Every day, more than 3.2 million professional truck drivers take to the road to meet our nation’s biggest and smallest freight needs. Day in and day out, they consistently deliver the goods we need today and rely on for tomorrow: food on our tables, medicine for our families and supplies for our nation’s military.

The ability to move goods and services through our transportation networks is indeed the lifeblood of our economy. Yet, leaders on Capitol Hill, at the Department of Transportation and in the White House have unfortunately left the trucking industry in a “state of confusion” — again — by failing to pass a long-term highway bill. On Tuesday the House, unable to reach a long-term deal before the May 31 deadline, approved a two-month extension of highway fund.

Congress’ inability to pass a long-term highway funding bill has already created challenges for many in the trucking industry, leading to delivery delays due to the unaddressed issue of congestion, higher fuel and labor costs, and more maintenance headaches from potholed roads.

Consider the impact and reach of the trucking industry. In 2013 alone, trucking generated an astounding $680 billion, representing 80 percent of the nation’s freight bill. Last year, professional truck drivers collectively traveled more than 420 billion miles for the American people, moving 70 percent of the nation’s tonnage. So, it’s no surprise that failure to pass a long-term highway funding bill is slowing the flow of goods to our economy and further deteriorating the nation’s aging infrastructure. Private investment cannot occur until both parties deconstruct their political walls and put the American people first.

Additionally, we know short-term bills are not an ideal solution. There have been 33 extensions and five revenue shortfalls in transportation funding in the past eight years. The cost of inaction is steep, with costs toppling $200 billion from delayed road construction projects, decreased productivity and stopgap measures.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce reports the costly details: Congested roads total an estimated $100 billion per year in wasted time and fuel. Further, motorists are taking a financial hit by spending an average of $324 a year in vehicle repairs and operating costs when driving on unrepaired roads.

And, the news remains bleak on the state level as prime construction season is underway. State transportation officials face the reality that Congress has not stepped up to support critical infrastructure projects. In the past few months, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials has seen a jump in the number and value of delayed highway projects as states cannot count on the federal funding share.

With hundreds of projects being canceled from coast to coast, we urge our leaders in Washington to fulfill their constitutional duty by putting an end to this delay. The livelihoods of thousands of America’s families lie in the balance.

Our country deserves a strong, efficient and modernized transportation system to uphold the nation’s commerce and infrastructure system as well as to remain globally competitive.

To move America forward, the trucking industry needs sustainable, efficient and robust funding — not petty politics — to support our nation’s network of roads and bridges. Rather than putting up more roadblocks through inaction, Congress needs to pass a fully funded, long-term highway funding bill that can pave the way for the future of the trucking industry — and America.

Kevin Burch is co-chairman of Trucking Moves America Forward. He wrote this for CQ-Roll Call.

– See more at: http://heralddemocrat.com/opinion/national-commentary/kevin-burch-congress-should-pass-long-term-highway-funding-bill#sthash.t46jkcZf.dpuf

Trucking Moves America Forward announced today that the Motor Carriers of Montana has made a US$10,000 financial contribution to the movement over the next year.

“The contribution from the Motor Carriers of Montana will further amplify the TMAF message,” said Kevin Burch, TMAF co-chairman and president of Jet Express. “We are deeply appreciative to have their support as we continue to recruit members of the industry. Together, we can build momentum for TMAF now and in the future.”

“We are thrilled to join this effort and to tell the trucking industry’s story,” said Spook Stang, chairman, Region IV and executive vice president of Motor Carriers of Montana. “Collectively, our members deliver the goods and products Americans have come to rely on. There’s so much to learn about the diversity, safety and sustainability efforts of our industry, and Trucking Moves America Forward is the right platform to do that.”

TMAF, which officially launched in March 2014 at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky, is an industry-wide image and education movement informing policymakers and the general public about the benefits of the trucking industry to build a groundswell of political and grassroots support necessary to strengthen and grow.

“We appreciate Motor Carriers of Montana stepping forward to support the movement,” said Michael S. Card, president of Combined Transport and TMAF founding member. “They are showing the pride we all feel in our great industry and that our message is resonating.”

Last month, TMAF reached its goal of raising one million dollars to fund educational and outreach activities. TMAF has been bolstered by significant financial contributions from trucking companies, vendors, associations and more. To view a list of donors and members, visit truckingmovesamerica.com.

http://www.automotiveworld.com/news-releases/motor-carriers-montana-pledges-us10000-trucking-moves-america-forward/