In Massachusetts, transportation funding is one of the key issues to be addressed by the state legislature this year. James Aloisi, former Transportation Secretary, offers an inventive way to fund Transit Improvement Districts.
The primary source of transportation funding in Massachusetts is a 19-cent gas tax that has been unchanged since 1993. Governor Patrick Deval Patrick attempted to increase that tax in 2009, but the legislature opted to use increased sales tax revenue to fund transit and roads when those attempts failed.
The current funding is insufficient to address the state's transportation needs, and to make up the gap, Aloisi has proposed what he calls a "carbon impact parking assessment." The assessment is envisioned as a tax on nonresidential parking lots and garages with more than 20 spaces that are located within the district of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. Revenue from the parking tax would be directed towards improving the public transportation system and bike and pedestrian pathways.
"Parking taxes are not unusual in major cities," says Ryan Holeywell, "but at times, they have been politically unpopular." Such plans have resulted in political strife, such as when the University of Scranton sued its namesake city over a new parking tax and when Chicago residents objected to the $2-per-day "congestion fee" implemented by Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
"Aloisi says the plan would mitigate the environmental impact of automobiles while providing funding for other modes of transportation and ensuring that funding remains locally controlled."
FULL STORY: Should Parking Be Taxed to Fund Bike Paths?

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.

North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

San Mateo Formally Opposes Freeway Project
The city council will send a letter to Caltrans urging the agency to reconsider a plan to expand the 101 through the city of San Mateo.

A Bronx Community Fights to Have its Voice Heard
After organizing and giving input for decades, the community around the Kingsbridge Armory might actually see it redeveloped — and they want to continue to have a say in how it goes.

Houston Mayor Promises Dedicated Austin Street Bike Lane After Public Backlash
Although the one-way bike lane won’t be protected by physical barriers, the proposal is an improvement over the mayor’s initial plan to only include sharrows on the Austin Street project.
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.
Borough of Carlisle
Caltrans
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
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