/PRNewswire/ -- Where can we find the money to modernize and maintain our major highways? The federal government would have an additional $10 billion a year to spend on crucial highways if it stopped diverting federal gas tax money to projects with no national benefits, according to a new Reason Foundation study.
The federal gas tax was supposed to be used to build and maintain the Interstate Highway System. Today auto and truck drivers pay federal gas taxes that are diverted to ferryboats, trails and mass transit programs. Since these other programs aren't national, are unable to generate significant user revenues and require large subsidies, the Reason Foundation report says they should be funded by state and local governments. The 18.4 cents a gallon federal fuel tax should be refocused on rebuilding and modernizing vitally important Interstates.
"Sooner or later Congress is going to have to deal with the highway bill and the major shortfall in highway investment," said Robert Poole, principal author of the report and director of transportation policy at Reason Foundation. "It is time to rethink and refocus the federal transportation role more on core federal purposes and less on peripheral concerns. Congress could dramatically increase funding to reduce the large backlog of cost-effective highway projects by shifting non-highway programs either to states or to general revenues. This would restore the users-pay/users-benefit principle of the Highway Trust Fund by focusing on rebuilding and modernizing the Interstate system. This Interstate 2.0 approach would increase federal investment in the nation's most important arteries by nearly $10 billion a year without raising taxes."
The study explains how refocusing the Highway Trust Fund can restore the public's trust in infrastructure spending, which has been severely damaged by too many bridges to nowhere. Along with needed investment in an Interstate 2.0 system, the proposal would also reduce federal mandates and give states more control over their transportation spending. The Interstate 2.0 approach would give states incentives to reduce waste and administrative costs; prioritize projects that will produce the largest benefits; embrace public-private partnerships that shift financing and risk away from taxpayers and onto private investors; and utilize technology, tolling, and congestion pricing to produce a sustainable, user-pays 21st-century highway system.
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Showing posts with label infrastructure. Show all posts
Showing posts with label infrastructure. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Friday, June 4, 2010
Governor Perdue Signs Transportation Resource Plan
Governor Perdue today (June 2) joined Lt. Governor Casey Cagle and House Speaker David Ralston to sign legislation that will result in a comprehensive plan to provide additional resources to invest in Georgia’s transportation network.
“We have worked extremely hard to bring a level of accountability never seen before in our transportation planning process,” said Governor Perdue. “Now, voters in each area of the state will have a chance to approve a plan that meets the needs of their area of the state while also connecting to the state’s transportation network.”
Governor Perdue’s support for new transportation funding follows passage and successful implementation of Senate Bill 200, which transformed the state’s transportation governance system. Governor Perdue also today signed the statewide strategic transportation plan, which is now driving the decision-making process on how and when to make additional investments that deliver results.
“A year ago we passed Senate Bill 200, a meaningful transportation planning component for the entire state,” said House Speaker David Ralston. “The funding bill signed into law today completes the circle and positions our transportation policy well into the future. The bi-partisan, inclusive leadership by members of the General Assembly, Governor Perdue, Lt. Governor Cagle, and others throughout the state who helped craft this landmark legislation shows that our state remains serious about competing for jobs and improving the quality of life for our citizens.”
“Today is a testament to how important the issue of transportation is to our state and how committed we were to working together to agree on a solution that will bring results,” said Lt. Governor Cagle. “I want to thank Governor Perdue and Speaker Ralston for their commitment and dedication to stay at the table and accomplish this for Georgia. I especially want to thank Sen. Jeff Mullis for his leadership in the Senate and hard work on this issue. This bill allows us to tell people and businesses that are looking to move or relocate their company to Georgia that we have a plan to fix transportation and that we are serious about addressing these issues.”
The final version of House Bill 277 creates special tax districts for transportation that mirror the state’s 12 regional planning boundaries.
“These district lines are important because they recognize our state’s regional business centers, and the areas from which those centers draw consumers,” the Governor said. “This approach will mean dollars spent in a region remain in that region, and the projects will benefit the entire region.”
Voters in each region will have the ability to decide on new transportation improvements by voting on a one percent sales tax. The transportation districts will enable a collection of counties to make strategic decisions that will produce growth in their region. The state’s director of transportation planning will work closely with local communities to create a project list for each transportation district. The project list will knit together transportation improvements that connect our cities and regions, making the movement of people and goods faster and more cost-efficient.
The bill calls for a statewide vote to be held, with the voters in each transportation district considering their specific list. If the district votes yes, the additional sales tax collected in their district will be used to fund their list of projects. If the district votes no, the tax will not be levied.
