Page 15 - ATR 6 2013 digital

Ray Kubacki, chairman and CEO of The current tax is 24.4 cents per American Trucking Associations
Acton, Mass.-based Psychemedics Corp, gallon on diesel and 18.4 cents per gal- (ATA) has led an effort in recent years
with business partnerships in Brazil, lon on gasoline. to boost federal fuel taxes but has met
commented, “We applaud the Brazilian Rep. Blumenauer acknowledged the stiff resistance in Washington.
Federal Government for its leadership gas tax is unpopular with the public and ATA has long supported an
role in utilizing the rigorous hair test that an increase doesn’t have strong increase in fuel taxes to keep up with
to ensure public safety on the roads of odds of passing. House Republicans have the nation’s infrastructure needs and
Brazil.” opposed any tax increases. Meanwhile, ensure freight moves efficiently. A fuel
Legislation introduced by U.S. MAP-21, the current surface transpor- tax is the most effective funding source
Senators Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) and tation authorization law, is set to expire because it is collected from users and
John Boozman (R-Ark.) directs the U.S. September 2014, about six weeks before has minimal administrative costs, Mary
Department of Health and Human the midterm elections. Phillips, ATA senior vice president of
Services to accept hair testing as an “Frankly, there has been a biparti- legislative affairs, said at the news con-
acceptable form of drug testing. san failure of will,” Blumenauer said at ference.
a news conference, joined by represen- “Our support for raising the fuel
laWMakEr ProPosEs 15¢ tatives from labor, business, trucking, tax should clearly demonstrate just
iNcrEasE iN fUEl tax transit and road builder groups. how critical good roads are for moving
On December 4, U.S. Rep. Earl He said he hopes he can garner a freight, commuters, vacationers and
Blumenauer (D-Ore.) unveiled the hearing on transportation financing shoppers,” she said.
“Update, Promote and Develop and spur proposals from other members Congress last raised the federal fuel
America’s Transportation Essentials Act of Congress. tax by 4 cents in 1993, but its purchas-
of 2013” — H.R. 3636 — which would “It’s about paying for what we ing power has diminished. Inflation,
gradually add 15 cents to diesel and fuel use and investing in our future,” more efficient vehicles on the road and
tax by 2016 to fill a widening shortfall Blumenauer said. “It isn’t popular — people driving less have contributed to a
in the federal government’s main source everybody wants somebody else to take gap in the Highway Trust Fund.
of transportation funding. the first step.” 

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