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Lege TREND. Data Based Transportation Funding. 3 Keys from Eastern State.

Which state moved to data based funding for transportatin projects? North Carolina

When did North Carolina make the move to data based funding? 2013

Why did North Carolina adopt data based funding for transportation? To give highest priority to congestion, safety and economic development

What happened since adopting data based funding? A repeal was “snuck” into the 2015 budget.

What is North Carolina doing to strenthen data based funding?

3 Point Speed Read. Waller County. High Speed Rail.

Will eminent domain be used by Texas Centeral Rail to build its Dallas-Houston high speed rail?  Only if deals cannot be reached

How did property owners in Waller County react?

  • Waller County Judge Trey Duhon: “This is a huge eminent domain issue. Texas is a huge private property right state.” 
  • A property owner turned away a precondemnation surveyor on his property
  • Reports are that deals will never come.

High Speed Rail is turning into a standoff.

KHOU | Waller County landowners vow…

TRENDING. High Speed Rail Reforms in California. 1 Editorial. 5 Suggestions.

The Los Angels Times editorial, Californians deserve more transparency on bullet train finances, the take aways:

  • Support “common-sense transparency measures that can help them properly oversee the project”
  • Lawmakers should be told how high speed rail will cover the full cost of the project
  • Require that the authority include its projected borrowing costs in its business plan
  • Disclose the long term costs of debt financing and securitization of debt issued against future cap-and-trade…

TREND. West Coast Solution to low road funding? Incremental sales tax.

What proposal is being bandied about to improve local transportation funding in California? incremental sales tax for counties to raise transportation revenue

What are the recommended benchmarks for a local transporation incremental sales tax in California?

  • Flexibility & Inclusiveness.  Need local sales tax authority that can adapt to changing transportation needs
  • Clear bonding authority. Leverage the sales tax revenue for bonds & other financial mechanisms

Sound familiar? Local…

High Speed Rail Responds to Sub Regional Planning Commissioner. 3 Key Pieces Intel.

Quick response to the County Development Sub Regional Planning Commissioner Hiles by Texas Central Rail. 

Texas Central Rail responds with 3 points:

  • The North Texas to Houston High Speed Rail will add $36 Billion to the economy over 25 years
  • It will pay $2.5 billion in taxes to state, counties, cities, hospitals and school districts.
  • The “company WILL NOT seek ANY operational subsidies from the government”

Local news Only | Texas’ high-speed train will provide economic development,…

New Kid on the block: Self Driving Car Coalition

What companies are members of the new self-driving car coalition? Alphabet Inc.’s Google, Ford Motor Co. and Uber Technologies Inc.,

What is the goals of the coalition?

  • advocate for safety regulations for self-driving cars
  • bring self driving cars to American roads

What are their arguments supporting self driving cars?

  • Self driving cars will prevent accidents
  • Self driving cars will save lives by preventing accidents
  • Self driving cars will reduce road congestion

Fuel Fix | Coalition…

INTERIM. Sharing Economy. Uber Ultimatum to Houston. 3 Reasons Uber May Leave.

What ultimatum did Uber issue to Houston? Change your ordinance or Uber is out…

What are 3 reasons behind the ultimatium?

  • Bureaucracy isn’t the answer. City regulations are too onerous on drivers 
  • Safety Checks should be Use Modern Tech. Uber thinks its background checks are better for rider safety
  • Houston Stands in the Way of Economic Opportunity for Drivers. City regulations are harming part time drivers that could benefit most from flexible economic opportunities

Houston…

2016 Attorney General Opinion. License Plate Readers. Insurance Enforcement. Procurement FAIL.

What is the question answered by Attorney General Opinion KP-0076? Whether Bowie County can engage a private company to use a license plate reader data looking for vehicles that don’t have liability insurance?

Is there a fee splitting arangement in this scenario? Yes, the vehcile owner will get a letter from the District Attorney office, and fees will be split 50-50 between the County and the company.

Can this fee splitting arrangement with automatic license plate readers…