No Leadership - No Highway Bill

Given their failure in crafting a stimulus program which would actually create private sector jobs and bring the unemployment rate down, or their multiple failures on the foreign policy front, or their pathetic response in dealing with the BP spill, it really shouldn’t be too surprising that this Administration is MIA (Missing In Action) when it comes to transportation issues.

On one front you have their failure to work with Jim Oberstar and the House Transportation Committee in passing a Highway Bill. On another front, you could look at Obama’s Secretary of Transportation, the clueless Secretary Ray LaHood, who only recently discovered that, by golly, maybe trucks are actually important to this country’s supply chain. Clearly this Administration is bent on proving that their incompetence is not confined to any one area.

As we have noted in earlier articles, this nation’s last Highway Bill, SAFETEA-LU expired on September 30, 2009. While delays in passing new highway legislation are common, what makes this situation unique is that nine months after the expiration of SAFETEA-LU, this Administration has shown no inclination to even begin action to enact a new Highway Bill. To his credit the Chairman of the Transportation Committee Rep. Oberstar has been pushing for progress in drafting and passing a new Highway Bill, but the Administration has not cooperated.

With an estimated price tag of $500 Billion, this legislation will have to be funded by an increase in the gas tax, the use of additional tolls, and the implementation of user fees. So instead of actually demonstrating leadership and explaining to the American public why this job creating Highway Bill is necessary, the Administration continues to hide behind the use of supplemental appropriations to fund short term, or shovel ready projects that add to our federal budget deficit.

What makes this matter even more galling is that the money that was allocated with the failed Stimulus Bill could have been directed towards funding a new Highway Bill. But that would have required exercising effective leadership and acting in the best interests of this country instead of repaying the unions and special interest groups that got them elected.

What’s the solution?
Ideally, every one that reads this Blog would make their voices heard. How can you do that? First, we need to combat the perception that “freight doesn’t vote.” So pick up the phone and call or write your representatives’ offices and let them know: America needs a new Highway Bill! And if you are so inclined, financially support those representatives who understand the importance of transportation issues.

Second, join industry transportation and logistics associations that are bringing shippers and carriers interests to the attention of our political leaders. These great organizations are actively working to raise the awareness and importance of transportation in keeping America’s freight moving.

Finally, make a commitment to stay informed about the issues. Recently while asking a Congress person for their support on an important piece of transportation legislation (HR 1799), he questioned why he should be a co-sponsor. Because I make a point of staying informed on industry issues, I was able to share the facts provided by the Coalition for Transportation Productivity (CTP).

We don’t know whether these efforts will make a difference. But what we do know is that through groups such as CTP, NIT League, NASSTRAC, CSCMP, ATA, and TIA, we all can easily access information about issues that will affect your transportation costs in the future.

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