As part of its overall mission to promote the welfare of the motoring and traveling public, the AAA Clubs of Tennessee (AAA East Tennessee and AAA Auto Club South) are pursuing three main goals in the Tennessee legislature:
Improving drunk driving and unlicensed driver laws
Preserving Tennessee's transportation funding
When you buy gasoline, you pay 21.4 cents in state gasoline tax and 18.4 cents in federal tax for every gallon you buy. State law requires most of the state's 21.4 cents go to the Department of Transportation (TDOT) to pay for transportation needs: roads, mass transit, etc.
Because state gas tax money is dedicated by law to transportation needs, Tennessee has been able to fund road repair, maintenance, and construction with cash. TDOT does not have to put the state into debt, adding expensive interest charges and administrative costs to already expensive processes. In addition, by having this money available Tennessee qualifies for matching amounts from the federal government, money collected as the federal gas tax.
At the same time, dedicating gas tax money to transportation does gives TDOT the appearance of a super-rich department that answers to no one. To many, that appearance grew stronger in recent years. New-governor Bredesen has taken steps to make TDOT more responsive to the public and more open about its workings.
The widespread perception of arrogance, coupled with the state's dire lack of money, has made Tennessee's gas tax a target for those who would like to see it spent for other purposes.
Tennessee has an excellent road system. While problems exist, of course, the state boasts interstate and other major highways that are the envy of many other states for smooth surfaces, safety features, etc. All of it, again, paid for in cash with no debt costs. TDOT is one of the parts of state government that actually works well fiscally and in many of its core duties.
The AAA Clubs of Tennessee (AAA East Tennessee and AAA Auto Club South) are urging Governor Bredesen and state senators and representatives not to tamper with the dedication of Tennessee's gas tax to transportation needs. Good roads support much of the other functions of good state government.
Kids can't be educated if they can't get to school safely. School books, lunch food, office supplies, desks, blackboards, and teachers all arrive at schools by road. Most other important state and local services arrive or are supported by roads. Ambulances, fire engines and police cars all need a good road system to get to and from emergencies in a hurry.
But because the state is in serious financial trouble, and because Governor Bredesen has called on ALL state departments to take a nine percent cut in their budgets (except those departments under court order to pay more), the AAA Clubs of Tennessee and other highway organizations have agreed to support the Department of Transportation transferring nine percent (about $65 million) of its budget back to the general fund as a one-time event.
This would still keep the gas tax dedication - allowing future transportation projects to be debt free - while making TDOT participate in the across-the-board budget cuts other departments face this year.
Improving our state child restraint laws
Young people - from just over 1-year-old to up in their 30s - die in traffic crashes more than any other cause. More than violence, drugs, or disease combined. That's why it's so important that we have strong child restraint laws.
Tennessee was the first state in the country to pass a child restraint law, putting it into effect in 1978. But like many firsts, Tennessee's law left a bit to be desired and later experience showed how it should be expanded. The state made changes in the 80s and 90s, and as recently as last year.
The more recent improvements make the age that children must be properly secured to 15-years-old. The best parts of those improvements put belt-positioning booster seats into the law, giving children who have outgrown child restraint seats, but who still don't fit safety belts, better protection.
The AAA Clubs of Tennessee will be working with others to improve the law by:
