Common Sense on Spending- The National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform

“America cannot be great if we go broke.” That is the opening statement in the draft Co-Chairs’ proposal from the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, better known as the Deficit Reduction Commission. There is, in my opinion, no greater danger to our Country than the spiraling national debt. We must act soon to get our Nation’s financial house in order.
The non-partisan Commission is comprised of 18 individuals, including 12 members of Congress- 6 Democrats and 6 Republicans. They are due to issue their report on Dec. 1, 2010. In order to release a final report containing a set of recommendations to achieve its mission the Commission must have the approval of at least 14 of the 18 members. Let’s hope the Commission reaches a consensus and, more importantly, that Congress listens to and acts upon the recommendations.
One recommendation in the Co-Chairs’ draft is an increase of 15 cents in the federal gas tax to pay for transportation infrastructure while calling for an end to General Revenue spending for transportation. The General Revenue spending has been necessary the last two years to keep the Highway Trust Fund solvent while Congress refused to address the need for an increase in the gas tax. This makes great sense and shows once again that national leaders on both sides of the aisle recognize the need for a well-maintained and continually improving national transportation system. They also recognize the need to pay for it - a novel concept in Washington these days! The draft also calls for transportation spending to become mandatory spending rather than discretionary spending. This recommendation should bring cheers from the transportation construction community.
Congress, the media and the general public need to give this report a fair hearing. It should not be immediately declared “DOA”. Opposition was immediately heard from both the left and the right. Congress should move quickly to implement the recommendations from the Commission.
We continually hear that “tough choices” need to be made. I agree. For many of the newly elected members of Congress, along with re-elected current members, the “tough choices” must mean more than cutting taxes and opposing any increases, no matter how necessary, in fees or taxes (like the gas tax). It means being open to changes in Social Security and the tax code. It means being open to cuts in entitlement spending. It really means “tough choices”.