Transportation Roundtable: Richard Hanna

Q: Do you support President Obama’s $478 billion Grow America transportation funding plan?

RH: I support a long-term, fully funded highway bill. I’m pleased that the administration also supports getting a long-term surface transportation bill passed. There is more than enough common ground to believe that we can get a highway bill done this year. That’s what I am working toward.

Q: Should the gas tax be raised to fund transportation infrastructure upgrades since gas is so cheap right now?

RH: Gas prices are relatively affordable now, but they will go back up eventually, and simply raising the gas tax is problematic because it’s a diminishing source of revenue—people are driving less and vehicles are becoming more efficient. It’s also regressive because it disproportionately impacts lower income and rural drivers, including many in upstate New York. I am the original co-sponsor of the Bipartisan Infrastructure 2.0 Act, which uses international business tax reform to fill the Highway Trust Fund for six years and creates a new infrastructure financing tool.

Q: The House of Representatives passed legislation to authorize $7.1 billion for passenger rail service through 2019. Why did you vote yes on the measure, which divided Republicans?

RH: Amtrak is important and popular in upstate New York, and passenger rail is a great way to move large numbers of people from city to city. This legislation is important and I supported it because it introduces more transparency into how Amtrak operates. I be-lieve that the reforms in the bill will make Amtrak more efficient and enable it to better perform its core functions for more people.