While acknowledging that the 18.4 cent gas tax is insufficient to meet today's and tomorrow's transportation needs, LaHood said that increasing fuel taxes now would jeopardize the economic recovery.
Saying 'no' to increasing gas and diesel taxes and 'no' to a vehicle miles traveled fee does not leave many options opened to increasing funding through a 'pay-as-you-go' approach. Many members of the audience of the American Road and Transportation Builders Association were clearly displeased with this approach as they believe that "a gas tax hike remains the simplest and least costly way to beef up transport infrastructure funding".
"Appearing before a heavily attended conference in Washington, D.C., of the (ARTBA), Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood vowed "raising the gas tax is not an option" to increase money available for federal transport spending.
LaHood said a combination of current-level gas tax receipts, road and bridge tolling and President Obama's proposed infrastructure fund could offer a way to fund a long-term federal infrastructure program without new taxes."
Thanks to Mark Brucker
Can State Lawmakers Make the Case for Road Charges?
More state legislatures are considering fees based on vehicle miles traveled as a replacement for declining gas tax revenues.
Mississippi Aims to Abolish Income Tax — and Replace it With Gas Tax
The new gas tax would fund MDOT and the Strategic Multi-Modal Investments Fund.
California Testing Per-Mile Gas Tax Alternatives
A summer pilot program will test the fairness and efficacy of collection mechanisms for mileage-based fee options.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars
Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.
As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)