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For Immediate Release NEWS RELEASE Commission Gives Motorists Hope for
a Safer, More Mobile Future
"Performance-Based" Program Reforms Key to Public
Support for New User Fees WASHINGTON, D.C. (January 15,
2008) - Today, the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Commission
released a report that outlines a bold vision for highway and surface transportation
in the United States. The American Highway Users Alliance is pleased that the
commission has proposed a plan to re-establish the strong federal leadership role
needed to get Americans moving again. President and CEO Greg
Cohen commented, "Americans need to look no further than the Interstate Highway
System to understand the value of national leadership in transportation. For more
than fifty years, the Interstates have served us as our nation's arteries, keeping
our economy vibrant and giving families the mobility to improve their lives in
ways unthinkable prior to World War II. Without federal leadership and the national
user fees paid by motorists and truckers, today's transportation system would
be in shambles. "Yet since the 1980's, when the Interstate-construction
era began to end, Congress has struggled to define a reasonable national purpose
and vision for the future of surface transportation. Increasingly, the program
has lost national focus and public support has dropped as waste and earmarking
grew. As a result, political support for user fee increases has waned. American
families and businesses have suffered the consequences as traffic congestion has
grown unchecked for 25 years and decades of safety gains stagnated along with
investments in safer roads. "Today marks a new day of hope
for American motorists, truckers, families, and businesses. The distinguished
panel of national commissioners has mapped a way forward. Success will require
a lot of money but we have no doubt the benefits will far exceed the costs. Over
time, public support will grow if Congress reforms the program, adopts a 'performance-based'
plan that rewards success in meeting national objectives, and respects the integrity
of the special "user pays, user benefits" taxing system. "Highway
users should also be pleased that the Commission has proposed new, non-highway
sources of revenue for the surface transportation program. This is a key condition
for expanding the Highway Trust Fund to a broader, Surface Transportation Trust
Fund. We will work to ensure that such a plan provides strong funding for alternate
modes while reducing the subsidies of non-highway modes by highway users.
"In a 21st century global economy, safe and reliable mobility will be a decisive
factor in worldwide economic competition. The commission's plan is a step forward
in keeping America "the driving force" in the world economy. We
appreciate the hard work of each commissioner and we look forward to reviewing
the final recommendations in detail." To read the commission's report, log onto
www.transportationfortomorrow.org.
# # # The American Highway Users Alliance represents motorists, bus
companies, truckers, RV enthusiasts, motorcyclists and a broad cross-section of
businesses that depend on safe and efficient highways to transport their families,
customers, employees, and products. Highway Users members pay taxes that finance
transportation spending programs and advocate public policies that dedicate those
taxes to improved highway safety and mobility. | 
