Road builders lobby opposes repatriation scheme to fund highway bill. The Hill:
Road builders lobby opposes repatriation scheme to fund highway bill. The Hill:
“The American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) issued a proposal Thursday to nearly double the gas tax. If lawmakers find that politically untenable Pete Ruane, the group’s president, offered a potential deal sweetener. ‘If our national leaders think they need to use budget gimmicks … then use those devices to provide a $90 tax rebate to middle and lower income tax filers … Just using repatriation as a one-time, short-term patch for Highway Trust Fund investments does not address or resolve the trust fund’s underlying revenue stream problem.'”
More
http://thehill.com/policy/transportation/235584-the-next-looming-shutdown-highway-programs
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While a 1-time repatriation won't cover needed infrastructure costs, one can't help but suspect the motives of a biz org in its opposition. The amount would certainly be a boost to needed funds -- as long as it isn't hijacked by Repubs to solve other money problems (for example, what they feel are disasterous cuts to military).
And while an increase in gas tax is probably inevitable, double would be a bit self-defeating since mid- & low-income drivers would be forced to cut gas usage. Less travel means smaller input into economy (ie tourism)
I'm supposing that gas tax is sole source of infrastructure funding, but hope I'm wrong. How can that be sufficient in the first place?
