Congressman Mike Michaud, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, announced that he has received encouraging news from key senior House members involved with the conference committee that is charged with coming up with a final appropriations measure that currently contains a permanent fix to Maine's truck weight problem.

On October 14th, Michaud wrote the House Appropriations Committee urging them to retain the truck weight provision when the House and Senate negotiators met on the final bill. Those negotiations will be taking place in the coming days and a final bill is expected to be completed the week of November 14th.

"While nothing is certain until we see the final package, I'm confident at this point that the truck weight provision will survive final negotiations," said Michaud. "I've spoken with key members of Congress over the last few weeks that will be involved in crafting the final bill, and they've committed to me that they will support Maine's truck weight fix."

The way to the final bill has been a complicated one. First the House passed a bill funding agriculture programs. The Senate then took up that House bill and added two additional appropriations measures to it, including one that funds transportation programs and includes Maine's truck weight provision. So while the House never took up a transportation funding bill, this final multi-bill agreement from the Senate may be the first and last time House members have a chance to weigh in and vote on it.