Washington, D.C. — Eight of the nation’s leading local and regional governments organizations — representing more than 25,000 individual counties, cities, towns, planning agencies and regional economic development organizations across the United States — along with transportation planners, engineers and public works leaders have endorsed the new federal legislation, the Bridges and Safety Infrastructure for Community Success Act (BASICS Act).
National organizations supporting the BASICS Act include: National League of Cities, National Association of Counties, Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, National Association of Development Organizations, National Association of Regional Councils, American Public Works Association and the National Association of County Engineers.
The BASICS Act was introduced by Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Mich.) and Rep. Rob Bresnahan (R-Pa.). The bill renews and updates federal surface transportation programs to focus on local bridges, road safety and community-selected priority transportation projects desired by communities and businesses across the country and selected in regional competitive planning processes. Current federal transportation programs will expire on Sept. 30, 2026, so Congress is preparing legislation currently for the renewal of the federal surface transportation programs this year.
The BASICS Act reflects how federal programs can be more responsive to the priority needs of each region and district in the U.S. The bill would:
- Target bridge funding based on condition and ownership
- Strengthen flexible formula programs for local and regional project delivery
- Direct safety dollars to high-risk roads
- Support both metropolitan and rural transportation planning capacity
- Reinforce accountability and locally driven project selection
At the release, national and local leaders remarked on the significance of the legislation:
Kevin Kramer, Councilmember, Louisville, Ky., and National League of Cities President
“Local governments strongly support the BASICS Act because it streamlines federal investment into regional priorities so we can rebuild local bridges and roads that Americans use every day. We are stronger as a nation when Congress partners with local governments, that helps cities, towns and villages deliver what communities need to keep them moving.”
Matt Chase, Executive Director, National Association of Counties
“The BASICS Act would be a monumental step in ensuring that counties have access to federal funding for transportation infrastructure. This bill would ensure that more counties — especially rural counties — can utilize federal funding for important road, bridge and safety projects in our communities. As committee leaders work to develop the next five-year federal surface transportation reauthorization bill, counties urge them to include the BASICS Act as a core part of that legislation.”
Pragati Srivastava, President, Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations
“MPOs are where local leaders, state DOTs and transit providers come together to set priorities based on local needs and data, and to deliver projects that reflect how people actually travel and how goods move. The BASICS Act strengthens that work by reinforcing local and regional decision-making and improving access to the core formula funds that regions rely on. It also keeps the focus on the fundamentals: safety, accountability, transparency and performance.”
James Hovland, Mayor of Edina, Minn., and Chair of the U.S. Conference of Mayors Transportation Standing Committee
“This bipartisan legislation, rightly, further empowers local decision-makers and local areas in the next renewal law, and embodies reforms which are certain to make our surface transportation infrastructure safer and more responsive to our ever-changing economy and mobility needs. All of us have witnessed, firsthand, how e-commerce, remote work and new technologies have created new demands and stresses on our municipal and county-owned infrastructure, especially our local streets, roads and bridges, which are now foundational elements for making our new economy prosper. Thankfully, our sponsors understand how strengthening local level engagement and investment will pay significant and important future dividends for our communities, our regional economies and the nation itself.”
Justin Kiel, Council Member, La Porte County, Ind.; Commissioner, Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission; President, National Association of Regional Councils:
“The BASICS Act strengthens the vital work of regional councils, Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) and Regional Transportation Planning Organizations (RTPOs) to plan and deliver transportation projects that boost mobility, economic vitality and quality of life. By directing more resources to local and regional partners, the bill supports infrastructure investments that reflect community priorities and local expertise. I applaud Representatives McDonald Rivet and Bresnahan for championing legislation that supports regional planning organizations, invests in locally-driven infrastructure and helps regions build a stronger, more connected future.”
Scott D. Grayson, CAE, CEO, American Public Works Association
“The Getting Back to BASICS Act would refocus federal policy on what matters most: fixing deteriorating bridges, improving roadway safety, strengthening local and regional decision-making and ensuring federal investments reach the state and local agencies responsible for delivering results. APWA supports this legislation as a practical step toward safer roads and bridges, stronger communities and more accountable infrastructure investment.”
Joe McKinney, Executive Director, National Association of Development Organizations
“The BASICS Act is a critically important piece of legislation that will ensure that local and rural transportation stakeholders have sufficient resources to guide transportation planning and project implementation within their communities. This bill will strengthen the voice of rural transportation stakeholders, allowing them to have a more meaningful role in recommending enhancements to rural road safety, along with overseeing other rural transportation and infrastructure projects within their communities.”
Kevan Stone, Executive Director, National Association of County Engineers
“The bipartisan BASICS Act is a major advance toward securing counties’ access to critical federal transportation funding. This bill would better align federal funding with local needs and leverage the expertise of our nation’s local road professionals across the country. NACE commends Representatives McDonald Rivet and Bresnahan for their bipartisan leadership on this important issue.”
Learn more about the BASICS Act.
###
The National League of Cities (NLC) is the voice of America’s cities, towns and villages, representing more than 200 million people across the country. NLC works to strengthen local leadership, influence federal policy and drive innovative solutions. Stay connected with NLC on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram.