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.'"
FULL STORY: Despite anti-tax push-back, Georgia needs more money for transportation

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.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
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