Truck, trailer groups mobilize to nix federal excise tax

Sources: National Trailer Dealers Association, Brighton, Mich.; CP staff

“Modern, Clean, and Safe Trucks Act of 2019,” H.R. 2381, through which U.S. Representatives Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) and Collin Peterson (D-MN) propose repeal of the 12 percent federal excise tax on heavy-duty trucks, truck bodies, and semi-trailers has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee for further consideration. 

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Road Builders chief frames user fee case in wake of California gas tax vote

Sources: American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), Washington, D.C.; CP staff

Negative election day response to a proposed roll back of a 2017 California Senate measure increasing state gasoline taxes by 12 cents/gallon elicited a strong defense of user fee-based funding models from ARTBA Acting President & CEO William Toohey, Jr.: “By soundly rejecting Proposition 6 and re-electing 95 percent of the state legislators who voted in 2017 to increase the state gas tax to fund needed transportation improvements, California voters showed the public continues to support a user funded approach to infrastructure investment. That’s a message the Trump administration and new Congress should heed as they consider a bipartisan infrastructure package and permanent revenue solution for Highway Trust Fund programs next year.”

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Concrete alliance underscores infrastructure aims in Capitol Hill briefing

Sources: Portland Cement Association, Washington, D.C.; CP staff

The North American Concrete Alliance (NACA), representing 11 materials, product and contractor groups, outlined top industry priorities and policy positions for Congressional Cement Caucus members during an early-February briefing in Washington, D.C., contending:

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ARTBA chairman Zachry prioritizes highway bill, training, grassroots activism

Sources: American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), Washington, D.C.; CP staff

Upon his election as 2015-16 chairman, David Zachry told members that ARTBA will remain laser-focused on ensuring a long-term Highway Trust Fund fix and Congressional approval of a multi-year bill boosting federal surface transportation investment; advocate for increased federal investment in airport construction; and, build “Transportation Makes America Work” lobbying and advocacy communications program participation.

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Trucking federation supports diesel tax increase, questions tolling

12 Bill 400

To cap Infrastructure Week, during which business and labor groups staged rallies and public awareness events in Washington, D.C. and around the country, American Trucking Associations CEO and former two-term Kansas Governor Bill Graves weighed in on his members’ position regarding user fee collections, noting “The trucking industry contributes more than $16.5 billion to the Highway Trust Fund … but we’re willing to do more, to pay more at the pump [and] believe the fuel tax is the most efficient way of funding our critical needs, putting 98 percent of all revenue collected into actual construction.

 
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Late-2014 figures track positively trending construction market

Analyzing federal government data on construction spending through November, Associated General Contractors of America confirms that overall 2014 project activity was set to modestly outpace 2013 totals. Figures released early last month coincide with association members’ push for action on a series of federal infrastructure programs, including funding for highway and transit upgrades, plus clean water initiatives.

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Materials Group: Highway authorization warrants years, not months

Sources: Portland Cement Association, Washington, D.C.; CP staff

On behalf of members representing concrete and asphalt interests, the Highway Materials Group calls on Congress to pass a longer term transportation authorization bill following a temporary highway and bridge funding patch approved as Capitol Hill approached an August recess.

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Civil Engineers debunk Highway Trust Fund myths

In conjunction with the mid-June launch of a campaign-style website, www.fixthefund.org, and federal construction interests’ Rally for Roads on Capitol Hill, American Society of Civil Engineers’ Becky Moylan offered perspective on past, present and future of the federal transportation program.

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DOT’s Foxx, 11 predecessors eschew short-term highway funding mind set

Sources: U.S. Department of Transportation; CP staff

As Congress confronts Highway Trust Fund shortfalls, Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and 11 of his predecessors have informed federal lawmakers that their work does not end with a proposed measure maintaining highway, bridge and transit program funding levels through May 2015.

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Spot labor shortages surface as construction unemployment figures slide

Sources: Associated General Contractors of America, Washington, D.C.; CP staff

Sustaining momentum from April and May, construction employers added 6,000 workers to payrolls in June as the industry’s unemployment rate dropped to 8.2 percent, its lowest level for the month in six years, according to an AGC analysis of new government data.

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