The Alliance for Alabama’s Infrastructure drew about 100 supporters to the State House today who fanned out to urge their legislators to support investment in Alabama’s aging highway and bridge infrastructure.
Alliance members met with House and Senate members urging support for two pieces of legislation that are vital to Alabama’s economic future.
HB 394 by Rep. Mac McCutcheon, R-Huntsville, would make Alabama’s gasoline and diesel tax competitive with our border states beginning Oct. 1, 2016. Rep. McCutcheon said rural and urban areas will share in the revenue. His bill is on the House calendar.
Revenue would be deposited into the Alabama Transportation Safety Fund that would be created by SB 180 sponsored by Sen. Gerald Dial, R-Lineville. Sen. Dial’s bill passed the Senate and is on the House calendar.
Voting for HB 394 and SB 180 is a vote in favor of public safety by repairing dangerous roads, economic prosperity by sparking growth, and improving our quality of life.
“Infrastructure investment is the key to economic growth,” Sen. Dial said. “We see this as an opportunity to move Alabama forward.”
The last time the Legislature increased the investment in Alabama’s highways and bridges was in 1992.
The Alliance for Alabama’s Infrastructure was created in January by members of the Alabama business community, chambers of commerce, industry associations, community groups, and concerned citizens who desire to promote financially responsible investment in Alabama’s roads and infrastructure.
Founding members include the Business Council of Alabama, the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama, the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, the Greater Shelby Chamber of Commerce, the Birmingham Business Alliance, the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, the Alabama Trucking Association, the Alabama Road Builders Association, the Economic Development Association of Alabama, the Association of County Commissions of Alabama, the American Council of Engineering Companies of Alabama, the Coalition for Regional Transportation, the Associated General Contractors, the Alabama Asphalt Pavement Association, and the Alabama Concrete Industries Association.
Jim Page, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, is the AAI’s spokesperson.
“It’s a responsible policy,” Page said. “It’s built on accountability.”