Highway interests are aggressively pushing a much expanded version of the six year highway funding renewal program. But as yet they do not have the support of either congressional leaders or President Obama. Highway funding renewal has been put in line behind both healthcare expansion and the electricity tax. Both of these are progressing through Congress far slower than first anticipated. Expect one or more temporary – but less than 100% - extensions before Congress gets to highway funding as soon as the winter and as late as next spring.

Congress is getting nervous about the deficit which has already tripled in the past year. The expanded funding program requested by highway interests now appears very unlikely to be enacted. Instead, Congress will find enough more funds to keep federal money flowing at near the current level.  This is before stimulus funds which will permit the forecasted 7-8% rise in …