TRIP TALK

By: William M. Wilkins

If you're involved in the highway construction industry, 1997 is going to be a critical year. On Oct. 1, all federal funding for state and local highway improvements will end unless new legislation is enacted to continue the federal-aid highway program.

Whatever happens in the next 12 months will largely determine the federal program for the next five to 10 years. The outcome of the legislation will be in the hands of those of us in the highway construction industry, but we need to pull together and make use of our combined grass-roots resources if we are to be successful.

For this reason, TRIP has been asked to be the primary public relations resource for the newly formed Transportation Construction Coalition (TCC), which is co-chaired by the Associated General Contractors and the American Road & Transportation Builders Association. More than 20 industry associations are taking part in the coalition.

The stakes are high-the legislation passed by Congress next year will determine the level of funding our industry receives and how long that funding level will exist. Morever, the legislation will become the framework that anti-highway groups will try to use in order to try to increase their share of the amount of highway user fees that go for nonhighway purposes.

The new Congress, convening in January, will be hit harder than ever by both Republican and Democrat lawmakers who are advocating major cuts in transportation spending levels through the year 2002 to balance the federal budget. Proposals have been put forth that would cut federal investment in capital improvement programs from $11 billion to $16.5 billion over the next five years.

The TCC is developing a comprehensive lobbying and public relations effort with the primary objective of mobilizing the highway construction industry to help get our message across to key lawmakers. Our major objectives include:

• Call attention to the need for a continued strong federal highway investment program;
• Persuade lawmakers to increase the federal program by at least $10 billion per year, which can be done without an increase in the federal gas tax;
• Take the Highway Trust Fund off-budget to enable money that is now in the Trust Fund to be spent on highway improvements; and
• Make changes in federal law to streamline federal requirements to allow for improved efficiency and delivery of the federal highway program.

You will be hearing more about TCC and its goals in the months ahead. We are producing a video and brochure that will explain TCC and its goals in greater detail. We need your help, and your support. After all, it's your future that's at stake here.

Wilkins is the executive director of The Road Information Program. You may write him in care of the editor.