(Washington DC) – Today, U.S. Senator Dean Heller (R-NV) voted in favor of the Long-Term Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2011, a bill that invests in our nation’s infrastructure and rolls back burdensome regulations on employers without increasing taxes on job creators or adding to the federal debt.

“Our nation needs an effective, sustainable plan that not only creates jobs, but also helps us maintain and expand our nation’s infrastructure.  Instead, the Senate Majority today proposed another partisan, short-term stimulus plan that follows the same failed path that has done little to get our economy moving again.

“Americans are desperate for a real plan that creates jobs, not more political posturing and gimmicks.  Clearly, we need a different way of doing things. The legislation I voted for is a serious proposal that finally addresses job-killing regulations and provides certainty employers need to create jobs. Congress should not be taxing small businesses at the same time that Nevadans and potential employees across the country need them to hire,” said Senator Heller.

The Long-Term Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2011 is a sensible alternative to S. 1769, the latest stimulus plan proposed by Senate Democrats. The Democrats proposal raises taxes on employers and fails to address regulations that make it difficult for employers in the transportation and construction industries to hire. 

Specifically, the Long-Term Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2011:

• Fully funds continued infrastructure spending on the nation’s roads, highways, public transportation, and assorted other federal infrastructure projects by including:
  • A two-year extension of federal highway and highway-safety programs and trust fund authority.  It also provides for transportation infrastructure project acceleration, efficiencies in contracting, and reforms of National Environmental Policy Act processes.
  • A 2-year extension of public transportations programs
  • A 2-year extension of surface transportation programs.

• Reforms designed to accelerate infrastructure projects that are held back by what the President’s own Jobs Council cites as regulatory “red tape.”

• Reins in regulations facing employers that create the very uncertainty that holds back job growth and business investment by:
  • Providing regulatory relief from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rules;
  • Giving Congress greater oversight of agency rules and regulations; and
  • Requiring Congressional approval for major rules with significant economic impact.

• Is fully paid for and reduces the deficit.