Should Indian drivers be denied a $2,500 car to offset CO2 generation of wealthier nations?
Read the article from the Competitive Enterprise Institute by clicking here
10-year plan cuts out $2 billion in projects to provide communities realistic timeframe for funding and construction in order to layout how projects would be built and funded.
Read the Associated Press article by clicking here
By: Mannix Porterfield
CHARLESTON - No one came up with any cash cows that might be roaming about, but Transportation Secretary Paul Mattox did get some support Monday after inviting lawmakers to find money for West Virginia’s roads.
“We must look at some innovative sources of financing,” Mattox told a joint meeting of the Committees on Government Operations and Government Organization.
Not only is money short to build and maintain roads, but the secretary said the DOT is struggling to keep its workforce and needs an updated computer system.
While no one offered any suggestions, Delegate Randy Schwartzmiller, D-Hancock, agreed the money problem is critical.
“If we can come up with some alternative funding sources, I certainly would support it,” he told Mattox.
“If we don’t get on top of the roads sooner than later, we’re really going to have some problems.”
Divide over funding for trains, buses means line now unlikely to start in 2010
By LARRY SANDLER
Plans for a Milwaukee-area commuter rail line have been put on hold, amid continuing disagreement over how to fund the trains and the region’s public buses.
The deadlock has highlighted a split between the area’s business leaders and their usual Republican allies. Major business groups have been pushing for public transit improvements to ensure workers can reach jobs, but GOP legislators and county executives have balked at adding or raising taxes.
Newest Eyman initiative aims to soothe WA traffic jams
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — Initiative activist Tim Eyman’s newest target could bring hallelujahs from frustrated commuters: a special state bank account dedicated to smoothing out traffic jams.
Eyman unveiled his 2008 ballot measure on Wednesday, calling it a follow-up to 2005’s government performance audits and a wake-up call for cautious politicians.
“This is a big, big problem,” Eyman said. “And I think there is a tendency in Olympia to say, ‘Well, it’s an election year, it’s too tough, it’s controversial, and we’re just going to wait a year.’”
If qualified for the ballot and approved by voters this fall, the initiative would divert 10 percent of vehicle sales taxes to a new “Reduce Traffic Congestion Account.” Eyman said that would amount to about $85 million per year.
Blagojevich rhetoric changes on sales tax for mass transit veto threat
For the better part of a year, Gov. Rod Blagojevich consistently has vowed to veto a proposed sales tax increase to fund mass transit in Chicago and the suburbs.
Today, the governor didn’t repeat that veto threat when given the opportunity at a news conference aimed at heading off the CTA, Metra and Pace service cuts and fare hikes that loom Jan. 20.
Asked if he would sign legislation that increased the sales tax, Blagojevich hinted he might be able “to improve” a bill so that enough constituencies are satisfied. If it’s a bill that includes an increase in sales taxes to fund transit, then so be it, the governor said - just send it his way.
“If, however, the legislature believes in that (sales tax) bill, they ought to pass that bill and give me a chance to improve it,” Blagojevich told reporters in Chicago.
America Moving Forward (AMF) is the name of a group announced today to push the cause of private sector investment in roads - concessions, PPPs, longterm leases, DBFO, whatever moniker is to your taste. Executive director is Peter J Loughlin, 39, an attorney and lobbyist who has worked on the House transportation committee as director of government affairs at the Associated General Contractors and in a senior position at Koch Performance Roads.
The four steering committee members for AMF are representatives of Cintra, Goldman Sachs, Macquarie, and Transurban. Members include a variety of engineering, law, construction and toll associated companies. A spokesman says it is an advocacy group and won’t engage in lobbying.
Transportation’s deep pockets no match for state gas tax
By: Rebecca Boyle
Two terrible T’s are likely to be the main focus of state lawmakers’ work this session: Taxes and transportation.
Colorado needs an infusion of $1.5 billion a year to fix crumbling roads and highways. Ultimately, voters might be asked to tax themselves to raise the money, which a statewide panel said in November was crucial for safety and efficiency.
Gov. Bill Ritter’s Transportation Finance and Implementation Panel held meetings throughout the state and learned the state is in dire need of new funding streams.
A tax ($16) to enter London central zone has failed, as traffic congestion has actually worsened. Read the whole article using this link.
…aka “The Boat,” isn’t proving much more successful than the notorious Superferry. One of the commuter ferries meant to carry passengers to and fro Barber’s Point and Downtown broke down this week. Grassroot’s own Cliff Slater recently wrote about The Boat on Hawaii Reporter, and isn’t too optimistic about its future:
Read more here.