Navigating port funding: Alternatives for reforming the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund
U.S. seaports are vital to global trade, serving as gateways for international commerce. Ensuring their efficient operation and maintenance is crucial for economic stability and growth. However, the challenge of how to fund this essential infrastructure has been a contentious issue, leading to various policy debates and reforms.
This policy brief delves into the history, current challenges, and potential reforms for the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF), offering insights into how sustainable and equitable funding solutions can be achieved.
The Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund was established to finance the maintenance and operation of U.S. ports. Over the years, the fund has undergone significant changes, evolving from the Port Infrastructure Development and Improvement Trust Fund in the 1980s to its current form. But the HMTF faces persistent challenges, particularly regarding its funding mechanism, the Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF)—a fee exacted on eligible shipments that feeds into the HMTF. The funds are used to pay for port improvements, required dredging, and other routine maintenance.
The HMF was initially levied on both imports and exports but was significantly altered by a Supreme Court ruling in 1998 that exempted exports from the fee. This exemption has led to inequities and strained international trade relations.
This brief explores three main policy solutions to reform the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund and ensure its sustainability: implementing a user fee, abolishing the Harbor Maintenance Fee in favor of general fund appropriations, and increasing diesel fuel tax rates.
These potential reforms are crucial because seaport efficiency directly affects the economy. By addressing the existing inequities and compliance challenges, the U.S. can move toward a more equitable and effective funding mechanism for seaports. The following sections of this brief analyze these topics, offering a comprehensive view of the past, present, and future of seaport funding policy, focusing on regulatory and legal aspects of different funding and financing approaches.
Full Policy Brief: Navigating port funding: Alternatives for reforming the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund
The post Navigating port funding: Alternatives for reforming the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund appeared first on Reason Foundation.
Source: https://reason.org/policy-brief/port-funding-reforming-harbor-maintenance-trust-fund/
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
LION'S MANE PRODUCT
Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules
Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.
Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.
| Visits: | 1,701,950,815 |
| Stories: | 8,433,485 |
Whistler Blowers, Insiders
