A summer pilot program will test the fairness and efficacy of collection mechanisms for mileage-based fee options.

Gas taxes make up roughly 80 percent of California road and highway repair funding, but as more drivers switch to electric cars and the state prepares to ban the sale of gasoline-powered cars in 2035, that key funding source is in peril. California authorities are trialing alternative revenue generators.
“The new pilot program will pay Californian drivers of any vehicle type up to $400 to test alternative options for six months starting in August,” explains Alia Shoaib in Newsweek. The program includes two alternatives: a flat per-mile fee or an individual rate that varies with a vehicle’s fuel efficiency. The pilot is designed to test the collection process and ensure it is “fair and reliable.” The state is seeking 800 participants for the program.
FULL STORY: California Tests Gas Tax Alternative

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

Demise of Entertainment Industry Mirrors Demise of Housing in LA
Making movies has a lot in common with developing real estate: producers = developers; screenwriters = architects; directors = general contractors. The similarities are more than trivial. Both industries are now hurting in L.A.

How Public Spaces Exclude Teen Girls
Adolescent girls face unique challenges and concerns when navigating public spaces. We can design cities with their needs in mind.

Proposed Ohio Budget Preserves Housing Trust Fund
The Senate-approved budget also creates two new programs aimed at encouraging housing construction.
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