Transportation
![Public transportation train rail Public transportation train rail](https://webharvest.gov/congress113th/20141206113531im_/http://cole.house.gov/sites/cole.house.gov/files/styles/section_front_boilerplate/public/transportation.jpg?itok=kPH65a8r)
I believe that it is important to find long-term solutions to our nation's infrastructure problems.
Funding for highways, bridges and other road infrastructure projects are partially funded through user fees paid into the Federal Highway Trust Fund. Cumulatively, since 1956, Oklahoma has received 98% of the fees paid into the fund back in allocations from the fund. In recent years, however, Oklahoma has received nearly 130% of the fees paid into the Highway Trust Fund.
Unfortunately, the Highway Trust Fund is now close to being depleted because tax collections have declined over time. The decrease is largely due to change in inflation, reductions in vehicle miles traveled and increased fuel economy standards. In fact, the federal fuel excise tax has not increased since 1993.
I believe that it is important to find a long-term solution to our infrastructure problem. I have introduced legislation with Congressman John Delaney (MD-06) that would create a private infrastructure bank to ensure vital investments in our roads. Clearly the funding sources for the Highway Trust Fund are not adequate, but finding possible ways to continue to fund these important investments has been challenging and elusive.
Despite the challenges, I am committed to working to develop transportation and infrastructure solutions that benefit all Oklahomans.