Posted on 01/22/2008 3:48:21 PM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
WASHINGTON – Only exports stand between the economy and recession, setting up another national argument about how to handle the rising flow of goods in and out of the country.
Transportation fights are usually about who pays to build the roads and transit systems, with little said about trade.
The Bush administration and Gov. Rick Perry have supported tolls and steadfastly opposed higher gasoline taxes. A new national study urges paying for desperately needed improvements any way we can, but one thing it specifically recommends is an increase in the federal gas tax of 40 cents a gallon over the next five years.
This is about much more than tolls or taxes, however.
The spike in oil prices at the end of last year obscured a significant change in trade flows. Imports from Asia were relatively flat. Exports are surging.
"Rising exports are helping the economy weather the current housing downturn," said David Huether, chief economist with the National Association of Manufacturers. "In fact, exports have accounted for 40 percent of economic growth over the past year, adding more to the GDP than the housing slump has taken away."
Texas leads all states in exports.
This month's report by the bipartisan National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission, the one recommending that big hike in gas taxes, warns that bottlenecks are costing the economy $200 billion a year.
"America's economic leadership in the world will be jeopardized when we cannot reliably and efficiently move our goods," the commission concluded.
Fear of trade is one obstacle to improving surface transportation. Some opponents of the proposed Trans-Texas Corridor and other efforts to ease truck congestion on Interstate 35 see imports flooding over new roadways as a threat to battered Midwestern industries.
(Excerpt) Read more at dallasnews.com ...
Robinson officials eagerly eyeing Trans-Texas Corridor route
Krusee's Texas House seat in Williamson draws 4 GOP candidates
Trans-Texas Corridor PING!
The way I see it, if they honestly feel that this is necessary, then float the bonds to build it with US labor.
Americans who will pay taxes, and buy things-again-paying taxes, and therefore help retire the bonds. Then use gas, fuel and road use taxes like they are supposed to be used.
a nice recession will take care of this problem
Trade tied up in transit bottlenecksSo all the trade highways are one way? IN only, no way out without higher taxes.
Have the Commies fund the highways...They have all the money thanks to the smart ass globalists.
I don't believe you are thinking this all the way through.The fact anyone might take it serious is very telling, if not scary.
BTTT
“Have the Commies fund the highways”
Who do you think is building the new ports and highways in Mexico?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.