Matthew Yglesias writes on the upcoming expiration of the federal gas tax as the next political hurdle facing a divided Congress that has enormous infrastructure and budget deficit implications. The Republican 'no new taxes' pledge may apply.
Yglesias refers to an August 1 Politico article report that "speculates that the scheduled September 30 sunset of the federal gasoline tax could be the next political controversy to spark a brawl in an ever more deeply divided Capitol Hill." Yglesias notes that "the gas tax, in addition to serving important environmental goals, is the means by which the federal government finances investments in transportation infrastructure."
A key issue may very well be how far the majority of Republicans will take their 'no new taxes' pledge devised by Grover Norquist.
"In general, Americans for Tax Reform has always supported the idea of ending the federal tax on gas and having states pay for their own roads," Grover Norquist told Politico, but he declined to say whether he or his group plans to pressure congressional Republicans to let the excise tax expire.
"ATR would love to help begin such a dialogue," he said.
In any case, reauthorizing the transportation bill based on projected funding of the current 18.4 cent gas tax, unchanged since President Clinton raised it 4.3 cents 18 years ago and the basis of the House Transportation Chair John Mica's six-year, $230 billion surface-transportation (pdf), would seem like a safe fallback.
Thanks to John Hartz
FULL STORY: Will The Federal Gasoline Tax Be Grover Norquist’s Next?
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire
Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.
LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.
Paris Voters Approve More Car-Free Streets
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo says the city will develop a plan to close 500 streets to car traffic and add new bike and pedestrian infrastructure after a referendum on the proposal passed with 66 percent of the vote.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service