(Grain Valley, Mo., Feb. 13, 2013) – The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, OOIDA, expressed thanks to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for recognizing the critical role transportation plays in the economy in its first hearing of the 113^th Congress held today.

The hearing, entitled “The Federal Role in America’s Infrastructure,” says a main item for Congress includes preparing for the next surface transportation reauthorization, something the Association wholeheartedly supports.

The Association looks forward to working with Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) in providing expertise on transportation issues and moving forward with a viable plan.

“Truckers know firsthand the importance of investments in roads and bridges to improve and continuously revitalize our national lifelines of commerce,” said Todd Spencer, Executive Vice-President of OOIDA. 

“Most would echo President Obama’s comment of ‘fix it first’ and add ‘do it now and for the future.’ For that to become reality, we have to have reliable and fair funding mechanisms that preserve the tried-and-true user fee system that fuel taxes have always represented —while maintaining the trust that is at the heart of our transportation core.”

“Moving toward proposals that involve tolling more roads, especially interstates, would have a negative impact on that national network,” Spencer added.  “We need to do something to stabilize the highway trust fund as it faces a $100 billion shortfall over the next 10 years and that needs to be a major priority for Congress and the White House over the next two years.”

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association is the largest national trade association representing the interests of small-business trucking professionals and professional truck drivers. The Association currently has more than 150,000 members nationwide and has successfully represented their interests in regulatory, legislative and court-related issues. OOIDA was established in 1973 and is headquartered in the Greater Kansas City, Mo., area.