Issues
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Transportation I have long argued that we must invest in our infrastructure. It is important from an economic and quality of life perspective. We should, however, look at a variety of modes and alternatives to come up with a solution to this crisis. Simply building more highways is not the answer, we need a multi-faceted solution. Much of our infrastructure, both traditional and alternative, has grown woefully inadequate. Part of this may be attributed to increased usage and congestion, while some infrastructure is simply obsolete and unsafe. The last highway reauthorization authorized a commission to study the way forward in transportation which could be used as a baseline for the upcoming reauthorization which will be considered next year. Broadly speaking, the report endorsed bold changes in transportation policy and funding. The item that warranted the most attention was the recommendation of an annual investment of between $225 and $340 billion per year in infrastructure. This would include federal, state and local investment, and utilize private dollars. To fund this investment, the majority of commissioners endorsed raising the gas tax by 25 to 40 cents above the current federal tax of 18.4 cents. This is almost a 200% increase in the gas tax when prices are already at record highs. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters adamantly opposes new gas taxes and as a result did not endorse the report. It is my hope that the upcoming reauthorization will create a vehicle that aims to mitigate congestion and its impact on each of us, fund a variety of alternatives so that people have a choice (such as mass transit and light rail), increase returns to the states via the donor state formula, and continue to address inflexible departmental policies. Further, it is important to promote policies that sustain the flow of commerce through a variety of ways, including trucks, rail and shipping via our waterways. |