The Highway Trust Fund is a transportation fund in the United States which receives money from a federal fuel tax of 18.4 cents per gallon on gasoline and 24.4 cents per gallon of diesel fuel and related excise taxes. In part the Fund provides money to states which funds road construction and repair. It was established in 1956 to finance the United States Interstate Highway System and certain other roads.
Well I think I hope it does run out. That they do NOT pass it. But let me explain...
WASHINGTON -- The Senate inched forward Friday on a $45 billion, three-year bill to fund the nation's highways, bridges and roads -- one week before all funding runs out. Senators voted 51-26 on a procedural motion that puts the bill one step closer to final passage. - Jennifer Bendery 07/24/2015
Now what would Lansing lawmakers say if the Highway Bill failed in Washington D.C. and the funds it provides to Michigan stopped flowing to our road projects? Would they complain that the Reps in D.C. are 'not doing their job' by failing to get Michigan their share of federal money for roads ? Would they cry and complain like babies?
Well probably yes. At first. But then I think this might happen.
Our hired help in Lansing might stop to remind themselves that their job is, in part, to fulfill the requirements of the Michigan State Constitution. That hallowed document in part states that it is their sworn duty to 'keep Michigan roads in reasonable repair'. Then they might take note of a recent study that shows more than half of Detroit, Flint and Grand Rapids' roads are in poor condition, even dangerous. This study was put together by the transportation research group TRIP. That makes Michigan roads, the roads they are responsible for, some of the worst in the nation!
And to move things along in Washington, they may draft a letter to Congress urging them to act appropriately and approve funding of the Highway Bill for future years, so Michigan can keep it's roads in safe and 'reasonable repair'. Just like the Michigan constitution requires.
They may come to understand and empathize with the struggle Michigan drivers have dealing with the repair costs associated with Michigan's crumbling roads. These costs affect motorists in Detroit, Flint and Grand Rapids who pay over $800 in additional annual upkeep because of poor road conditions. Lansing drivers paying an extra $733 annual extra vehicle operating cost and Ann Arbor drivers forking out up to $571 in annual repair bills.
And at last our noble Michigan legislators might come to realize the hypocrisy of their own actions over the last several years, specifically their inaction to fund our own road repairs, and make the lofty decision to come together in a show of bi-partisanship and compromise and finally levy the needed taxes, make the budget changes and do whatever is necessary to finally make Michigan roads not the Worst In The Nation, but the most envied in the nation. An admirable goal for the state which is the cradle of the worlds greatest automobile industry.
Naaaww - Who am I kidding! I hope the Highway Trust Fund extension bill passes in congress and we get our needed federal road money. Because nothing will change in Lansing. Our Michigan lawmakers are useless and they have proved it. Under their leadership, or lack thereof, Michigan ranks second to last in state per-capita spending on roads and will continue in that ranking because Michigan legislators that are as lousy at their job as our roads.
And that's why I hope the Highway Trust Find bill passes.
Drive Careful,
Will
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