Pushing New Fuel Taxes In The Era Of $4 Gasoline

Planetizen assistant editor Nate Berg reports on a plan by California Assembly Member Mike Feuer to raise over 400 million a year for public transportation via a increase in the Los Angeles County gasoline tax. With gas prices at $4 a gallon in Los Angeles, critics argue that the plan's timing is poor, but Feuer says now is the best time to ask voters to fund alternatives to driving.

"Americans are furious about paying $4 a gallon, but the pump price in Britain is more than twice that. In California, lawmakers are considering a bill where drivers in car-happy Los Angeles County pay higher fees to fund public transportation projects."