Chairman Graves wants reauthorization bill out of the House this spring; cities across U.S. pass transit ballot measures
Rep. Sam Graves speaking at United for Infrastructure’s Infrastructure Week event.
Speaking to Punchbowl News Co-Founder Jake Sherman on Election Day this week, U.S. Rep. Sam Graves, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, addressed challenges with air traffic control, the FEMA reform bill, and the next surface transportation bill. Here are the highlights:
On the next surface transportation bill: “This is going to be the most important highway bill since 1956. Never have we had a time where the need is so great and the funds are so small.” Graves told Punchbowl News that the Committee received 1,100 requests for funding through the surface transportation bill.
What’s in the bill: Graves said it will be a “traditional” surface transportation bill focused on roads and bridges, not on bike lanes, murals, or train stations to name a few examples, as cited by the Chairman directly. The bill will also include “strong” permitting reform, though he did not dive into any specifics on this bipartisan and broadly discussed topic. Expect initial language in early 2026. Graves aims to pass the bill out of the House in the spring to begin talks with the Senate.
On reforming the user fee model: “If you use the road, you need to pay for it.” Graves noted during the interview that he previously proposed a model in which electric vehicle owners would pay a $250 fee, while hybrid owners pay $100 as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Ultimately, it was removed from the final bill.
On the bipartisan FEMA Act of 2025 and elevating FEMA to a cabinet-level agency: FEMA has “gotten too far away from accountability.” By elevating FEMA to the cabinet-level, Graves said, FEMA leadership will report directly to the president. The FEMA Act of 2025 also aims to expedite disaster recovery by providing upfront grants, he added.
On air traffic control and the shutdown: The shutdown did not impact the federal government’s efforts to modernize the national air traffic control systems, a $12.5 billion undertaking, Graves said. However, each day the shutdown continues, it exacerbates existing staffing challenges, causing additional flight delays.
Mecklenburg County, Denver, Columbus pass infrastructure ballot measures
Voters supported greater local investment in transit and infrastructure on Election Day in cities across the country, including significant wins in Mecklenburg County, Denver, and Columbus.
Mecklenburg County, N.C. (Charlotte area), voters approved the Yes for Meck ballot measure 52.1% to 47.9%. The measure will generate $19.4 billion over the next 30 years and fund new rail lines, expanded bus service and bus rapid transit lines, and improved pedestrian, bike, and road infrastructure.
In Columbus, OH, voters approved a $1.9 billion bond package that will fund housing, utilities, infrastructure, parks, and public safety projects. This builds on Columbus’ successful 2024 LinkUS campaign, which will generate $8 billion in new revenue to develop the city’s first dedicated bus-rapid transit corridors and other key transportation projects.
In Denver, CO, 61% of voters supported Ballot issue 2A, which will use bond funds to invest in transportation and mobility projects across the city. The city of Denver is now authorized to issue up to $441 million in bonds to fund traffic signal replacement, roadway enhancements, safety improvements for pedestrians and cyclists, and the repair and reconstruction of outdated bridges. The issue was part of a broader $950 million Vibrant Denver bond measure that will fund a range of city services, housing, and infrastructure projects.
UFI-affiliated organization Accelerator for America Action advised Mecklenburg regional leadership and the Yes for Meck coalition, as well as supported the Vibrant Denver campaign, to help both secure major investments in their growing communities. AFA Action also worked on Columbus’ 2024 campaign.
Texas voters overwhelmingly approve a $20 billion water infrastructure plan
Texas has committed to investing up to $1 billion in sales tax each year to repair, maintain, and bolster the state’s water infrastructure following the passage of Proposition 4 with 70% voter approval.
Starting in 2027, the state will allocate a portion of existing state sales tax revenue to the Texas Water Fund, which will then finance water, wastewater, and flood infrastructure projects. The funding will only be transferred when yearly sales tax collections exceed $46.5 billion, reported the Texas Tribune.
Proposition 4 works in tandem with Senate Bill 7 (SB7), landmark legislation passed by the Texas Legislature and signed into law in June 2025. SB7 established the legal framework for a dedicated, long-term financing mechanism for water infrastructure by enabling the transfer of sales tax revenue into the Texas Water Fund. Together, Proposition 4 and SB7 provide a sustainable and flexible financial foundation to help meet Texas’ projected $200 billion in water infrastructure needs over the next 50 years.
Value of Water Campaign research underscores urgency of investing in water infrastructure
UFI Steering Committee partner Value of Water Campaign has released additional findings from its national economic research highlighting the impact and importance of investment in our nation’s water infrastructure. The research, released earlier this week, provides a state-by-state analysis of water infrastructure needs and impacts, as well as specific insights related to workforce, rural America, and key industries.
The research finds that every $1 million invested in water infrastructure results in $2.5 million in economic growth. This means current funding levels have supported 2.2 million jobs and $588.4 billion in economic growth. Still, the federal share of funding for water infrastructure has dipped drastically from 50% in 1970 to 7% in 2025.
The same research put numbers behind what a day without water would truly mean for the U.S. economy – nearly $120 billion in economic losses and 527,000 jobs placed at risk. The Value of Water Campaign previewed early findings from the research on October 18 during its annual Imagine a Day Without Water day of advocacy.
NAM calls for policy changes, infrastructure investment to fuel AI innovation, energy dominance
UFI Steering Committee partner National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) released a new report, “Manufacturing’s Roadmap to AI and Energy Dominance,” outlining steps lawmakers should take to strengthen America’s position as a leader in AI and energy production.
NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons speaking at UFI’s Infrastructure Week 2025 reception, alongside Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
“Manufacturing sits at the crossroads of America’s energy dominance, AI leadership, and the strength of our power grid. If America wants to win the global race for AI, we must first win on energy,” said Jay Timmons, NAM President and CEO. “That means advancing the administration’s goals for energy dominance — through bipartisan, comprehensive permitting reform, modernized infrastructure and an all-of-the-above energy strategy that allows manufacturers to innovate, build and grow right here at home.”
Eighty percent of manufacturers said the length and complexity of the permitting process is harmful to increasing investment, according to a survey of NAM members. NAM called on lawmakers to enact permitting reforms to increase energy generation and grid modernization and thereby ensure access to affordable and reliable energy.
Upcoming Events
Our United for Infrastructure Calendar is the central hub for infrastructure events. Share your plans with us via the “Submit an Event” button on our website, allowing us to amplify your event on our Calendar, on social media, and in this newsletter.
November 12 | Miami, FL
Spain-U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 Infrastructure Summit will address the most pressing infrastructure trends in the United States, including the expansion of smart mobility systems, the rise of AI-driven infrastructure monitoring, energy transition in transport and construction, and innovative financing models for large-scale urban projects.
November 13 | Virtual
Accelerator for America Action will be hosting a rapid response webinar at 1 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 13, with leaders in Mecklenburg County who passed the historic transportation ballot measure. Following years of organizing and positioning, Mecklenburg County voters passed a transportation referendum that will generate $19.4 billion in dedicated funding to reduce congestion and make the region safer and more accessible.
November 12-14 | Washington, D.C.
Join the National Association of Manufacturers’ Legal Center for the fourth annual Manufacturing Legal Summit – the preeminent conference for manufacturing lawyers addressing the latest pressing challenges across the legal and regulatory landscape.
November 20 | New York, NY
City & State’s annual Energy Infrastructure Summit will convene government leaders, industry executives, utility providers, investors, and infrastructure experts to shape the future of New York’s energy systems. The event will address critical challenges and emerging opportunities in modernizing and expanding energy infrastructure to meet the state's climate, resilience, and economic development goals.
December 3 | Virtual
The National Association of Counties’ “Modernizing County Infrastructure: Empowering Smart, Secure, and Resilient Communities” webinar — designed for county executives, CIOs/CTOs, and operations leaders — explores practical approaches to modernizing networks, integrating cloud and on‑premises platforms, and protecting sensitive citizen data.