Infrastructure

Gov. Tina Kotek sent a letter to transportation commissioners asking them to scrap a tolling plan for Portland-area highways that was seven years in the making.

Federal officials are pushing for reauthorization while cities tout their planning.

The state's transportation department plans to sell $200 million of highway fund revenue bonds this summer for its Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program.

The American High-Speed Rail Act has seen "some initial interest from Republican lawmakers – I'm working hard to get them on board too," said bill sponsor Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass.

Chicago will issue $80.865 million of Series 2024A and 2024B senior lien airport revenue refunding bonds for Midway, with a pricing date to be determined.

The bill allows local governments to bypass public bidding and notice requirements in current P3 law.

The National Football League's Chicago Bears are pursuing plans to build a publicly owned domed stadium in Chicago, boosted by $2 billion of private funds. 

States and local governments can use the funds to hire advisors to consider alternative delivery models for transportation projects.

"Cry me a river, Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif., told officials testifying about grant funding problems in the infrastructure law. "You guys have never had it so good."

Sam Graves' term leading the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is up but he is looking to stay on.