Tilting at transportation infrastructure
There's no doubt Rep. James Oberstar, chairman of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, is a champion in the freight industry's efforts to improve the nation's woefully neglected transportation system.
The Minnesota Democrat, along with a small bipartisan cadre of congressmen, appears undaunted in his efforts to pursue a new comprehensive $500 billion surface transportation authorization bill to replace the expiring SAFETEA-LU. The Highway Trust Fund is expected to run out of money by the end of August, which means the Transportation Department will not have the money to meet its grants commitment to states for the remainder of the fiscal year.
However, like the tragic hero Don Quixote charging at windmills, Oberstar is faced with near insurmountable odds, including a new presidential administration gripped by economic recession, ongoing war in the Middle East, and aspirations for energy and health care reform legislation. Even within the ranks on Capitol Hill at this time, there is a void of enthusiasm for transportation improvements.
Now that's not to say Oberstar should give up the good fight to improve our nation's freight transportation infrastructure. Highways and bridges continue to crumble and pose many dangers to the American people, as well as threaten the viability of our economy. Freight industry and government analysts have made it well known that the intermodal connectors between the ports and the country's population centers risk being overrun by future trade volumes. Oberstar provides hope that these problems can be overcome, but a full-blown remake of the SAFETEA-LU at this time is simply unrealistic.
While the nation's 18.4-cents-per-gallon gas tax for infrastructure maintenance hasn't been raised in 16 years, a cash-strapped public will oppose such an effort, despite the fact major industry groups generally support the increase if the money is fenced solely for transportation infrastructure improvements.
For now, the more realistic option for Oberstar and the freight transportation industry lobby is to support the Obama administration's proposal to extend the existing SAFETEA-LU spending plan, which includes an assist from the general fund of $18 billion to pay for highway maintenance and safety, and $2 billion for transit programs through March 2011.
It's a small Band-Aid for a big problem, but better than pursuing a fruitless all-or-nothing tactic with the White House and Capitol Hill. Oberstar and the freight transportation industry should use this time to keep the voice for transportation infrastructure modernization strong, while demonstrating cooperation with the White House through early 2011. This will help garner political support and make it much easier to renew SAFETEA-LU when the economy recovers.
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