NAFA presents a one-on-one conversation in its September 2018 issue of FLEETSolutions magazine with Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.), Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.NAFA presents a one-on-one conversation in its September 2018 issue of FLEETSolutions magazine with Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.), Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
Graves is a proponent of Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT), a funding mechanism that charges drivers according to how many miles the vehicle has traveled, as opposed to current point-of-purchase fuel taxes. His proposal intends to provide financial stability for the Highway Trust Fund (HTF).
Various VMT pilot programs taking place across the country are gathering valuable data about the concept and learning what will work and what might not. “Oregon and Washington are leading the country in that," Graves said. "Those programs will play an integral part in the proposal we come up with.”
When asked how VMT might be more effective than the present gas tax model, Graves said, “We have a lot of vehicles on the road that are simply not paying into the use of those roads. We’re a gas/diesel-tax-based system. If you’re not using gas or diesel, you’re not paying into the use of that road.” Graves added, “(VMT is) a very equitable system.”
The Congressman believes fleets will benefit from the creation of long-term, sustainable, and predictable funding for the infrastructure and bipartisan support is in place to move legislation forward. Further, says Graves, “a solvent HTF would pay to repair crumbling roads and bridges which have a direct impact on fleet and vehicle functionality.”
NAFA is the only large fleet association with a presence in Washington DC and Ottawa, advocating for the regulatory solutions that benefit the fleet industry. For more information on how NAFA’s advocacy benefits its membership, visit https://www.nafa.org/Resource-Center/Safety-Advocacy/Legislative-Resources.aspx
Along with the conversation with Rep. Graves, FLEETSolutions' September/October issue also includes:
FLEETSolutions is developed to engage readership in the eight primary disciplines of fleet: Asset Management, Business Management, Financial Management, Fleet Information Management, Maintenance Management, Risk Management, Vehicle Fuel Management, and Professional Development. FLEETSolutions provides survey results on the most important topics in the fleet profession; the National Safety Council “Safety First” column, found in each issue; and profiles of the best and brightest in fleet management.
A subscription to FLEETSolutions is a benefit of NAFA membership.
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