Skip to main content
EVENT TRACKER
Keep track of rescheduled, canceled industry events with our COVID-affected event tracker - Powered by Snap Finance
Close
Sister Publication Links
  • Rubber & Plastics News
  • European Rubber Journal
tb-logo
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • OPINION
    • CORONAVIRUS
    • AUTO INDUSTRY
    • BUSINESS/FINANCIAL
    • COMMERCIAL TIRE
    • FACTORY FIXES
    • GOVERNMENT & LAW
    • INTERNATIONAL
    • MOTOR SPORTS
    • NEW PRODUCTS
    • RETAIL TIRES
    • SERVICE ZONE
    • SEMA/AAPEX
    • SMALL BUSINESS
    • TIRE MAKERS
    • SPONSORED CONTENT
    • Tire Cologne canceled; rescheduled until 2022
      New round of Paycheck Protection Program funding opens
      Vaccine may usher sense of normalcy
      Cover-up: More retailers requiring face masks to curb COVID
    • Icahn Auto trims fiscal 2020 operating loss despite 14% lower sales
      Oshkosh unit gets contract for new USPS local delivery vehicle
      Sumitomo adds treadwear-detection to 'Sensor Core' toolkit
      New Porsche 911 GT3 to feature Michelin fitment
    • Icahn Auto trims fiscal 2020 operating loss despite 14% lower sales
      Oshkosh unit gets contract for new USPS local delivery vehicle
      Yokohama sets ambitious goals through 2023
      Conti recalling 94,000 Conti-, General-, Barum-brand LT/SUV tires
    • TravelCenters plans 6 TA Express sites in California in 2021
      Carlisle TyrFil broadens recycling technology options
      U.K. retreader Vaculug to promote tread rubber supplier Vipal
      TMC moves spring conference online, sets trade show for September
    • Oshkosh unit gets contract for new USPS local delivery vehicle
      Conti recalling 94,000 Conti-, General-, Barum-brand LT/SUV tires
      Cooper expands recall of Cooper, Mastercraft grand-touring tires
      DOT issues 13 tire plant ID codes in 2020
    • Yokohama sets ambitious goals through 2023
      OK Tire secures exclusivity for Blackhawk tire brand
      U.K. retreader Vaculug to promote tread rubber supplier Vipal
      Execs: Goodyear acquisition of Cooper will benefit dealers
    • Bridgestone World Solar Challenge canceled due to pandemic restrictions
      Pirelli, Goodyear ink sedan racing series contracts in Canada, Europe
      Goodyear extends partnership with Nürburgring race circuit
      BFG to support ATV/UTV racers in WORCS series
    • Michelin launching ‘eco-responsible' performance tire for sporty EVs
      Martins Industries launches products in 3 categories
      Carlisle TyrFil broadens recycling technology options
      New McLaren supercar incorporates Pirelli's Cyber Tyre system
    • Icahn Auto trims fiscal 2020 operating loss despite 14% lower sales
      Cooper recalling 430,000+ whitewall LT tires in multiple brands
      OK Tire secures exclusivity for Blackhawk tire brand
      NPW hires Switzer as national sales manager
    • Automotive Lift Institute introduces Check360 inspection, label
      Martins Industries launches products in 3 categories
      Marinucci: Effective road test may eliminate issues
      Our View: Shops must alter ways to attract, retain talent
    • SEMA scholarships and loan forgiveness now available
      WTC hosting webinar Jan. 20 on load-capacity standards
      Denver's Brian Sump named AAPEX Shop Owner of the Year
      DUB, TIS Wheels founder Myles Kovacs is SEMA Person of the Year
    • Trade groups oppose minimum wage increase proposal
      New stimulus package fixes PPP loan confusion
      Vaccine may usher sense of normalcy
      2020 Review: PPP loans give boost to small businesses
    • Michelin launching ‘eco-responsible' performance tire for sporty EVs
      Goodyear, Cooper deal creates tire production synergies
      Goodyear promotes Helsel to senior VP, global operations role
      Tire dealers see possibilities in Goodyear, Cooper deal
    • Sponsored By Yokohama Tire Company
      7 questions to ask consumers when they need tires for a crossover SUV
      Sponsored By Yokohama Tire Company
      Stocking Tires for Crossover SUVs
      Sponsored By AppointmentPlus
      Three Important Lessons Learned for the Tire Business During a Pandemic
      Sponsored By Yokohama Tire Company
      7 questions to ask consumers when they need tires for a crossover SUV
  • SHOP FLOOR
    • BALANCING
    • DEMOUNTING
    • SAFETY
    • TIRE REPAIR
    • TPMS
    • TRAINING
    • VEHICLE LIFTING
    • WHEEL TORQUE
    • Video: Balancing Tire
      Safety tips for wheel balancing
      An introduction to wheel balancing
      Wheel weights: Balancing form with function
    • Video: Demounting
      Tire changer types, tips and trends
      How to clear rim rust and corrosion
      An introduction to demounting, mounting and inflation
    • Video: Safety
      Customers
      Considerations for shop safety policies
      Introduction: Creating a culture of safety
    • Video: Tire Repair
      Essential tools, materials and equipment for tire repair
      An introduction to tire repair
      How to properly patch a puncture
    • Video: TMPS Service
      The life-saving work of TPMS
      An introduction to TPMS service
      The importance of proper relearn procedures
    • Video: Training
      Internship ideas to attract tech talent
      Choosing the right auto service tech school
      Intro: Finding and training technicians
    • Video:Vehicle Lifting
      The gravity of proper lift points
      Safety essentials when using jack stands
      An introduction to lifts and lift safety
    • Video: Wheel Torque
      The importance of torque specifications
      Introduction to proper wheel installation
      Torque check and recheck recommendations
  • Multimedia
    • VIDEOS
    • PHOTOS
    • PODCASTS
  • Events
    • ASK THE EXPERT
    • LIVESTREAMS
    • WEBINARS
    • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
  • Data
    • DATA STORE
  • Resources
    • DIRECTORY
    • CLASSIFIEDS
  • ADVERTISE
  • DIGITAL EDITION
  • Awards
    • Tire Dealer Humanitarian Award
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
June 26, 2015 02:00 AM

