Page 35 - 2019 Washington DC Trip Packet

TRANSPORTATION FUNDING

Last year, President Trump unveiled a plan that aims to stimulate $1.5
trillion in new infrastructure spending over the next decade. The President
hopes to invest over $200 billion in federal money to catalyze state and
private sector spending. The big question is how the plan will be paid for.
A significant state matching requirement is almost certain to be part of the
package—states will need to step up with significant matching funds to
unlock federal funds.

The infrastructure proposal could include permanent streamlining of federal
projects approval (the so-called two years, one decision model); a
commitment to public / private partnerships for infrastructure projects (AKA,
financing flexibility); and the prioritization of projects that will lead to the
highest economic return.

The US Chamber of Commerce supports a five cent / five-year increase in
the federal gas tax, which hasn’t been altered since 1993. This would
generate an additional $375 billion over the next 10 years. We believe that
Congress should seek a long-term, sustainable funding stream for
transportation programs, and that a gas tax increase is the simplest, most
effective short-term way to increase infrastructure spending (even as
people drive less and cars become more fuel efficient.) While Forward

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