Deere Gets Behind Highway Bill

In a meeting with President Bush in Chicago, Deere & Co. chairman Bob Lane has asked the president to help ensure that a new multi-year highway funding bill is enacted before the Feb. 2004 expiration.

According to a news release from the Moline, Ill., equipment company, Lane promoted a comprehensive new highway bill, and “not just another temporary extension of current law, as some in Congress might suggest.”

Lane touted the employment aspects of taking such action. “A steady and consistent funding stream is important to contractors as they seek to employ workers on a regular basis and justify investing in new construction-related equipment,” says the heavy equipment company executive.

Earlier on the same day of their meeting on Sept. 30, the President had signed a stop-gap, five-month highway funding extension bill that will expire on Feb. 29, 2004. The prior six-year highway authorization bill (known as TEA-21) had expired on Sept. 30.

According to a Deere & Co. news release, other topics discussed by Lane and President Bush included the need for good legal policy, an energy plan and fair international trade for manufacturers.