Just how does a transportation bill that doesn't increase fuel taxes or introduce new user charges, and maintain the same level of spending reduce the deficit by $16.3 billion? Ask the Congressional Budget Office.
Rather than a straightforward gas tax increase to sustain the current level of transportation spending, the bill, known as H.R. 4348 or MAP-21, relies on an incredible amount of budget transfers and redirecting of funds from different revenue sources which may or may not have to do with transportation. Conclusion: "CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 4348 would reduce budget deficits over the 2012-2022 period by $16.3 billion."
According to Taxpayers For Common Sense (TCS), "the $16.3 billion includes $11.2 billion in increased premiums from the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation – which is itself $26 billion in debt!" And then one one must disregard the "$18.8 billion transfer from the Treasury to the Highway Trust Fund! Or the transfer of $2.4 billion from the Leaking Underground Storage Tank (LUST) Fund to the Highway Trust Fund!"
When TCS does the math for the new bill, they conclude that it will increase the deficit by 13.7 billion.
In their Statement Opposing Transportation Omnibus Bill, TCS accuses lawmakers of relying "on a variety of budgetary smoke and mirrors."
According to TCS, the revenue gained from changes in the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation are "ludicrous at best." But even if the new revenue is correctly determined, why is it directed to the Highway Trust Fund that historically has been funded from highway user fees to pay for the nation's transportation needs?
Thanks to Deron Lovaas
FULL STORY: Congress’ Tortured Math

Four ‘Low-Hanging Fruit’ Zoning Reforms
An excerpt from the latest book on zoning argues for four approaches to reform that can immediately improve land use regulation in the United States.

San Francisco Just Ended Single-Family Zoning
The San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted to Tuesday to eliminate single-family zoning, but pro-development advocates say additional changes are needed to unleash a wave of construction.

Land Banking to Prevent Transit-Oriented Displacement in Los Angeles
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) will implement a new land banking program to mitigate gentrification and displacement around future transit lines.

San Francisco to Reconsider Inclusionary Zoning as Development Slows to a Crawl
Critics of inclusionary zoning frequently point to San Francisco as an example of what not to do. A sluggish year of development has some local politicians ready to reconsider the city’s program.

California Senate Committee Kills Freeway Expansion Bill
The proposed legislation would have prohibited new construction in historically underserved areas that often bear the burnt of the negative impacts of freeways.

Initiative Brings Capacity Building to Booming Rural Towns
A research and capacity building initiative based at Utah State University seeks to help fast-growing tourist meccas in the West plan for smart growth.
City of Bothell
Town of San Anselmo
Palm Beach Transportation Planning Agency (TPA)
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Harvard Graduate School of Design Executive Education
Harvard Graduate School of Design Executive Education
City of Apache Junction
City of Helena
Gallatin County, Montana
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.
Hand Drawing Master Plans
This course aims to provide an introduction into Urban Design Sketching focused on how to hand draw master plans using a mix of colored markers.