Make that a 'defunding' bill, technically described as a devolution bill. The concept is simple: roll back the federal gas tax to 3.7 cents per gallon, shift transportation responsibility to the states and use block grants to provide federal funding.
The Hill's transportation reporter, Keith Laing, covers both sides of the federal transportation funding shortfall, i.e., the 18.4-cent per gallon gas tax, not raised since 1993, which provides insufficient funds to cover current transportation spending.
Yesterday, we posted his blog on a new bipartisan Senate bill that would increase transportation funding through the creation of an infrastructure bank. In this article, he covers a new bill, dubbed the Transportation Empowerment Act (TEA), that would drastically reduce government spending on transportation projects by shifting responsibility to the states.
Filed by Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Rep. Tom Graves (R-Ga.), the bills, (S. 1702 and H.R. 3486, respectively) "reduce the 18.4 cents-per-gallon gasoline tax to 3.7 cents in five years" while transferring "authority over federal highways and transit programs to states and replace(s) current congressional appropriations with block grants," writes Laing.
The concept, commonly referred to by transportation observers as "devolution," is very popular with staunch conservatives who argue that development of road and transit infrastructure should be left up to states.
The bill, a retake of failed 1996 legislation of the same name by then Congressman John Kasich (now governor of Ohio), has attracted many supporters. "Graves said the House version of the transportation devolution has garnered 19 co-sponsors. The conservative Heritage Action group, which has supported devolution proposals in the past, came out in favor of the Lee-Graves bill this week," writes Laing.
While a drastic reduction of the taxes motorists pay to the federal government would no doubt please conservatives, state governors and legislators, regardless of party affiliation, may balk at the idea of assuming responsibility for federal roads and bridges without receiving additional funding.
Crane Durham's "NothingButTruth" blog sheds some light on how states would get the funds to take on their new responsibilities.
States would be free to increase their state gas taxes or implement alternative revenue collection mechanisms—whatever works best for their citizens.
Easier written than done. We've devoted countless posts to attempts by states to increase state gas taxes and other measures to increase transportation revenue. The track record is by and large not a good one.
Laing also presents the article in a video format.
FULL STORY: Bill would eliminate federal transportation funding
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.
Why Should We Subsidize Public Transportation?
Many public transit agencies face financial stress due to rising costs, declining fare revenue, and declining subsidies. Transit advocates must provide a strong business case for increasing public transit funding.
Paris Bike Boom Leads to Steep Drop in Air Pollution
The French city’s air quality has improved dramatically in the past 20 years, coinciding with a growth in cycling.
Why Housing Costs More to Build in California Than in Texas
Hard costs like labor and materials combined with ‘soft’ costs such as permitting make building in the San Francisco Bay Area almost three times as costly as in Texas cities.
San Diego County Sees a Rise in Urban Coyotes
San Diego County experiences a rise in urban coyotes, as sightings become prevalent throughout its urban neighbourhoods and surrounding areas.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
City of Santa Clarita
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