I am a proud member of Operating Engineers Local 965 and I support this and hope you will too.

On September 30th of this year, the six-year highway and transit law that governs federal spending, SAFETEA-LU, will expire. Congress is now beginning the process to reauthorize it for the next six years. The IUOE is advocating for a dramatic increase in federal transportation infrastructure investment beyond the current six-year authorization. The present law spent $286 billion on our highways, bridges and transit systems. The IUOE supports House Transportation Committee Chairman Jim Oberstar?s call for a bill in the $500 billion range that will more adequately address this country?s infrastructure needs. Federal highway spending, with Davis-Bacon prevailing wages, supports thousands of Operating Engineers? jobs across the United States. It is critical that our future transportation projects are funded at levels that will meet the need of the nation?s crumbling roads, bridges, rail, and transit systems, at the same time delivering millions of hours of work to Operating Engineers over the six-year life of the legislation. Fuel taxes are historically the most reliable way to raise significant revenue for the transportation program. Two different commissions created under SAFETEA-LU called for significant increases in the federal gas tax, with future increases indexed to inflation to ensure that the program does not lose purchasing power. Presently, the federal gas tax stands at 18.4 cents and has not been increased since 1993. The International Union of Operating Engineers supports an increase in fuel taxes, which will provide the fairest and most effective way to fund transportation projects. As a member of the IUOE, you have a chance to voice your support for legislation that improves the nation?s infrastructure, increases the nation?s competiveness and moves people and goods faster, safer, and better. You will also be increasing the prospect for significant employment opportunities for IUOE heavy equipment operators, as well as stationary engineers who maintain many of the commercial buildings which result from infrastructure improvements. Please contact your Congressman and Senators and ask them to support an increase in the federal gas tax!

I am a proud member of the 'RIGHT TO WORK' and do not support more government taxes.  This bill is nothing short of a payoff to big labor!  No one can name one instance there the government has done anything right.  Contact your Congressman to vote no.

no,no,no all the taxes in the world want save us, they'll just be misappropriated , taxes isnt the answer.

Rob W, I love you man but i have to vote no on all new taxes and yes to all things that cut taxes. I am not for or against unions but i am against all new taxes. I no longer trust anyone in government.

Interesting List of Taxes that exist today

TAXES:
Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
Capital Gains Tax
CDL license Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Court Fines (indirect taxes)
Dog License Tax
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel permit tax
Gasoline Tax (42 cents per gallon)
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax Interest expense (tax on the money)
Inventory tax IRS Interest Charges (tax on top of tax)
IRS Penalties (tax on top of tax)
Liquor Tax
Local Income Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Septic Permit Tax
Service Charge Taxes
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Taxes (Truckers)
Sales Taxes
Recreational Vehicle Tax
Road Toll Booth Taxes
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax (SUTA)
Telephone federal excise tax
Telephone federal universal service fee tax
Telephone federal, state and
local surcharge taxes
Telephone minimum usage surcharge tax
Telephone recurring and non-recurring charges tax
Telephone state and local tax
Telephone usage charge tax
Toll Bridge Taxes
Toll Tunnel Taxes
Traffic Fines (indirect taxation)
Trailer Registration Tax
Utility Taxes
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax

Workers Compensation Tax

COMMENTS:
"Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago and our nation was the most prosperous in the world, had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world and only one parent had to work to support the family."

What happened?
 

I don't like additional taxes anymore than the next guy, but we all travel these roads and bridges and so do our families. To just say I don't want anymore taxes, without looking at it as something that's necessary to our safety is nonsense. There has not been an increase since 1993, it has nothing to do with big labor which I am not even sure what that is, it has alot to do with jobs and safety, I don't want to see another bridge collapse like the one in Minneapolis, but without additional funding the chances of this happening will increase.

and with new taxes the chances are still there , until they figure out how to use the billions they tax us for already I say no , I am also not a pro-pponent or opponent of unions but cannot see the reasoning in giving more money to a government that misappropriates so many funds , chances are the highways and bridges will never see these funds ,Sorry, but no thanks I already pay enough.

And most of my family is either union or retired union , I couldnt handle the working every now and then so I am not a member , but I cannot support any new taxes , figure out where all the other is going and you'll find money for roads and bridges.

What about all the stimulas money that was to go for rebuilding roads and bridges and infurstructure for now that will take care of your work picture unless the States find other hidden pockets, taxes will be going up since Democrats are in power no body in there right mine will vote to raise fuel tax, until we start drilling in the USA.

 I cant support higher fuel taxes because either way they are coming to us if the Waxman/ Markey bill is passed by both houses on Cap&Trade. I see no reason to give the congress more money to misappropriate for everything but roads. During Clinton the Feds held back Fuel Tax dollars for two reasons, 1) It had to be spent on road infrastructure only 2) They wanted to make the deficit numbers look better than they actually were. Then a year or so later they decided to make the Fuel Taxes go into the general fund and, spent most of it on non-road related projects, like Welcome Centers.

 Right now all the stimulus has been doing is straight patch jobs and, not what needs to be done, which is total rebuilding of a majority of bridges in the country. That was one of the problems with the bridge in Minn that collapsed, the Feds wouldnt cut the check from the fund for a needed rebuild and, would only allow patch jobs. So why would we want to hand them even more money to no spend where it is needed?

A novel approach,educate the idiots in Washington.I'm for telling the Governemt,to kiss off and learn not only how to spend money but wisely.And when they learn the true principle >>>>>>

"I can't be broke,I still have checks left" they might just get it.I was a good thought but not on my watch.Vote no to new taxes and yes for them working for nothing!!!!

