Fund (largely financed by the federal gas tax), the growing use of discretionary grant criteria tied to administration priorities (including equity and carbon considerations), and options to stabilize or augment transportation funding.
Committee member John (delegation attendee) said Wisconsin’s delegation urged more formula funding — which is allocated to states and is more flexible for local use — rather than relying on highly competitive discretionary grants. He said formula funding helps smaller counties because discretionary grants are grouped with major national projects and are highly competitive.
Attendees raised tariff concerns, particularly for steel used in bridges. Delegates said preliminary information indicated that salt and fuel would be exempt from a proposed tariff and thus were not expected to face an immediate 25% tariff, but steel tariffs remain an unsettled risk.
The delegation also encouraged streamlining federal application processes and advocated for local control where possible, arguing state- and locally administered funds stretch further than funds tied to federal standards requiring extensive compliance work.
Ending: Delegates described the fly-in as informative and recommended continued participation in federal outreach to pursue formula funding and monitor tariff and grant-rule developments.