Senate committee DRIVEs highway funding bill

Miles Moore
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    (Bloomberg News photo)

    By Miles Moore, Senior Washington Reporter

    WASHINGTON (June 29, 2015) — The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW) has introduced a six-year bipartisan transportation funding reauthorization bill, just days after the House Ways and Means and Senate Finance Committees held hearings on the issue.

    The committee announced the bill June 23 and held a business meeting on it the following day. The bill is S. 1647, the Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy (DRIVE) Act.

    “The DRIVE Act will provide states and local communities with the certainty they deserve to plan and construct infrastructure projects efficiently,” said EPW Chairman James Inhofe, R-Okla., in a press release announcing the bill's introduction.

    US-Senate-EPW.png

    According to a summary on the EPW website, the DRIVE Act will reauthorize the federal highway program at an increased funding level for fiscal years 2016 through 2021, though the committee did not provide a dollar estimate.

    The bill preserves the existing highway program structure, including the National Highway Performance Program, the Highway Safety Improvement Program, the Surface Transportation Program and the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program.

    Among other things, the DRIVE Act would also:

    • Establish a formula-based freight program, providing funds to all states to improve the movement of goods;
    • Establish a competitive grant program to fund highway projects of high importance;
    • Improve transparency as to how and where Highway Trust Fund dollars are spent;
    • Update and improve the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) to help state and local governments fund transportation projects; and
    • Provide new flexibility for funding small projects, including rural road and bridge projects.

    Early comments on the DRIVE Act were mixed.

    “The six-year bipartisan bill put forth by the (EPW) Committee represents light-years of progress over the more than 30 destructive short-term patches Congress has been able to muster in the last decade,” said Terry O'Sullivan, general president of the Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA).

    However, Lisa Mullings, president and CEO of the National Association of Truck Stop Operators (NATSO), objected to a provision in the DRIVE Act that would make it easier for states to place tolls on existing interstate highways and divert toll revenue to non-highway projects.

    “Tolls divert highway traffic off of the interstates and onto secondary roads, which can create unsafe driving conditions in our communities,” Ms. Mullings said. “Furthermore, tolls are an inefficient double tax on interstate travelers.”

