From Texas Insider

The Executive Commission of National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission, made up of transportation experts and CEOs across the country, has unveiled a comprehensive plan called “Transportation for Tomorrow.” 

Congress put together a twelve-member Commission in 2005 to examine the condition and operation of the nations surface transportation system. Congress asked the Commission to develop a plan, along with specific recommendations, to help ensure that the surface transportation system would be able to serve the nation now and in the future. 

"Transportation for Tomorrow" details a way to increase investment, expand services, repair infrastructure, demand accountability and refocus Federal transportation programs.  The plan is designed to maintain a strong federal role in surface transportation.

It was commissioned by Congress as part of the SAFETEA-LU bill, in order to provide a roadmap for a better federal infrastructure bill. The next multi-year highway bill technically has to be reauthorized by Sept. 30th and the Commissioners agreed that an efficient surface transportation system will be vital to the future economic growth, the international competitiveness and the social well-being of America.

One disagreement between the group was over the report’s recommendations to reform and finance the surface transportation programs. Three of the twelve commissioners provided a minority view to the report and commissioners Francis X. McArdle, Managing Director, Management Trustee of the New York State Laborers’-Employers’ Cooperation & Education Trust along with Matt Rose, CEO of Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway each gave individual supplemental views.  

The Transportation for Tomorrow plan comes at a critical time in our nation’s history now given the federal stimulus package resources available to transportation infrastructure. Infrastructure projects are a hot and crucial topic both in Texas and across the U.S. If handled right, it could create hundreds of thousand of jobs. 

However, besides the twelve Commissioners who have developed and provided input into this plan, the rest of us must wait on federal decision-making and action.

According to Mike Krusee, former Texas House of Republicans Transportation Committee Chairman from 2003-2007, roads last about 30 years before the need to “rehabilitation,” which is where our nation now stands in road mantanence. It costs $30 million a mile for interstate highways such as I-30. 

Currently for every gallon of gasoline you pump you pay a 20 cent Texas tax on gas (this has remained constant for 20 years) and an 18 cent federal gas tax. However these taxes are no longer sufficient to maintain and develop a better transportation infrastructure. Krusee states that in order to fund current road expansion needs, these gas taxes must increase by at least $1. 

By 2020 Texas is predicted to gain another 20 million people, which means another 800 cars per day will be added to Texas’ roads. 

Something needs to happen to provide adequate transportation routes for Texas’ future, but the question will be whether or not to use stimulus money and raise taxes. The Transportation for Tomorrow report has given Congress interesting recommendations that will or will not be put into place within the next two months. 

Not only does the report affect everyday citizen transportation, but it also affects our nations rail system, which has become an increasingly important factor in the distribution of our everyday goods and materials-such as asphalt for our roads.

Matt Rose, one of the twelve Commissioners, said of the report, “Regardless of whether some or all of the Commission’s recommendations are enacted by Congress, I believe this report is an unqualified success in demonstrating to Congress -- and the drivers and consumers who elect them -- that freight mobility is essential to jobs, global competitiveness and quality of life.”

Rose is scheduled to appear in two weeks at the Austin Economic Club, on May 21st, to discuss transportation infrastructure and the importance of optimizing the U.S. supply chain. Given his background and recent participation and input in the “Transportation for Tomorrow” commission, he is expected to provide a great insight into our nations future of transportation and the effects it will have on her people. 

It is reported that the Austin Economic Club still has tickets available to hear Rose speak. For tickets visit www.AustinEconomicClub.com .