Without question, the highway reauthorization bill of 2009 is the single greatest challenge facing the trucking industry today. The crisis of our nation’s infrastructure follows years of stagnant growth and inadequate funding.
Not only is it imperative that we maintain the roads we have, we need additional funds to expand our capacity nationwide. But to do that, we need more resources.
There are some questions among lawmakers and regulators as to how to enter into such a significant financial undertaking.
Many would argue that a complete restructuring of the highway funding system is in order. But if funds are properly allocated, the current system of collecting the fuel tax remains the best way to build the Highway Trust Fund.
For some, the question of increasing the gas tax is unconscionable. And in the wake of record high diesel prices, the trucking industry might seem like unlikely advocates. But we understand that in order to move our nation’s freight in a safe, efficient and environmentally responsible manner, it is imperative to have a financing formula that is fair, equitable and sufficient to meet industry objectives — and the collection and distribution of the fuel tax remains the most viable means to do just that.