    The Tire Industry Association (TIA) has not issued a specific comment on the DRIVE Act. However, TIA opposes new highway tolls, as well as many other suggested highway funding mechanisms including reinstatement of former federal excise taxes on tires or increases on existing ones.

    In testimony submitted to House Ways and Means June 17 and Senate Finance June 18, TIA made its position plain, according to TIA Executive Vice President Roy Littlefield.

    “While we support a long-term bill, we are opposed to many proposals being circulated,” Mr. Littlefield said in the June 22 issue of TIA's Weekly Legislative Update.

    Asked about the EPW transportation bill, Mr. Littlefield said he found it very encouraging.

    “We like that there's no tire registration proposal in it,” he told Tire Business. A provision in the Obama administration's reauthorization package — which would pave the way for a return to mandatory registration and severe penalties for noncompliant tire dealers — is a particular sore point with TIA.

    “We're happy that it's a six-year bill, and we're happy that it's bipartisan,” Mr. Littlefield said. “But we also see that the funding mechanisms aren't in place. It's a great step forward, but there's still a long way to go.”

    TIA has said it favors the proposal of Rep. John Delaney, D-Md., to create a $50 billion federal transportation fund. That fund would be bankrolled from bonds purchased by U.S. corporations seeking a tax break on money earned abroad and brought back to the U.S.

    The Bowie, Md.-based trade group also wants to see an end to diversion of money intended for the Highway Trust Fund. “We are approaching 30 percent of the funds collected for the Highway Trust Fund diverted for non-highway purposes,” Mr. Littlefield said.

    Congress has until July 31 to pass a transportation funding bill. On June 24, the National Governors Association (NGA) wrote the congressional leadership urging them to act quickly to pass long-term reauthorization.

    “Strengthening our nation's infrastructure is vital for governors to advance economic growth and global competitiveness, create jobs and improve overall quality of life,” the NGA said.

    “Federal Highway Trust Fund reimbursements to state cover the federal share of contracted work already completed,” it said. “Delaying congressional action on a long-term reauthorization and allowing the HTF to become exhausted will not change the fact that states must pay those bills.”

    ________________________________

    To reach this reporter: [email protected]

    Related Articles
    Tire registration bill introduced in Senate
    TIA blasts efforts to re-establish mandatory tire registration (Update)
    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Do you have an opinion about this story? Do you have some thoughts you'd like to share with our readers? Tire Business would love to hear from you. Email your letter to Editor Don Detore at [email protected].

    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Newsletter Center

    Staying current is easy with Tire Business delivered straight to your inbox.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Subscribe to Tire Business

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • RSS

    Our Mission

    Tire Business is an award-winning publication dedicated to providing the latest news, data and insights into the tire and automotive service industries.

    tb-logo
    Reader Services
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • Site Map
    • Industry Sites
    • Order Reprints
    • Customer Service: 877-320-1716
    Partner Sites
    • Rubber & Plastics News
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Automotive News
    • Plastics News
    • Plastics News China
    • Urethanes Technology
    RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Media Guide
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Classified Rates
    • Digital Edition
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    Copyright © 1996-2021. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • OPINION
      • CORONAVIRUS
      • AUTO INDUSTRY
      • BUSINESS/FINANCIAL
      • COMMERCIAL TIRE
      • FACTORY FIXES
      • GOVERNMENT & LAW
      • INTERNATIONAL
      • MOTOR SPORTS
      • NEW PRODUCTS
      • RETAIL TIRES
      • SERVICE ZONE
      • SEMA/AAPEX
      • SMALL BUSINESS
      • TIRE MAKERS
      • SPONSORED CONTENT
    • SHOP FLOOR
      • BALANCING
      • DEMOUNTING
      • SAFETY
      • TIRE REPAIR
      • TPMS
      • TRAINING
      • VEHICLE LIFTING
      • WHEEL TORQUE
    • Multimedia
      • VIDEOS
      • PHOTOS
      • PODCASTS
    • Events
      • ASK THE EXPERT
      • LIVESTREAMS
      • WEBINARS
      • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
    • Data
      • DATA STORE
    • Resources
      • DIRECTORY
      • CLASSIFIEDS
    • ADVERTISE
    • DIGITAL EDITION
    • Awards
      • Tire Dealer Humanitarian Award