How One County Filled a Rail Revenue Deficit with a Property Tax Increase. Special Districts.

The County: Dade County Florida

The revenue deficit: In 2002, the County promised that an 8% increase in sales tax rate would build 90 miles of rail. They’ve built 3 miles.

Are property taxes going to go up? No, the property taxes near the proposed rail lines will be captured by special districts.

Are P3s involved? Yes. The transportation special districts will work with private interests to  pursue private financing & operation of new transit projects within the special districts

Governing | County Considers Raising Property Taxes to Expand Rail

 

INTERIM. Ride Share and Drunk Driving. 3 Points from New Study.

Where was the new study published?  The July 2016 edition of The American Journal of Epidemiology

Did the study conclude ride share reduces drunk driving? No.

What reason did the authors give for ride share not impacitng drunk driving rates? Not enough ride share drivers yet

Washington Post | Is Uber reducing drunk driving? New study says no.

INTERIM. Sharing Economy. West Coast Statewide Regulation.

Which state is considering statewide regulation of ride share? Oregon

What does the statewide regulatory proposal look like? 

  • Preemption. override local regulations that cause ride share comapnies to leave some cities
  •  Indepdendent Contractors.  Codify the employee status of drivers.
  • Commercial Insurance
  • Annual background checks.

The Oregonian | Uber wants Oregon Legislature to allow ride-hailing apps statewide

INTERIM. Sharing Economy. New Statewide Rules from the East.

Which state legislature passed new statewide ride share rules? Massachusettes

What fee does it levy? 20-cent per ride surcharge to fund state infrastructure improvements

What requirements are placed on ride-share companies?

  • insurance thresholds
  • two-step background check for drivers
  • no fingerprinting requirements
  • decals on ride share cars will be mandatory
  • cars will be required to pay commercial toll fees

What state agency will regulate ride share?  Department of Public Utilities funded by a surcharge on revenues earned by ride share companies

Is there something for taxis in the bill? Yes, 10 cents of the 20 cent surcharge will fund grant for taxi technology and workforce development

Patriot Ledger | Legislature agrees to new rules for ride-hailing companies

 

5 Things to Know about Port of Houston Sale of Bayport Terminal.

  • Houston’s foray into the cruise ship industry included the Bayport Cruise Terminal, a $108 million project
  • Critics of the Bayport Cruise Terminal called it a “boondoggle”
  • Other critics said the problem was the industrial environment is not the scenery for a cruise ship terminal
  • In 2012, the Port approved $6.7 million in incentives to Norwegian Cruise Line and Princess Cruises
  • The numbers couldn’t compete with Galveston’s cruise data:
    • In 2016 Galveston will board 870,000
    • Generates $56 million in onshore passanger spending
    • Generates $18.1 million in port services

Houston Chronicle | With cruise ships gone, Port of Houston decides to move on at Bayport

3 Ways to Legislatively Stop High Speed Rail

Potential Legislation for the 2017 Texas Legislature to Stop Texas Central Rail from using Eminent Domain:

  • Prohibit Texas Central from exercising eminent domain authority
  • Prevent Texas Central from using private lands for the project, if a 3rd party exercises eminent domain
  • Rep. Metcalf’s proposal to require elected officials in every city & county along the proposed route to approve it

KHOU | High-speed rail opponents hope to block project next year