Photo courtesy of Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce.
Jim Page, chairman of Alliance for Alabama’s Infrastructure, will speak at the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce Luncheon Feb 21.
Funding Alabama’s roadways will be the focus of the Feb. 21 Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce Luncheon, which will feature Jim Page, chairman of Alliance for Alabama’s Infrastructure.
Page, who is also in his eighth year as president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama in Tuscaloosa, has been traveling the state to speak to other chambers about the need for a focus on funding infrastructure, an issue expected to be at the forefront of this year’s legislative session when it convenes March 5.
“Transportation and infrastructure are critical to economic development, which is important to chambers of commerce across the state, but it’s also a safety and quality of life issue,” Page said.
It has been 27 years since Alabama last increased the gasoline tax from 11 cents to 16 cents in 1992, making it a “generational issue,” according to Page. While legislators have raised the subject of a gas tax increase, Page says his presentation to the chamber, which will include a Q&A time, will address the overall problem and need for a solution.
“We want to start with setting the table for the situation that Alabama is in, which the general public at large may not fully grasp at this point,” Page said. “People who are wanting to learn more about the issue itself and bring more education on the problem and the situation, this is a great opportunity to learn more. If they want to become engaged in this issue in advocating for or against, this is a great opportunity to have that community conversation.”
Page says while it is clear some form of gas tax increase is likely as a way to have out-of-state drivers pay their share of the roads, it still doesn’t account for vehicles that may use less fuel or no fuel at all, and that the past practice of diverting gas tax revenue to fill other holes in the budget must end. He says the Alliance’s goal is to raise awareness and encourage a long-term solution.
“All of this is going to come down to the political process and some give-and-take from those who are for this and against this, but what we advocate for is we can’t just do another Band-Aid fix,” Page said. “In the event that we don’t address this for another generation, we need to make sure that in another five to six years we’re not in the same boat. We are concerned about built-in growth going forward.”
Cost to attend the luncheon, sponsored by Bryant Bank, is $17. A processing fee is added if paid by credit or debit card. Registration is available online at trussvillechamber.com through noon on Tuesday, Feb. 19 or reservations can be made by emailing June Matthews at june.mathews@trussvillechamber.com.
The address for the Trussville Civic Center is 5381 Trussville-Clay Road.
To learn more about Alliance for Alabama’s Infrastructure, visit alabamaroads.org.
