Chamber execs call for long-term federal transportation bill

Executives from over 260 regional chambers of commerce nationwide sent a unified message to Congress on Tuesday. Their open letter urges lawmakers to pass a long-term bill to save the Highway Trust Fund and improve it with smart reforms.

The move adds a strong business voice to the growing call for a robust transportation program designed to help build local economies.

“Transportation infrastructure investments in our cities and towns are key to America’s long-term economic competitiveness,” the letter said. “That’s why leaders of local and regional chambers of commerce and economic development organizations from across the country urge you to resolve the impending insolvency of the federal Highway Trust Fund and pass a long-term federal transportation authorization bill this year that restores confidence and stability for investments within our regions.”

The call for action goes on to outline four policies as keys to maintaining a competitive edge, including ensuring that federal dollars can support all modes of transportation, developing a more strategic approach to moving freight that addresses urban-area bottlenecks, expanding low-cost loans, and driving innovation by empowering local communities and metropolitan regions with more authority over federal funding and decision making.