How about a "I work for the government so I probably make too much money anyway" tax?

Everyone else is out of work or going without bonuses, how about we cut the fat in office?

This should be the new bumper sticker

"WITHOUT A DOUBT - VOTE THEM OUT"

An even more interesting question is if our roads and bridges are funded only from gas tax how will we fund them in the future with more fuel efficnent cars being sold and possible a lot of electric cars that don't buy gas?

It amazes me how anyone can be for increasing taxes when we see how our tax money is spent.

What kind of brain washing must go on to make people want to pay more taxes?

The union is not concerned with how good the roads are they are only concerned with collecting more dues.

Knowing the government what would happen if we all felt this way? If we do not resist taxes the sky would be the limit.

NO MORE TAX. I ALREADY PAY $36.00 A DAY ON TOLLS TO GO TO WORK.

NO TAX

Yea, I want to pay more gas tax? Talk to your BA you need some help!

rob w you are way off!!!!! we are taxed to death as it is and you want to tax us more wake up!!!!!!!!!! alot of people on this site fight every day to put food on the table for their familys and you want to tax em how about we stop paying all of these big pay off's to the banks first stop doing that and maybe us tax payers wont have to go to bed every night sick!!!!!!!!!!!

Well this didn't exactly draw alot of support, I do understand though, thanks to those of you who took the time to voice your reasoning for your opposition to this. The reason I support it is for the jobs it would generate if spent the way it is supposed to be, looks like this will have a tough time making it's way through congress.

Ron W - Have you ever been to Texas - look at their roads and bridges and compare the cost to build them against the cost in a state like Missouri.  In Missouri all work is "Prevailing Wage"  This is determined by the wages turned in on these projects.  However you have to turn in the wages you are forced to pay not what you would have paid.  Then the state in its wisdom figures in yearly automatic increases.  Right now in many counties the prevailing wage is even higher then Union Contracts.  This is not prevaling wage.  If it was not the government doing this there would be a Federal Investigation under the RICCO Act for conspiracy to commit crime.  A perfect example of Government run AMOK!  Follow the money - who benefits - Elected Officials who get money from Labor Organizations to continue this fraud.  Read and research everything for yourself - do not let some BA tell you what to think and do.  Remember contrary to what some are trying to do - It is still America!

SUPPORT THE FAIR TAX!

I am sure that you reached a few who are all for the tax. Most people who disagree dont do anything about it so it just might pass.

Todd,you forgot one.

Death tax

Now that will have a lasting affect,or a congressional tax.A must read for those foolish enough to believe

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Tea_Party

"I am sure that you reached a few who are all for the tax. Most people who disagree dont do anything about it so it just might pass. "

ouch.

well played, sir...unfortunately.:(

I am in favor of a large increase in 1 tax,traffic fines ,as mentioned a form of taxation.The more money you make,the higher your fine is.For example,a pump operator makes 20 bucks an hour and gets a ticket for 250 dollars,that will sting.Why not fine or "tax" someone who makes 500,000 a year,2500 dollars for the same offense?,they do it in Germany.

Todd thanks again for this site, glad to hear you are close to beach and not the wildfires out there.

 Well I have already made views known to my Congressmen on this tax and, all the other fine taxes they have planned. Much as I have for years, I asked them first to think outside the DC box and, actually their rampnat spending which does nothing but drain what little economy we have left. Im one of those Tea Baggers and, have been before there was a Tea Bag movement.

 I was on them when that yutz from Minn suggested raising the fuel taxes by .15¢ after the bridge collapse. I suggest they actually use the fuel tax for what it was collected for and, not on unrelated items. Congress has never met a tax they didnt like and, that they didnt like to misspend. If anything urge your congressmen to cut back spending, instead of spending like drunken sailors at a Phillipine strip club. Tell them to cut back their salaries as well since the rest of us are having to deal with personal short falls and, that they need to spend less on staff and, their perks. After all they are our employees and, not the other way around as they seem to believe. What we need is the people to do their duty and, put the congress in place.

Mick C, B.A. doesn't tell me what to think or do...Yes I have been to Texas it's a great state, I just can't help but believe you don't like seeing an operator or any other craft being paid a fair wage. I do research and read and choose which legislation to support, I am proud to be an Operating Engineer and this rhetoric you put out against Unions is your opinion and you are entitled to it the same as I am mine. Organized labor is the one thing still fighting for the rights and fair wages for the working men and women.

AMERICA WORKS BEST WHEN WE SAY UNION YES

You actually said to tax people more money because they make more money?  When did it become a penalty to be successful in this country?  I dont understand the logic or thinking of some people,  in Germany they also have socialized medicine.  Where as the more successful people pay the health insurance of people who have decided to sit on thier lazy asses and sponge off the system.  Dont penalize success, it is what makes our country the greatest on earth.

I am glad someone answered.As mentioned earlier in this thread"a traffic ticket is another form of a tax". A traffic ticket is issued when a person does not obey certain laws that are set forth to protect other drivers and themselves while on the road,and when these rules are broken a certain punishment or fine is given to the guilty party.In other words the fine is suppose to "sting" a little bit thus preventing people from running crazy on the road.How much does a 250 dollar fine sting a pro football player who makes 15 million a year,why not hit their wallet a little harder and make them think about breaking traffic laws.As far as the other taxes listed I believe everyone should pay a fair percentage of their income.

Now that I think about it,screw all the taxes.Lets see more wagon trains,pony express,stagcoaches and farms.Build a huge wall to our south,give the military there needs to protect us and shazzam.

Problem solved

Many, thats why you are my internet best good friend.

"blush"