The nationwide meetings with state and local officials as well as transportation stakeholders will help inform the committee's drafting of a long-term reauthorization of the nation's highway and transit programs, according to a statement released by Mica's office.

The committee will seek input on such matters as consolidating and improving the performance of programs, cutting government red tape, streamlining the project-delivery process, increasing private-sector investment in infrastructure, and identifying creative financing alternatives. The previous multiyear surface transportation law known as "SAFETEA-LU" expired in September 2009 and has been temporarily extended six times. The latest extension expires March 4.

"The best ideas to improve and streamline government programs often come from outside of Washington," Mica said in the statement. "Before we draft any legislation, these meetings will provide the committee with valuable insight and information."

Mica, members of the committee, and other lawmakers will participate in the hearings and meetings. The first hearing will take place Feb. 14 in Beckley, West Virginia -- home state of the committee's ranking minority member, Democrat Rep. Nick Rahall.

At least a dozen other sessions are currently planned for Feb. 17-25, including a joint House/Senate hearing in Los Angeles in cooperation with Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairwoman Barbara Boxer, D-California. Other House T&I Committee meetings will take place in the Philadelphia metropolitan area; Scranton, Pennsylvania; Rochester, New York; Columbus, Ohio; Indianapolis; the Chicago metropolitan area; Vancouver, Washington; Fresno, California; Oklahoma City; Jonesboro, Arkansas; and the Memphis metropolitan area. Further details regarding these meetings will be announced at a later date.

Chamber President, Union Leader to Testify at Senate EPW Committee Hearing

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee announced that Tom Donahue, U.S. Chamber of Commerce president, and Richard Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO labor union, will appear before the committee Feb. 16 to speak out on the need for Congress to act on a new transportation bill.

"At a time that our country is aware of a huge unemployment rate among construction workers, as well as enduring a huge backlog of highway and transit improvements, I look forward to hearing from two leaders who have come together in a rare show of unity," Boxer said in a statement.

Donohue and Trumka last week issued a joint statement responding positively to President Barack Obama's call during the State of the Union address for more infrastructure investment. (see Jan. 28 AASHTO Journal story)

This will be the Senate EPW Committee's second hearing this Congress on transportation reauthorization. American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials President Susan Martinovich, Nevada's transportation director, testified at the first hearing Jan. 26. (see Jan. 28 AASHTO Journal story)

"As one who has been ranked as the most conservative member of the U.S. Senate, I feel that there are two areas that deserve greater funding: national defense and infrastructure," Sen. James Inhofe, R-Oklahoma and the Senate EPW Committee's ranking minority member, said in a statement. "America desperately needs a robust transportation bill."