eNews • July 2015
Promoting a Cost-Effective, Reliable and Competitive Transportation System

STC testifies at House subcommittee hearing on rural transportation challenges

On June 24, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Highways and Transit held a hearing titled, “Meeting the Transportation Needs of Rural America.”

In his opening statement, Congressman Sam Graves (R-MO), Chairman of the Subcommittee, stated, “Rural roads are rarely in the spotlight. They generally don’t command our attention because they don’t suffer from the severe congestion we see in our cities and suburbs, and they are not often in the limelight for flashy ribbon-cuttings. Missouri farmers and ranchers depend on these roads to get their products to market domestically and internationally. Rural or local roads often provide the critical ‘last mile’ connection to rail facilities, our inland waterways, and our ports. And they provide the infrastructure for the only form of public transportation most rural communities have " local or intercity bus service.”

Mike Steenhoek, executive director of the Soy Transportation Coalition, served as one of five witnesses during the hearing. In addition to urging subcommittee members to provide additional resources for the nation’s system of roads and bridges, Steenhoek emphasized the need for the federal government to be a reliable partner in addressing our transportation challenges.

“When it comes to transportation, predictability of funding is almost as important as volume of funding,” explained Steenhoek. “It is the hope of many that Congress will not only provide increased funding, but also provide that funding in a multiyear format. I would rather the federal government be predictably good that sporadically great.”

Steenhoek’s written testimony, along with video of the entire hearing can be accessed at:

http://transportation.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=399165

The other hearing panelists included:

  • Paul Trombino III, Director, Iowa Department of Transportation; on behalf of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials
  • Bob Fox, Commissioner, Renville County, Minnesota; on behalf of the National Association of Counties
  • Steve Woelfel, President, Jefferson Lines; on behalf of the American Bus Association
  • Charles L. "Shorty" Whittington, President, Grammer Industries, Inc.; on behalf of The Fertilizer Institute

The Soy Transportation Coalition is comprised of thirteen state soybean boards, the American Soybean Association, and the United Soybean Board. The National Grain and Feed Association and the National Oilseed Processors Association serve as ex-officio members of the organization.

Soy Transportation Coalition
1255 SW Prairie Trail Pkwy., Ankeny, Iowa 50023
Phone: (515) 727-0665 Fax (515) 251-8657
Email msteenhoek@soytransportation.org
Web www.soytransportation.org

Funded by the Soybean Checkoff