Baker to Congress: Don’t be short-sighted about short lines

Written by Andrew Corselli
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When last we heard from American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) President Chuck Baker, he was testifying before the Senate Commerce Committee, Subcommittee on Transportation and Safety on the role Class II and III railroads play in supporting intermodal connections across the U.S. surface transportation network. He also urged support for the Short Line 45-G Tax Credit.

“I know that tax legislation is not the purview of this Committee, but as the Committee that is the most knowledgeable when it comes to railroad infrastructure matters, I urge you to take our tax credit message to your Senate colleagues whenever and however the subject of transportation infrastructure is addressed in this Congress, and to address Tax Extenders expeditiously,” Baker said in late February.

Baker offered an update—and a new plea—on the status of the Short Line Tax Credit and Tax Extenders. As of April 1, HR 510 has 155 co-sponsors in the House and S 203 has 29 in the Senate.

“Today the BRACE Act, HR 510 in the 116th Congress that calls for permanence of the Short Line Tax Credit, has crossed a milestone mark with more than 150 co-sponsors in the House,” Baker said. “As Congress debates the merits of action on the so-called ‘Tax Extenders,’ which include the Short Line Tax Credit, we urge them to note the strong bi-partisan and growing support for the Short Line Tax Credit in this Congress. The Short Line Tax Credit is good public policy with proven success, enabling small-business railroads that provide the first and last mile to nearly 10,000 shippers to invest more of their revenues in improving and maintaining critical infrastructure.”

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