As we explained last week, the National Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing Commission was set to release their final report on Thursday. The 15-member Commission explains:
On Thursday, February 26, 2009, the National Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing Commission released its Final Report. A copy of the full report can be downloaded by clicking here. The Press Release can be downloaded by clicking here, and the Executive Summary, which summarizes the report’s conclusions and recommendations, can be downloaded by clicking here. Printed bound copies of the Final Report can be ordered by e-mailing financecommissionreport@dot.gov.
The Financing Commission offers a roadmap for sweeping reform of the nation's transportation infrastructure funding and finance framework. The Commission offers specific recommendations for increasing investment in transportation infrastructure while at the same time moving the Federal Government away from reliance on motor fuel taxes toward more direct fees charged to transportation infrastructure users. The Financing Commission's recommendations are timely and provocative, as the nation grapples with staggering shortfalls in infrastructure funding and the new administration turns its attention to building what President Obama calls "the roads and bridges…necessary to make this country great again."
We noted in the article what the press couldn't or wouldn't, that Ray LaHood had been seen publicly with two members of the Commission in the previous two weeks. We pointed out that LaHood's 'crazy' idea might not be so crazy and might, in fact, be what the Commission would be proposing.
And?
It is what the Commission is proposing. They state, "Charging vehicle drivers a mileage fee embodies the 'user pays' principle and more accurately aligns the costs and benefits of the surface transportation system to those who are using it. More transparent charges for using infrastructure may also spur drivers to use the system more efficiently, reducing the overall investment need."
Would that help the environment?
We don't know. Few have even bothered to cover the Commission's recommendations let alone to evaluate it. (The Washington Post came out in favor of a gas tax based on per-mile-use Monday. Today it shares readers' opinions.)
What is clear is that Ray LaHood wasn't wandering around the dugout for 9 innings. We don't know whether he's qualified for his post or not. We do know he was attempting to do his job by consulting with the Commission. We do know he knew more than Robert Gibbs about what was about to be run around the plates.
Maybe the White House owes LaHood an apology?
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Jim note: Last week's article resulted in a lot of e-mails of praise. I'll go into it this week in my note to the readers, but the thing most of you were praising can be credited to Jess and C.I.