Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund Fairness Coalition News

U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., introduced legislation that would ensure funding for federal ports and harbors across the nation. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., is an original co-sponsor of the bill. If enacted, the bill would help ensure that all revenue collected by the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) would be used for its intended purpose: to properly maintain and operate harbors and ports. The bill has broad bipartisan and multi-regional support, with four Democrats and four Republicans sponsoring the legislation at the time of its introduction. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, is the lead Republican co-sponsor of the bill.

The Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund Fairness Coalition expressed disappointment in President Obama's budget proposal for the 2011 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers - Civil Works Program. The Coalition said the proposed budget of $4.887b continues to inadequately invest in our nation's water resources infrastructure, and it reflects an additional $565m cut below what was enacted by Congress for the Corps in Fiscal Year 2010. "The proposed cuts in investment for this nation's coastal navigation needs are critically restrained and will result in serious reductions in channel dimensions," declared Barry Holliday, Chairman of the HMTF Fairness Coalition.