Should a Mileage Tax Eventually Replace the Gas Tax?
The National Journal posed this question. See what leading transportation experts around the country had to say at http://transportation.nationaljournal.com/2009/02/should-a-mileage-tax-eventuall.php
Renewing America’s Infrastructure
President Barack Obama addressed a crowd gathered at the Department of Transportation in Washington, D.C., to discuss infrastructure spending as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. A video of the event is available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/09/03/03/Renewing-Americas-Infrastructure/.
Transportation and Infrastructure Special Report
The Hill recently posted a special report on transportation and infrastructure. The report includes opinion pieces from transportation leaders in Congress. They focus on air, rail, transit as well as the overall vision and future of the transportation system. Included are statements from the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. To access the special report visit http://thehill.com/special-reports-transportation-and-infrastructure.html.
White House Recovery Act Implementation Conference
On March 12, President Obama and Vice President Biden will host a White House Recovery and Reinvestment Act Implementation Conference. Each state’s senior official working on the recovery act implementation is invited to attend. It is designed to be an opportunity to share best practices, ask questions and hear presentations from Cabinet Secretaries and Administrative officials. The Chairman of the Recovery Act Transparency and Accountability Board will be in attendance. Additional details about the conference are expected to be released next week.
White House Announces DOT Staff Nominations
Dana Gresham, nominee for Assistant Secretary of Governmental Affairs
Roy Kienitz, nominee for Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy
CLEAN TEA Introduced in the House
On March 5, Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Ellen Tauscher (D-CA) and Steven LaTourette (R-OH) introduced the Clean, Low-Emission, Affordable, New Transportation Efficiency Act (CLEAN TEA). The legislation is predicated on adoption of a climate change bill that includes the creation of a cap and trade program. Under CLEAN TEA, 10 percent of the revenue generated via the program would be used to lower green house gas emissions by funding new or expanded transit or passenger rail; supporting development around transit stops; and improving pedestrian and bicycle safety. A summary of the bill is available at http://www.ite.org/government/CLEAN-TEA.pdf.
Week of 2/29
National Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing Commission Releases its Findings
Created by Congress in SAFETEA-LU, the bipartisan National Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing Commission released its final report, Paying Our Way: A New Framework for Transportation Finance. The commission was tasked to analyze and provide recommendations for future highway and transit needs, finances of the Highway Trust Fund and make recommendations regarding alternative approaches to financing transportation infrastructure. The major recommendations in the study include:
- shifting, over a ten-year period, from the current motor fuel tax to a charge on vehicle miles traveled
- raising the gas tax by 10 cents and diesel tax by 15 cents as a stop gap measure and indexing them to inflation
- doubling of the Heavy Vehicle Use Tax
- allowing tolling for interstate travel to build new capacity and on existing roads in metropolitan areas with populations in excess of 1 million for congestion reduction
- increase flexibility and scope of The Transportation Infrastructure Financing and Innovation Act
An executive summary and text of the full report is available at http://financecommission.dot.gov/ .
White House Presents its FY10 Budget Blueprint
The budget blueprint submitted in February includes $72.5 billion for the Department of Transportation. The surface transportation priorities will include an emphasis on investments that will reduce congestion, improve safety with a focus on using economic analysis and performance measures in transportation planning. There will be an expanded commitment to high speed rail. The administration has also requested changes to the budgetary treatment of transportation programs to show both budget authority and outlays as discretionary. A more detailed budget will be distributed in April.
OMB DOT Summary: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/assets/fy2010_new_era/Department_of_Transportation1.pdf
DOT Budget Fact Sheet: http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/assets/fy2010_factsheets/fy10_transportation.pdf
Congressional press release and letter
White House Office of Urban Affairs
On Feb. 19, President Obama issued an executive order establishing a White House Office of Urban Affairs. The focus will be to “develop an effective strategy for urban America and to coordinate the actions of the many executive departments and agencies whose actions impact urban life.” In performing its functions the office is expected to work closely with the Department of Transportation.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Executive-Order-Establishment-of-the-White-House-Office-of-Urban-Affairs/
President Signs Economic Stimulus Package—Increased Funds for Transportation
President Obama signed HR. 1, The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, a $789 billion economic stimulus package, into law. It includes $48 billion for transportation infrastructure investment. The final transportation funding level is HIGHER than what was originally passed by the separate congressional bodies. The final bill includes:
- $27.5 billion for highways and bridges ($26.8 billion by formula, $20 million for on-the-job training)
- $8.4 billion for transit
- $9.3 billion for rail ($8 billion for high-speed rail)
- $1.5 billion for competitive surface transportation grants (DOT)
The full bill text and the joint explanatory statements are available at http://appropriations.house.gov.
FHWA Economic Recovery Page
Established to assist state and local agencies, it includes questions and answers on economic recovery issues raised by State DOTs; actions that can be taken to expedite economic recovery delivery; opportunities and additional resources; and workzone considerations. |
