- Jul 21, 2009
- 133,137
- 69,810
We've been paying for this important part of our infrastructure since the day we bought our first car.
Why is the price of gas so high?
Because of taxes.
Yet liberals, and the president himself is proposing a series of toll systems to help pay for the upkeep of our roads.
Dude, what the hell have you been doing with our gasoline taxes all of these years?
Obama Tolling Proposal
April 30, 2014
By Peter Shelly
financing Grow America Act tolling interstates
Will Congress Follow the Administration's Lead on the Issue?
Ad
It shouldn't surprise anyone in the tolling industry: the Obama administration's proposal to give states the authority to toll existing interstate highways, ending a ban that has been in effect since 1956, began drawing fire before the ink on the president's $302 billion surface transportation bill (dubbed the "GROW AMERICA Act") was even dry.
Terry OSullivan, president of the Laborers International Union of North America, told The Washington Post, "The gas tax remains the most tested and logical way of meeting our critical investment needs." O'Sullivan does agree that something needs to be done, adding that "For too long, Congresss duct-tape approach has made our roads and bridges unsafe, destabilized the construction industry and slowed our economy."
The Alliance for Toll-Free Interstates pointed a finger at the federal pilot program for interstate tolling while registering its opposition to the administration measure. The option for states to place tolls on existing interstate capacity has existed for 23 years, and not a single state has used tolls in this way, a group spokesperson told McClatchey Newspapers. The alliance is predominantly composed of trucking industry representatives such as the American Trucking Associations, but it also includes UPS, FedEx, McDonalds and Dunkin Donuts.
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) claims that truckers generally oppose the tolling of existing federal highways. A representative of the group told an association publication, "t is disappointing to see that the administrations proposal would open the door to a localized interstate system by allowing states to apply tolls to existing toll-free interstate lanes. Truckers in states with 'grandfathered' tolling authorities already know the cost of tolls to their business and personal incomes, as well as to an efficient system of goods movement. OOIDA says truckers also object on the ground that the bill would not prohibit toll revenue from being spent on mass transit and other non-highway transportation projects.
On the other side of the issue, the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association is the leading voice among proponents of the toll funding measure. Tolling is a proven and effective tool to fund and finance more than 5,000 miles of roads, bridges and tunnels in 35 states, Patrick Jones, the groups executive director, told the New York Times. To ensure our roads and bridges remain safe and reliable requires a variety of solutions. All options should be on the table so that states can choose the funding methods that work best for them.
IBTTA has gained widespread traction on the issue in the mainstream media. CBS News and other major sources cited the association's endorsement of the tolling measure. Yesterday, Patrick Jones was one of the guests discussing infrastructure and its funding on National Public Radio's "The Diane Rehm Show."
The Times reports that, "The tolls, along with other changes [proposed in the president's bill], could provide an additional $87 billion for aging roadways, tunnels and bridges." Organizations Start to Choose Sides on Obama Tolling Proposal - Toll Roads News
April 30, 2014
By Peter Shelly
financing Grow America Act tolling interstates
Will Congress Follow the Administration's Lead on the Issue?
Ad
It shouldn't surprise anyone in the tolling industry: the Obama administration's proposal to give states the authority to toll existing interstate highways, ending a ban that has been in effect since 1956, began drawing fire before the ink on the president's $302 billion surface transportation bill (dubbed the "GROW AMERICA Act") was even dry.
Terry OSullivan, president of the Laborers International Union of North America, told The Washington Post, "The gas tax remains the most tested and logical way of meeting our critical investment needs." O'Sullivan does agree that something needs to be done, adding that "For too long, Congresss duct-tape approach has made our roads and bridges unsafe, destabilized the construction industry and slowed our economy."
The Alliance for Toll-Free Interstates pointed a finger at the federal pilot program for interstate tolling while registering its opposition to the administration measure. The option for states to place tolls on existing interstate capacity has existed for 23 years, and not a single state has used tolls in this way, a group spokesperson told McClatchey Newspapers. The alliance is predominantly composed of trucking industry representatives such as the American Trucking Associations, but it also includes UPS, FedEx, McDonalds and Dunkin Donuts.
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) claims that truckers generally oppose the tolling of existing federal highways. A representative of the group told an association publication, "t is disappointing to see that the administrations proposal would open the door to a localized interstate system by allowing states to apply tolls to existing toll-free interstate lanes. Truckers in states with 'grandfathered' tolling authorities already know the cost of tolls to their business and personal incomes, as well as to an efficient system of goods movement. OOIDA says truckers also object on the ground that the bill would not prohibit toll revenue from being spent on mass transit and other non-highway transportation projects.
On the other side of the issue, the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association is the leading voice among proponents of the toll funding measure. Tolling is a proven and effective tool to fund and finance more than 5,000 miles of roads, bridges and tunnels in 35 states, Patrick Jones, the groups executive director, told the New York Times. To ensure our roads and bridges remain safe and reliable requires a variety of solutions. All options should be on the table so that states can choose the funding methods that work best for them.
IBTTA has gained widespread traction on the issue in the mainstream media. CBS News and other major sources cited the association's endorsement of the tolling measure. Yesterday, Patrick Jones was one of the guests discussing infrastructure and its funding on National Public Radio's "The Diane Rehm Show."
The Times reports that, "The tolls, along with other changes [proposed in the president's bill], could provide an additional $87 billion for aging roadways, tunnels and bridges." Organizations Start to Choose Sides on Obama Tolling Proposal - Toll Roads News
Grow American act????
You mean Screw America Act!!!
This is simply another way to jack up the price of goods and services in this country.
Add another fee to transportation costs and you end up costing the consumer even more.