Governor Perdue also thanked members of the General Assembly that have worked hard on transportation over the past two sessions.
“The question has not been whether to invest in transportation, but whether or not we could get a return on transportation investment that the people of Georgia could support,” the Governor said. “Thanks to the hard work of many, we now have a plan in place that meets that goal.”
“We are proud of the leadership shown by the Governor and the General Assembly this year,” said Dave Stockert, President & CEO of Post Properties and chair of the Metro Atlanta Chamber’s transportation policy committee. “The business community is ready to support the transportation referendum in every way possible as we move into the next phase of this process.”
“Investing in Georgia's transportation infrastructure is critical to our long term economic health,” added Phil Jacobs, chair of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s Transportation Committee. “We are pleased that this legislation will allow every region of our state to have a voice in what those investments will be and that it will provide a mechanism to improve upon our state’s many transportation assets.”
Earlier this year, the Governor announced that his FY 2011 budget recommendation included $300 million in bond projects for transportation. These projects are aligned with the statewide strategic plan and focus on projects of statewide significance. The General Assembly included $200 million in transportation bond projects in the final FY 2011 budget. This bond funding will allow Georgia to strategically target investment to fuel Georgia’s job growth and to position the state as a national leader in economic recovery.
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“We have worked extremely hard to bring a level of accountability never seen before in our transportation planning process,” said Governor Perdue. “Now, voters in each area of the state will have a chance to approve a plan that meets the needs of their area of the state while also connecting to the state’s transportation network.”
Governor Perdue’s support for new transportation funding follows passage and successful implementation of Senate Bill 200, which transformed the state’s transportation governance system. Governor Perdue also today signed the statewide strategic transportation plan, which is now driving the decision-making process on how and when to make additional investments that deliver results.
“A year ago we passed Senate Bill 200, a meaningful transportation planning component for the entire state,” said House Speaker David Ralston. “The funding bill signed into law today completes the circle and positions our transportation policy well into the future. The bi-partisan, inclusive leadership by members of the General Assembly, Governor Perdue, Lt. Governor Cagle, and others throughout the state who helped craft this landmark legislation shows that our state remains serious about competing for jobs and improving the quality of life for our citizens.”
“Today is a testament to how important the issue of transportation is to our state and how committed we were to working together to agree on a solution that will bring results,” said Lt. Governor Cagle. “I want to thank Governor Perdue and Speaker Ralston for their commitment and dedication to stay at the table and accomplish this for Georgia. I especially want to thank Sen. Jeff Mullis for his leadership in the Senate and hard work on this issue. This bill allows us to tell people and businesses that are looking to move or relocate their company to Georgia that we have a plan to fix transportation and that we are serious about addressing these issues.”
The final version of House Bill 277 creates special tax districts for transportation that mirror the state’s 12 regional planning boundaries.
“These district lines are important because they recognize our state’s regional business centers, and the areas from which those centers draw consumers,” the Governor said. “This approach will mean dollars spent in a region remain in that region, and the projects will benefit the entire region.”
Voters in each region will have the ability to decide on new transportation improvements by voting on a one percent sales tax. The transportation districts will enable a collection of counties to make strategic decisions that will produce growth in their region. The state’s director of transportation planning will work closely with local communities to create a project list for each transportation district. The project list will knit together transportation improvements that connect our cities and regions, making the movement of people and goods faster and more cost-efficient.
The bill calls for a statewide vote to be held, with the voters in each transportation district considering their specific list. If the district votes yes, the additional sales tax collected in their district will be used to fund their list of projects. If the district votes no, the tax will not be levied.
Governor Perdue also thanked members of the General Assembly that have worked hard on transportation over the past two sessions.
“The question has not been whether to invest in transportation, but whether or not we could get a return on transportation investment that the people of Georgia could support,” the Governor said. “Thanks to the hard work of many, we now have a plan in place that meets that goal.”
“We are proud of the leadership shown by the Governor and the General Assembly this year,” said Dave Stockert, President & CEO of Post Properties and chair of the Metro Atlanta Chamber’s transportation policy committee. “The business community is ready to support the transportation referendum in every way possible as we move into the next phase of this process.”
“Investing in Georgia's transportation infrastructure is critical to our long term economic health,” added Phil Jacobs, chair of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s Transportation Committee. “We are pleased that this legislation will allow every region of our state to have a voice in what those investments will be and that it will provide a mechanism to improve upon our state’s many transportation assets.”
