Pete Hoekstra

Transportation

Investing in our nation’s transportation infrastructure creates jobs, retains jobs and is a catalyst for economic development.

I believe that it is necessary that all governments to work together with the community on their transportation projects so that taxpayer money is used efficiently and projects are compatible and coordinated with one another to stimulate growth.

For decades the state of Michigan has sent more federal highway tax money to Washington than it has received in return. Since the Highway Trust Fund's creation in 1956, Michigan ranks 46th out of all states on the return of federal highway funds, and under the latest transportation bill Michigan ranked below average. For that reason, I support allowing the state of Michigan to keep all of its federal gas tax revenue to be used to meet its transportation needs. Michigan has been a donor state for too long.

The federal government can also improve transportation funding by reprioritizing the current federal transportation program and eliminating or consolidating programs that do little to improve the transportation system.