Alerts and other info from the MRF
Who's Going to Pay for This?
Who’s Going to Pay for This?
The old saying in Washington, D.C. is "A billion here, a billion there, and pretty soon you're talking real money." It is no secret that the Federal Government continues to spend more money than it takes in. This week the House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit held a hearing on just this topic. The hearing entitled "Running on Empty: The Highway Trust Fund" focused on the growing shortfall between money taken in to pay for roads and infrastructure and the money being spent by Congress on those projects.
The Highway Trust Fund is intended to function as a piggy bank. Revenues from gasoline and diesel fuel taxes are collected and the money is dedicated to the construction of federal highways. However, over the last thirty (30) plus years the model has started to fall apart. The federal gas tax of 18.4 cents per gallon has not been increased since 1993. Surging inflation means that 18.4 cents per gallon does not go as far in 2023 as it did in 1993. Add to that the push for more fuel-efficient or electric cars and the result is less fuel sold and thus less money in the Highway Trust Fund.
In the last 15 years, the gap between money collected and money spent has reached $275 billion! This shortfall results in government borrowing and further government debt. The current system is not working, and policymakers are searching for solutions.
The most discussed solution is transitioning away from motor fuel taxes to a fee, charging individual
vehicles for their miles traveled, called a VMT fee. The most recent 2021 Highway Bill included a directive that the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Treasury conduct pilot programs in all fifty (50) states.
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) understands the need to properly fund the construction, maintenance and repair of our roadways. However, we remain committed to protecting the interests of bikers. Any tax system must be fair and equitable for motorcyclists. It goes without saying that the weight of a motorcycle does far less damage to a roadway than much heavier vehicles. As such, any tax should consider the wear and tear caused by the vehicles being taxed.
Additionally, privacy concerns with any tracked miles are immense! Tracking by outside parties using GPS or other technologies that collect and record where we ride, who we ride with, and how we ride is something the MRF takes extremely seriously. Both data recording and transportation taxes are two priorities that have been and will remain a part of the MRF legislative agenda.
The highway funding tab will eventually come due. The funding system for our roads is broken, but the MRF is committed to protecting and defending the interests of bikers no matter what solution is eventually agreed upon.
About Motorcycle Riders Foundation
The Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) provides leadership at the federal level for states’ motorcyclists’ rights organizations as well as motorcycle clubs and individual riders. The MRF is chiefly concerned with issues at the national and international levels that impact the freedom and safety of American street motorcyclists. The MRF is committed to being a national advocate for the advancement of motorcycling and its associated lifestyle and works in conjunction with its partners to help educate elected officials and policymakers in Washington and beyond.
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