21 Years Since the Last Investment Boost to the Gas Tax

Washington, D.C. (October 1, 2014) – Terry O’Sullivan, General President of LIUNA – the Laborers’ International Union of North America – made the following statement on the 21^st anniversary since the last significant investment boost was made to the nation’s transportation infrastructure: 

“It has been 21 years since the last significant boost was made to the nation’s transportation infrastructure. The last investment hike – a 4.3 cent per gallon increase to the gas tax – went into effect October 1, 1993. In the 21 years since the gas tax was last raised, bridges have continued to collapse and numerous roads have crumbled. The American Society of Engineers has ranked the U.S. transportation system at nearly failing. Thirty percent of America’s bridges have exceeded their 50-year design life, and bad roads contribute to a third of all traffic fatalities.

 

Mineta Transportation Institute conducted a poll showing that 58 percent of Americans support a 10 cents increase in the gas tax to maintain their bridges, roads, and highways, still Congress continues to avoid addressing the shortfalls in the Highway Trust Fund. The next consideration of a long-term highway bill has been postponed again until May 2015. How many bridges have to collapse until America’s roads and bridges finally receive a raise?”

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