Georgia's experience emerging from the recession as revenues increase after years of government belt tightening is common around the country. The question now: How to finance the improvements to the state's neglected transportation infrastructure?
"As the General Assembly gears up for 2015 legislative session, transportation appears to once again be the star of the show," according to a column by Saba Long.
Long addresses the talking points of opponents to increasing the gas tax in the state, namely "the government is too bloated" and "I am paying too much in taxes." In response to the idea of raising the gas tax, Long suggests that "we ought to consider other options as well; particularly considering strong support for pro-autonomous vehicles will lead to a potential boom for Georgia’s already popular electric vehicle market." Lucas adds that Oregon could provide a model for Georgia's future revenue streams: "Georgia, too, could pursue a pilot to deem the merits of VMT, rather than going for a knee-jerk 'no.'"
Read the full story: Despite anti-tax push-back, Georgia needs more money for transportation
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