SILVER SPRING, MD - Amidst calls for lower gasoline and diesel fuel prices, proposals have been offered by the presidential campaigns of Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Hillary Clinton (D-NY) that would impose a "Gas Tax Holiday." The proposals, which would temporarily suspend the federal excise tax on gasoline and diesel fuel, are marked as a method to provide economic relief to cash-strapped Americans and American businesses, and as a short-term stimulant to the U.S economy. The Congressional Budget Office has estimated, however, that suspending the federal gas tax for a period of about three months would only save American families on average about $30.

"Ten dollars a month won't provide true economic relief to American families and would do virtually nothing to stimulate the economy," said National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) President Robert Garbini. "The only thing a gas tax holiday would do is put an already near bankrupt Highway Trust Fund (HTF) in further jeopardy, set a bad precedent and potentially cause troubles for transportation infrastructure in the future."

Garbini's views are bolstered by a recent report released by the Urban Land Institute, "Infrastructure 2008: A Competitive Advantage." The report outlines the poor infrastructure conditions in the United States and the lack of funding to repair it. It calculates an annual $170 billion shortfall in infrastructure spending, which is due in part to the fact that since 1980 the vehicle miles traveled on the nation's roads has increased by 95% but road capacity has only increased by 3%. To remedy deteriorating transportation systems the report suggests putting more emphasis on public/private partnerships, tolling and increasing the Federal motor fuels tax.

"Our nation has significantly underinvested in our surface transportation network and the federal motor fuels tax remains the most efficient mileage-based user fee currently available," Garbini added. "A proportionate increase in the federal motor fuels tax that is dedicated to the HTF must be a part of next year's reauthorization of the Federal highway and transit programs."

Please join NRMCA in supporting investment in our nation's infrastructure and opposing any federal gasoline and/or diesel fuel suspension proposals. The Association, based in Silver Spring, MD, represents the producers of ready mixed concrete and the companies that provide materials, equipment and support to the industry. It conducts education, training, promotion, research, engineering, safety, environmental, technological, lobbying and regulatory programs.