Alaska Editorial: Way to go

  • Wednesday, December 23, 2015 1:03am
  • Opinion

The following editorial first appeared in the Ketchikan Daily News:

If we’re going to get anywhere, it will be with the federal transportation bill passed by Congress and signed by President Obama.

The bill, Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act, provides funding for the nation’s highways, ferries and railroads for the next five years.

All in Alaska’s congressional delegation worked on the bill, which results in millions of dollars coming into the state. Alaska will receive more than $2.6 billion between fiscal year 2016 and 2020.

The two programs in Southeast expecting to receive money are the Alaska Marine Highway System and the Tongass National Forest.

The bill increases the ferry funding from $67 million to $80 million nationally, which includes $18.6 million for Alaska ferries. This is an increase from $18.2 million per year. Over five years, that’s a $2 million increase.

The bill also clarifies that reciprocal easements and rights-of-way in the Tongass will be granted between the state and the feds. This will help pave the way for road and other infrastructure projects.

This bill is especially vital given state finances. It commits dollars to not only maintaining but building the infrastructure necessary for any community or state to build an economy. The economy doesn’t grow unless there is a route for commerce.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski served on the conference committee that melded the Senate and the House versions of the bill. Congressman Don Young serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, while Sen. Dan Sullivan is on the Senate’s Commerce Committee.

President Obama signed the bill only days after its passage.

This bill and its supporters are providing some stability to the states’, and, in tandem, the communities’ economies when it is needed most.

More in Opinion

Web
Have something to say?

Here’s how to add your voice to the conversation.

A steady procession of vehicles and students arrives at Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé before the start of the new school year on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: Let’s consider tightening cell phones restrictions in Juneau schools

A recent uptick in student fights on and off campus has Juneau… Continue reading

A map shows state-by-state results of aggregate polls for U.S. presidential candidates Donald Trump (red) and Kamala Harris (blue), with states too close to call in grey, as of Oct. 29. (Wikimedia Commons map)
Opinion: The silent Republican Party betrayal

On Monday night, Donald Trump reported that two Pennsylvania counties had received… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Letters: Vote no on ballot measure 2 for the future of Alaska

The idea that ranked choice voting (RCV) is confusing is a red… Continue reading

(Laurie Craig / Juneau Empire file photo)
10 reasons to put country above party labels in election

Like many of you I grew up during an era when people… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Letter: Alaskans are smart, can see the advantages of RCV and open primaries

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization that neither endorses… Continue reading

Tongass National Forest. (U.S. Forest Service photo)
My Turn: Why I oppose privatization of the Tongass rainforest

Sen. Lisa Murkowski has been trying to privatize the Tongass for years.… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Letter: Supporting ranked choice voting is the honest choice

Some folks are really up in arms about the increased freedom afforded… Continue reading

(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
My Turn: Election presents stark contrasts

This election, both at the state and federal level, presents a choice… Continue reading

Most Read