Sen. Brown introduces crucial funding amendment

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) recently introduced a funding amendment that would offer the mandatory funding for major projects involved in bridge and freight programs, like Brent Spence Bridge.

The amendment would raise the levels of funding for the new Major Projects Program included in the proposed transportation bill. It would also help to fund a new freight grant program, which would receive yearly financing from the Highway Trust Fund.

The fully paid-for amendment has a provision founded on Brown’s Fair Playing Field Act. This would increase revenue for infrastructure projects that create jobs by guaranteeing that fulltime employees are not incorrectly categorized as independent contractors. This misclassification enables employers to refuse basic workplace protections. It also places businesses that correctly categorize their fulltime employees at a disadvantage competitively. Additionally, it denies billions of tax dollars in revenues to the federal government.

Brown’s earlier Moving Ahead from Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) Act was successfully made into law in 2012. This program also helped projects similar to the Brent Spence Bridge.

“The Brent Spence Bridge is critical not only to the economic wellbeing of southwest Ohio but to our nation’s economy,” Brown said. “This amendment would help Cincinnati and other Ohio communities invest in important infrastructure projects, create jobs, and ensure the safety of their citizens.”