Gabriel Roth, a civil engineer, transportation economist and research fellow is fed up with the federal government's inability to fully fund transportation and suggests that its time to hand off responsibility to the states.
Roth, writing for The Independent Institute in Oakland, CA, observes that neither of the two congressional bills to reauthorize the transportation funding bill are fully funded by fuel tax revenues and will need subsidy by the U.S. general fund (or some non-user fund source). He is frustrated by what he terms the "new (funding) principle (that) has brought the United States to the brink of insolvency: Spend what you want and if the usual funding sources aren't sufficient - in this case the fuel taxes that replenish the trust fund - dip into general revenues to make up the difference."
"(T)here is a solution to the funding dilemma: Congress could get out of transportation financing altogether, wind down the Highway Trust Fund and leave highway financing and decision-making to states, local authorities and private entities."
Roth supports his solution with three reasons, including relieving Congress of doing what appears to be politically impossible but completely necessary: raising fuel taxes. However, Roth shows himself to be no friend of transit.
"Under this arrangement, transit users and providers would lose their federal subsidies. Mass transit, which comprises less than 2 percent of U.S. urban travel-miles, currently receives 20 percent of federal surface transportation funding. But transit projects should be funded locally, not by Washington. Why should farmers in Ohio finance mass transit services in Chicago?"
FULL STORY: Gabriel Roth: Who should pay for highways?

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

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

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie