Page 11 - ATR 1 2016 web

NEwS IN brIEf

everyone’s best interest that Arkansas
have an adequately funded, safe, effi-
cient transportation system that is
capable of meeting the needs of the citi-
zens that live here and the businesses
delivering commerce in and through
our state.”
Bill Stovall, executive director of
Arkansas Community Colleges, said the
governor’s proposal “looks like a vision
that spreads the pain out so softly and
over so many years I think everyone
should be OK with it.”
Scott Bennett, director of the
Arkansas Highway and Transportation
Department, said that although the
Governor’s Working Group on Highway
Funding set a goal of finding $110 mil-
lion a year; Hutchinson’s proposal is a
ark. governor reveals will require approval by lawmakers in a good first step.
highway Plan, no new special legislative session.
Fuel tax In the federal highway bill Congress Fresh executive teaM at
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson passed in December, Arkansas has usa truck
announced his plan to boost highway access to at least $200 million a year USA Truck, in Van Buren, Ark., has
funding by $750 million over 10 years pending a state match. a new executive team with the January
and to qualify for $2 billion in matched The state needs $46.1 million appointment of new president and chief
federal highway dollars, by tapping state in additional funds by Sept. 30 and executive officer, John (“Randy”) R.
surpluses and redirecting funds. an average of about $50 million a Rogers.
The plan doesn’t raise any taxes, year thereafter. The Governor’s plan Rogers succeeds Thomas Glaser,
including the state’s gas and diesel would meet matching criteria for who will remain on the board and has
taxes, but it will, for the first time, 2016 by transferring $40 million from been appointed vice chairman.
use state general revenue to pay for the state’s unallocated surplus into USA Truck Chairman Robert A.
highways. highways. Peiser said, “Randy is a highly accom-
Hutchinson’s proposal reallocates If the surplus funds fail to reach plished transportation and logistics
sales taxes from new and used cars up $48 million a year in future years, the executive with an impressive track
to $25 million a year over a five-year Governor promised to consider ideas record in one of the world’s top logistics
period, reallocating $2.7 million a year proposed by the Governor’s Highway companies.
from the state’s diesel tax and no longer Working Group. Rogers was previously president
deducting $5.4 million a year for state “Our industry supports the of Energy and Chemicals Americas
central services from the state’s half- Governor’s proposals on highway fund- for DHL Supply Chain (formerly Exel
percent sales tax devoted to highways. ing,” said Shannon Newton, Arkansas Logistics). He joined DHL Supply Chain
Legislators praised the plan, which Trucking Association president. “It is in 

arkansas trucking rePort | issue 1 2016 11