The NYT looks at a provision in a state assembly bill to restore transit funding to beleaguered CA transit agencies by allowing voters in regions to approve gas fees. Not only was the provision dropped by the Senate - the governor vetoed the bill.
California's chronic indebtedness has caused Gov. Schwarzenegger to regularly raid the State Transit Assistance (STA) account. Now he has proposed swapping the sales tax on gas for an increase in the excise tax that would give motorists a small 'break' at the pump.. The legislature proposed a higher excise tax to make it revenue neutral with an interesting option for regional transit funding.
"The Bay Area commission is perhaps the state's strongest advocate for a proposal that would allow voters to adopt local fees on gasoline and diesel fuel to finance transit service and pay for street and trail improvements that would benefit pedestrians and cyclists.
"Local government and state government need a clear separation," said Randy Rentschler, who follows state legislation for the commission. "Some people would use the word ‘divorce.'"
Thanks to Faramarz Nabavi
FULL STORY: Politics: A Time to Consider Local Fuel Fees
Bay Area Transit Projects Awarded $18 Million
The funding supports eight ‘near-term’ projects slated for completion within the next one to three years.
Poll: Bay Area Voters on Transit Funding Sources
Voters in Northern California indicated support for higher taxes on the wealthy and big companies, rejecting increased property or sales taxes to support transportation projects.
The Advocacy Coalition Behind Minnesota’s Transit Funding Victory
The Minnesota State Legislature recently approved one of the most significant funding bills ever devoted to transit at the state level. The bill required rare political alignment and a new brand of advocacy.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Wind Energy on the Rise Despite Federal Policy Reversal
The Trump administration is revoking federal support for renewable energy, but demand for new projects continues unabated.
Passengers Flock to Caltrain After Electrification
The new electric trains are running faster and more reliably, leading to strong ridership growth on the Bay Area rail system.
Texas Churches Rally Behind ‘Yes in God’s Back Yard’ Legislation
Religious leaders want the state to reduce zoning regulations to streamline leasing church-owned land to housing developers.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
Smith Gee Studio
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service