Just another WordPress site
According to updated data from the Census Bureau, states and local governmental entities, which collectively spent an estimated $252 billion last year, are also investing more in public infrastructure this year.
“The Regional Transportation Council earlier this month agreed to pay $4.5 million through 2018 to keep up planning efforts on the portion of the proposed bullet train system that would connect Fort Worth, Arlington and Dallas.”
What’s the source of the funds? “The council decided to use $4.5 million in surplus revenue collected from the region’s toll roads.”
55% of Phoenix voters approved a $31.7 billion transportation bond package that will add:
The bond package will be backed by:
The financials are:
Rep. Joe Pickett, Chair
Members include:
The select committee is the result of 2015’s HB 20 by Simmons. The Selecgt Committee will:
California is limiting the rebate it gives for hybrids. If you earn more than $500,000 per year, no rebate for you! Tax groups label the rebate, “welfare for the rich.”
How does California fund the electric car subsidies? A surcharge on vehicle registration fees and a portion of the smog fee
California’s Policy Goal: Rapidly increase the percentage of zero-emission vehicles in the state
What’s the program cost so far? $242 million in rebates awarded to 114,702 Californians, mostly in…
Better economy breeds worse traffic. Rest assured, the Texas A&M Traffic Institute is tracking what states are doing about gridlock. See their list. More importantly, here are the strategies they suggest to counter congestion:
Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam (R) is proposing the state increase the state’s 21.4 cents-per-gallon gas tax. The current combined, federal and state, gas tax is 39.8 cents per gallon.
Tennessee Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey (R-Blountville) says “If there’s a basic function of government, it is to build infrastructure.”
Utah lawmakers reformatted transportation funding in 2 significant ways:
An Arizona Senator said of Utah,
“In 22 states, and mostly red…
Missouri Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association is promoting an initiative to significantly raise tobacco taxes. The details:
WGEM.COM: Proposed tobacco tax hike in Missouri could help area roads
“There has been some discussion about a portion of that tax being diverted away from highway construction. We were able to stop that in the current budget. That is approximately $650 million per year that will be spent on highway maintenance and construction,” Wray said. “That was an item and topic that I heard a lot about on the campaign trail. I am happy to report to you that we were able to end that diversion.”