Monthly Archives: November 2015

Texas & Self Driving Cars. 4 Results from the Laissez-faire Libertarian Approach.

Google cars are maneuvering Austin roadways while Texas’ regulation of self-driving cars is laissez-faire libertarian.

4 Reasons Why the libertarian approach has prevailed:

  • Texas laws & regulation have no obvious restrictions on self-driving vehicles
  • Google is frustrated with a year delay in California’s state regulation of self driving cars
  • DPS is reportedly working with other states on the issue
  • TXDOT says it is waiting for legislative guidance

Statesman | In Texas, debate…

Car Hacking Top Security Risk for McAfee

McAfee Labs 2016 Threats Predictions puts hacking cars as the top security risk, & here’s why:

Findlaw | Technologist | Car Hacking Tops List of 2016 Cybersecurity Threats

Trend: Self Driving Cars. New Fed Rules. 3 Points to Know.

Background

  •  In 2013, the feds were super cautious about self driving cars. 
  • States stepped up and began creating regulatory frameworks
  • Then, California asked the feds for advice & the feds began rethinking their position

New Federal Guidelines Emerging for Self Driving Cars that will:

  • Transportation Secretary has directed National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to get moving on self driving car rules
  • The new rules will: “reflect today’s technology and his sense of urgency to…

New High Speed Rail Group Forms to Bring Golden State to the Silver Mines. 9 Quick Facts. No State Dollars.

What’s the new high speed rail project? High Speed Rail from Los Angeles to Las Vegas

What group is behind the project? Nevada High-Speed Rail Authority

9 Facts to Know about the Project:

  • It has an exclusive relationship with XpressWest ( a Las Vegas based company)
  • no state dollars are pledged or committed 
  • NV Governor’s Office of Economic Development is engaged in the project
  • zero-emissions train
  • cuts in half the time of the travel to 80 minutes
  • tickets will cost less than $100…

The Genesis of Transportation Reinvestment Zones. 4 Things to Know. The AG Opinion that Detailed it.

In 2012, Attorney General Abbott was asked by Chairman Pickett to answer questions about:

  • The Authority of a county to form a transportation reinvestment zone
  • Whether the zone can collect an ad valorem tax increment
  • Can the funds be  pledged and assigned to secure bonds to pay the cost of a transportation project ?

The Attorney General Opinion GA-0981:

  • Transportation Code Chapter 222 lays out Transportation Reinvestment Zone parameters
  • Since we’re talking about Ad Valorem Increment…

Trend: Transportation Reinvestment Zone Merger. 3 Benefits of TRZ. 4 Benefits of Transportation Projects.

Which County is proposing a Transportation Reinvestment Zone? Cameron County

How is Cameron County moving forward with the Transportation Reinvestment Zone? The County Commissioners are voting to approve a merger of 5 TIRZ districts

What 3 benefits do they see in the Transportation Reinvestment Zone?

  • “transportation projects can be completed much more quickly”
  • there will be more funding as the RMA will be able to pledge the existing TIRZ funds for a bond directly
  • Potential to create…

You Betcha. 3 Things Businesses in a Northern State Say About Transportation Funding Sources.

A survey of businesses in Minnesota by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce reveals how these businesses feel about filling that state’s $6 Billion, over 10 year, transportation funding deficit.

The results:

  • Largely Oppose new taxes even for transportation funding
  • 64%  support dedicating a sales tax on automobile parts and rental cars
  • 2nd most popular funding option- fees
    •  Specifically, increasing license tab fees & dedicating those fees to roads. 

Transit Talk (Twin Cities)…

East & West Texas Editorials Support Raise the Gas Tax. 3 Reasons Why.

Both the Beaumont Enterprise and the Midland Reporter-Telegram ran editorials supporting raising the gas tax. 

  • 2015 Prop 7 is not enough for transportation funding
  • The state still needs $5 billion per year for transportation funding
  • “The only realistic answer is increasing the gasoline tax, which hasn’t changed since 1991”

Midland Reporter-Telegram | Texas highways need more funding, higher gasoline tax