Page 34 - ATR 4 2014 web

FUNDING,
Continued from page 20
“i doN’t thiNk that [the publiC] waNts

the costs, only 14 percent support an CrumbliNg iNfrastruCture aNd oVerwhelmiNg
increase in the fuel tax, while 58 per- CoNgestioN, either, aNd at some poiNt you’Ve
cent are opposed. Only 17 percent favor got to balaNCe the two.”
letting private companies construct toll
roads and bridges, 20 percent support a
vehicle miles traveled tax, and 30 per- —shaNNoN NewtoN,
cent support giving states and localities presideNt, arkaNsas truCkiNg assoCiatioN
responsibility for road projects.
But that doesn’t tell the whole
story, Newton said. While Americans extending the Highway Trust Fund’s Most members of Congress believe
might oppose fuel taxes in theory, they solvency until May gives Congress more that highway infrastructure is a funda-
might support specific taxes where time to craft a solution. And unlike mental responsibility of the federal gov-
the benefits clearly are explained, as other issues, such as health care, a ernment, Roth said. Unfortunately, the
was the case with the Connecting solution can be found. Democrats and political environment makes it harder
Arkansas Program and the Interstate Republicans both agree on the impor- for them to make sure the government
Rehabilitation Program. tance of infrastructure. fulfills that responsibility.
“I don’t think that they want crum- “No matter the makeup of the “I think if it was a secret ballot,
bling infrastructure and overwhelming House and Senate, in the next Congress, you would have overwhelming support
congestion, either, and at some point, we’ve got commitments from everybody in Congress for a fuel tax increase,”
you’ve got to balance the two,” she said. involved now to engage in these con- he said. “They just don’t want to take
If Congress doesn’t increase rev- versations throughout the end of the the risky vote. But I’m not suggesting
enue, a debate must begin about how year,” she said. “If chairmen and ranking that they won’t. Hopefully, we’ll get a
to prioritize current funding, Roth said. members change in 2015, everybody still vote, and hopefully we’ll win. Especially
In fact, the ATA long has been arguing understands the importance of getting just before an election, it’s tough to
about the need to have that debate. this done and the importance of having get someone to commit to voting to
Boozman’s Facchiano said that some sort of a long-term solution.” increase any tax.”

WALMART, They didn’t have a part of retail before.”

Continued from page 24 Neeley acknowledged there is
another issue facing trucking compa-
long time, Neeley said. nies waiting to pounce on the reshoring
“If we’re going to manufacture initiative; the current driver shortage.
here, we have to rebuild the supply The trucking industry provides great
chain here,” he said. “When these com- opportunities, Neeley said. It’s going
panies left, the supply chain in many to have to invest in finding and train-
industries broke down. We’ll see that ing new drivers to meet the coming
parts, raw materials and components demand, he said.
will have to be made in the United “The trucking industry in America
States, so companies can have those will be the lifeline in this entire
close to their facilities. We’re going Made in USA initiative,” Neeley said.
to need trucks to help bring back the “It cannot be a success if American
supply chain so these companies can quickly. The potential is enormous, truckers don’t have the infrastructure,
manufacture.” Neeley said. the drivers and the rebuilt supply chain
Domestic manufacturing plants “I see this impacting the truck- to be able to make all the connections
will mean companies can significantly ing industry the way the Internet and to make this possible. Trucking is the
reduce the time it takes a product to Amazon impacted FedEx and UPS,” link and the lifeline for this whole
get to market, and trucking is essential he said. “Look at what it did for those initiative.”
for moving products and parts around industries — it blew up their business.

34 ArkAnsAs truckinG rePort | issue 4 2014