Infrastructure

Faced once again with less revenue to support the state’s general fund budget, Florida lawmakers are looking at taking money set aside for transportation projects for the second year in a row.

The Senate has approved a Federal Aviation Administration authorization bill that would establish a pilot program giving six airports the ability to set their own passenger facilities charges, which currently are capped at $4.50 and are used to back bonds.

The start date of a long-planned commuter line between Ann Arbor and Detroit has been postponed due to lack of funding.

The Illinois Senate last week approved a bill that would establish the Illinois and Midwest High Speed Rail Commission to oversee initial planning for high-speed rail service. The legislation is expected to be approved by the House and signed by Gov. Pat Quinn.

WASHINGTON — Another extension of federal transportation programs beyond the end of this year is highly possible, a congressional aide and transportation industry sources said at a conference here yesterday.

New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority goes to market today with a smaller revenue anticipation note deal than last year, reflecting lower revenue than original expected from a bailout package.

Toll-road bond investors can stop panicking over high gasoline prices.

Democratic Gov. Mark Parkinson joined with two of his Republican predecessors last week to urge Kansas legislators to provide more money for transportation programs.

DALLAS — Amid growing pains in an economic downturn, Austin is considering a second convention hotel while laying the groundwork for a $100 million transportation bond issue.

The Nassau County Bridge Authority plans to market $10.9 million of tax-exempt bonds to retail investors on Wednesday to rehabilitate a draw bridge on Long Island. Institutional pricing is expected to follow on Thursday.