Derailing Federal Gas Tax Won’t Benefit Communities Seeking New Infrastructure Investment

Posted by Content Coordinator on Friday, March 11th, 2022

Left: the installation of a new sanitary sewer line for the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Ariz. Contractors on infrastructure projects work with all kinds of equipment. Right: workers on a deep job for a new 30-inch sewer line for the City of Chandler, Ariz. Municipal pipes, drinking water and stormwater are ongoing U.S. concerns. (Photos courtesy of Markham Contracting Co.)

Left: the installation of a new sanitary sewer line for the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Ariz. Contractors on infrastructure projects work with all kinds of equipment. Right: workers on a deep job for a new 30-inch sewer line for the City of Chandler, Ariz. Municipal pipes, drinking water and stormwater are ongoing U.S. concerns. (Photos courtesy of Markham Contracting Co.)

Originally posted on Faster Better Safer, the blog of Americans for Transportation Mobility

Leaders, those in the infrastructure industry and transportation officials are cautioning against legislation that would forgo the federal gas tax to offset inflation.

Disrupting investment will likely be shortsighted considering that there are multiple market forces policymakers cannot affect. Also, infrastructure investment has a substantial and positive impact at the local level.

In the latest ATM Podcast, David Martin, President of the Arizona Chapter of the Associated General Contractors (AGC), calls the policy proposal counterintuitive. He adds it will make it difficult for planners and states that require project certainty and long-term funding to move projects forward.

A dollar invested in infrastructure brings in $2.50 additional activity to the economy overall, adds Martin. He emphasizes that infrastructure is an economic engine for America, and not a frivolous investment. [We know that thousands of good jobs, for example, can be created from just one bridge project.]

The ATM also spoke to Martin about Arizona’s transportation and fiscal challenges as well as how he initially sees the idea of a federal gas tax halt — something the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) says will cost the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) over $20 billion dollars.

Ironically, this trial balloon comes during a time in which there has been a legislative focus to finally fix, maintain and ramp up our nation’s infrastructure and improve our global footing.

The United States’ roads, bridges and public transit systems are in need of modernization and rely on federal gas-tax receipts that help keep the trust fund solvent for federal programs and allocations to state departments of transportation (DOTs).

The federal gas tax is already at a 1993 rate, 18.4 cents. Indexed for inflation, it would be around 35 cents a gallon today.

Read original article (FasterBetterSafer.org)

Tags: , , , ,

Comments are closed.

Follow InfraUSA on Twitter Facebook YouTube Flickr

CATEGORIES


Show us your infra! Show us your infra!

Video, stills and tales. Share images of the Infra in your community that demands attention. Post your ideas about national Infra issues. Go ahead. Show Us Your Infra!  Upload and instantly share your message.

Polls Polls

Is the administration moving fast enough on Infra issues? Are Americans prepared to pay more taxes for repairs? Should job creation be the guiding determination? Vote now!

Views

What do the experts think? This is where the nation's public policy organizations, trade associations and think tanks weigh in with analysis on Infra issues. Tell them what you think.  Ask questions.  Share a different view.

Blog

The Infra Blog offers cutting edge perspective on a broad spectrum of Infra topics. Frequent updates and provocative posts highlight hot button topics -- essential ingredients of a national Infra dialogue.


Dear Friends,

 

It is encouraging to finally see clear signs of federal action to support a comprehensive US infrastructure investment plan.

 

Now more than ever, our advocacy is needed to keep stakeholders informed and connected, and to hold politicians to their promises to finally fix our nation’s ailing infrastructure.

 

We have already engaged nearly 280,000 users, and hoping to add many more as interest continues to grow.

 

We require your support in order to rise to this occasion, to make the most of this opportunity. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to InfrastructureUSA.org.

 

Steve Anderson

Managing Director

 

SteveAnderson@InfrastructureUSA.org

917-940-7125

InfrastructureUSA: Citizen Dialogue About Civil Infrastructure