CAGTC Members,
The House Transportation & Infrastructure Subcommittee on Highways and Transit held a hearing today titled “Building a 21st Century Infrastructure for America: Long-Term Funding for Highways and Transit Programs.” Witnesses included Mr. John Schroer, Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Transportation and on behalf of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials; Mr. Michael Lewis, Executive Director, Colorado Department of Transportation and on behalf of the Western Road Use Charge Consortium (RUC West); Mr. Chris Spear, President and CEO, American Trucking Associations; Mr. Ed Mortimer, Executive Director, Transportation and Infrastructure, U.S. Chamber of Commerce; and Ms. Thea Lee, President, Economic Policy Institute. A recording of the hearing can be found online here and a summary of relevant conversation here. Below are a few key takeaways from the hearing:
- The panelists were in agreement that something must be done soon to address Highway Trust Fund insolvency and most were in agreement that the gas tax must be raised;
- Some Members of Congress supported raising the gas tax, referring to it as a user fee instead of a tax, and called for Presidential leadership in this arena; and
- Most agreed that a vehicle miles traveled fee will not be ready to be deployed for at least 10 years.
Thank you!
Katie Cross
Manager, Member Communications & Policy
Coalition for America’s Gateways and Trade Corridors
1625 K Street NW
Suite 1100
Washington, DC 20006
tradecorridors.org