A proposed long-term lease of the Pennsylvania Turnpike could provide close to $1.7 billion a year -- funding the state's transit and road needs without the need for additional taxes.
"A long-term lease of the Pennsylvania Turnpike could generate enough revenue on its own to meet public-transit and roads and bridges funding needs identified by the state, according to a report released on Monday.
A lease, which was pitched in Gov. Ed Rendell's proposed state budget and has won little favor with legislators, could raise an estimated $1.7 billion annually. It could also eliminate the need to fund transportation through other sources, including a new tax on oil companies proposed as part of the governor's budget plan.
In an analysis of three transportation funding options conducted by Morgan Stanley & Co., the lease came out on top, the governor said."
"With a June 30 budget deadline looming for the state general budget, the Port Authority, SEPTA and many state transit agencies, legislators are still at work on finding a solution to the state's transportation funding needs."
FULL STORY: Report says turnpike lease could fund public transit as well as roads needs
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.
Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features
It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
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Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Town of Zionsville
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