Manufacturers Want Early Transport Bill

(Journal of Commerce Online – John D. Boyd)

Factory sector lobbying giant ties high-wage jobs to health of freight sector

Getting a new multi-year, federal transportation spending program approved by Congress quickly is a key to the health of the factory sector, says the head of the National Association of Manufacturers. “Transportation is more than just mobility for people and goods – it’s also about high wage manufacturing jobs,” said NAM President John Engler, as he urged lawmakers to speedily pass new legislation to replace the program that expires September 30.

He issued the remarks following approval June 24 by a House subcommittee of the Surface Transportation Authorization Act of 2009.

Engler said those factory jobs depend on a healthy freight shipment system to bring in raw materials and distribute goods or equipment through the supply chain. “Transportation is the circulatory system of the nation’s economy,” Engler said. “We must keep it in excellent health.” Read more here.