Hear Him, Hear Him

News Flash: Since the administration has rejected any move to raise fuel taxes, it’s incumbent on the Department of Transportation to work with Congress to select another funding source for the nation’s infrastructure needs.

News Flash: It’s imperative that DOT and the administration help get a new highway funding bill through Congress.

While the above sentiments aren’t exactly new in this newspaper or on this editorial page, what makes them “news” now is that they’re from the mouth of DOT’s own inspector general.

As we report in this issue, IG Calvin Scovel III in his office’s annual report told DOT what it needs to do to solve two of its major problems: not enough money and a transportation infrastructure that’s not up to its task. (Click here for story on p. 2 of this week’s issue.)

He wrote, “Since the administration has opposed any increase in the gas tax, given the economic environment, the department will have to work closely with Congress, states and other stakeholders to evaluate all options — including potential changes to the current funding mechanisms, as well as the use of alternative funding mechanisms — to address the resulting funding gap.”

Scovel’s report also chides DOT for delaying the highway funding bill. You will recall that the White House and DOT have been pressing for an 18-month postponement in considering the reauthorization legislation, while several members of Congress, led by Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.), have been loudly pushing for faster action on the bill.

“While the department recognizes the need for an increase in federal spending in support of state highway programs,” Scovel wrote, “it has yet to propose spending levels for the next surface transportation reauthorization.”

Let us add a loud “amen” to Scovel’s report. It’s imperative that DOT both help create an infrastructure development plan and find a way to pay for it.

We have continued to urge DOT and the White House to support an increase in the fuel tax, so long as the money raised is spent on roads and bridges.

And we continue to implore Congress to immediately begin work on new funding legislation.

DOT and the White House have heard it from us and from lots of other groups that rely on the roads, bridges, airports and such to deliver goods around the nation. Now they’ve heard it from DOT’s own Office of the Inspector General.

Is anyone listening?