Earlier this year, the Governor announced that his FY 2011 budget recommendation included $300 million in bond projects for transportation. These projects are aligned with the statewide strategic plan and focus on projects of statewide significance. The General Assembly included $200 million in transportation bond projects in the final FY 2011 budget. This bond funding will allow Georgia to strategically target investment to fuel Georgia’s job growth and to position the state as a national leader in economic recovery.
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Friday, February 27, 2009
DOT Adviser Applauds Rep. Blumenauer's Plan to Link Transportation Finance, Investment and Climate Change Initiatives
/PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Environmental Defense Fund applauds U.S. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) for launching a debate today about how new transportation finance measures can work together with climate change initiatives to shape sustainable transportation reforms.
Congressman Blumenauer's 10-year "National Plan to Reinvest in America" envisions a transition from the current federal gas tax revenue system of transportation financing to road-use fees (based on vehicle miles traveled), revenue generated from selling carbon credits, and other new funding sources. Collectively, these revenue sources could raise much of the $100 billion a year that may be needed to fix and improve transportation infrastructure over the next decade, more than double the current funding level provided by federal gas tax revenues, which continue to decline as people drive less and use more fuel efficient vehicles.
The Blumenauer plan explores a 10-year strategy for transportation infrastructure funding, which reflects the growing consensus that the United States needs to implement a new transportation revenue system or face serious budget shortfalls. Recent studies have shown that under-investment in transportation and dependence on the federal gas tax to be key causes of poor transportation system performance that cost drivers $78 billion a year in congestion-related costs and contribute to rising greenhouse gas emissions.
"Congressman Blumenauer understands that the old way of funding our transportation infrastructure is a dead end in the new economy," said Michael Replogle, a civil engineer, transportation director for Environmental Defense Fund and an adviser to the U.S. Department of Transportation on intelligent transportation systems. "This plan shows that Congressman Blumenauer understands that any solution to climate change and the problems facing our economy depend on investing in and improving our transportation infrastructure."
"Key elements of this plan -- such as road-use fees, a carbon cap, and carbon auctions generating revenues that can be dedicated in part to transportation -- can help finance a shift to cleaner infrastructure and expanded travel choices for Americans who are stuck in traffic without any alternatives to driving," added Replogle. "It is crucial that new revenue measures send appropriate incentives to travelers and system managers to make wise stewardship and consumer choices."
"However, a key factor determining whether transportation contributes to cutting greenhouse gases will be how revenue is spent, not just how it's raised," Replogle concluded. "We look forward to working with Congressman Blumenauer and other congressional leaders to make sure we are raising and spending revenue on transportation in ways that maximize opportunities to cut both congestion and greenhouse gas emissions."
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Congressman Blumenauer's 10-year "National Plan to Reinvest in America" envisions a transition from the current federal gas tax revenue system of transportation financing to road-use fees (based on vehicle miles traveled), revenue generated from selling carbon credits, and other new funding sources. Collectively, these revenue sources could raise much of the $100 billion a year that may be needed to fix and improve transportation infrastructure over the next decade, more than double the current funding level provided by federal gas tax revenues, which continue to decline as people drive less and use more fuel efficient vehicles.
The Blumenauer plan explores a 10-year strategy for transportation infrastructure funding, which reflects the growing consensus that the United States needs to implement a new transportation revenue system or face serious budget shortfalls. Recent studies have shown that under-investment in transportation and dependence on the federal gas tax to be key causes of poor transportation system performance that cost drivers $78 billion a year in congestion-related costs and contribute to rising greenhouse gas emissions.
"Congressman Blumenauer understands that the old way of funding our transportation infrastructure is a dead end in the new economy," said Michael Replogle, a civil engineer, transportation director for Environmental Defense Fund and an adviser to the U.S. Department of Transportation on intelligent transportation systems. "This plan shows that Congressman Blumenauer understands that any solution to climate change and the problems facing our economy depend on investing in and improving our transportation infrastructure."
"Key elements of this plan -- such as road-use fees, a carbon cap, and carbon auctions generating revenues that can be dedicated in part to transportation -- can help finance a shift to cleaner infrastructure and expanded travel choices for Americans who are stuck in traffic without any alternatives to driving," added Replogle. "It is crucial that new revenue measures send appropriate incentives to travelers and system managers to make wise stewardship and consumer choices."
"However, a key factor determining whether transportation contributes to cutting greenhouse gases will be how revenue is spent, not just how it's raised," Replogle concluded. "We look forward to working with Congressman Blumenauer and other congressional leaders to make sure we are raising and spending revenue on transportation in ways that maximize opportunities to cut both congestion and greenhouse gas emissions."
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