Highway Users President & CEO Greg Cohen presented testimony outlining our reauthorization priorities to the Subcommittee on Highways & Transit in late March. We focused on the urgent need for a well-funded surface transportation bill that focuses on:
- Reducing waste
- Streamlining project reviews and
- Addressing the key national priorities articulated by our Policy and Government Affairs Committee
During the testimony, Cohen emphasized the parallels between the stabilizing economy and increased highway use. He specifically noted, “As highway travel rebounds users are feeding the economy by working, shopping and recreating…but with the growth of travel, congestion is once again rebounding.” As the nation’s economic recovery continues to gather steam, vehicle miles traveled continues to rise. Cohen remarked, “At three trillion vehicle miles per year, we have almost reached the peak pre-recession travel levels of November 2007.”
Cohen also stated that The Highway Users strongly supports a self-sustaining highway-user supported Highway Trust Fund. We advocate for the federal fuel tax and believe it can provide continuous revenue well into the future. The current rate is simply inadequate to maintain our nation’s enormous infrastructure needs.
The two-day hearing featured several Highway Users’ members, including witnesses representing American Bus Association, American Traffic Safety Services Association, American Trucking Associations, Greyhound, Intelligent Transportation Society of America, National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association, NATSO, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, and Parson Brinckerhoff. Access our testimony
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