On Wednesday, the Senate passed their AGC supported, 2- year, $109 billion surface transportation reauthorization bill, S. 1813 the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) by a strong bipartisan vote of 74-22.  Funding levels and key provisions of MAP-21 can be found here.

Gov. Mitt Romney won six out of 10 state primary contests on Super Tuesday—the most delegate rich primary day on the nomination calendar—with 419 delegates up for grabs. Alaska, Idaho, Massachusetts, Ohio, Vermont and Virginia voted for Romney, while Sen. Rick Santorum won North Dakota, Oklahoma and Tennessee. Speaker Newt Gingrich took his home state of Georgia.

On March 2, 2012, a federal court in Washington, D.C., upheld most of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) notice posting rule. The posting rule is described here, here, and here.

Today, the Senate approved  legislation in the form of an amendment to the chamber’s version of the transportation bill. The amendment will ensure 80 percent of the Clean Water Act penalties the federal government collects as a result of the BP oil spill are distributed in the best interest of the communities along the Gulf Coast. The legislation was sponsored by Sens. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) and Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) and was supported by all Senators from the region in a bi-partisan manner.

Today, the House Small Business Committee, chaired by Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.), held a full committee markup of six small business contracting bills recently introduced. AGC recently testified before the committee to discuss its priorities.

Last night, the Senate finally reached a unanimous consent agreement that limits the number of amendments that can be offered to the S. 1813, the “Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act” (MAP-21), its two-year $109 billion authorization. The Senate has now started the process of debating and voting on approximately 30 amendments to MAP-21; many of the amendments are not germane to the bill.

This week, the Senate began debate on MAP-21, the two-year $109 billion surface transportation reauthorization bill. Following that vote Senate Majority Harry Reid (D-NV) offered an amendment that is a complete substitute for the entire bill.  This substitute contains the titles of the bill from the Environment & Public Works, Finance, Banking and Commerce committees that had been previously agreed to as well as 37 amendments that have been agreed on by both parties.

The Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, chaired by Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-Ohio), held a hearing to review innovative approaches for financing community water infrastructure projects. The subcommittee focused on potential financing tools, including many AGC priorities in the water infrastructure sector. The chairman’s opening statement acknowledged the substantial water infrastructure needs and the unfortunate results of deferred investment. Witnesses pointed out that local governments continue to be concerned about the impacts unfunded federal mandates have on their ability to meet compliance obligations, especially given municipalities' dwindling revenues in the current economic climate.

Gov. Mitt Romney swept Tuesday’s Arizona and Michigan Republican primaries. Romney took Arizona by more than 20 points and, with that, all 29 of its delegates. But, it wasn’t as easy in his home state of Michigan. The governor edged Senator Rick Santorum by just three points and split its 30 delegates evenly with Santorum. As previously noted here, Romney’s superior organization and financial backing played a significant factor in his come-from-behind victory.

As reported last week, don’t count Gov. Mitt Romney out in Michigan based on weeks-old polls. Down by more than 10 points there last week, Romney is now in a statistical dead heat with Sen. Rick Santorum according to the latest polls. A Romney loss in Michigan, his childhood home, would be a devastating blow to his campaign. Both Michigan and Arizona hold their primaries on Tuesday, Feb. 28.