The Republican chair of the Senate Transportation Committee is considering an 11.5-cent gas tax increase, setting up a potential conflict with Gov. Jay Inslee's preference to apply a carbon charge to industrial emissions to fund transportation.
"Republican Curtis King, the chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, is looking at an 11.5-cent per gallon increase phased in over three years," writes Austin Jenkins, political reporter for the Northwest News Network. "It would help fund a $14 billion transportation package with projects on both sides of the Cascades." [Listen here.]
It’s been a decade since the last transportation package passed the Washington legislature. Pressure has been building on lawmakers to fund a new round of projects as well as maintenance and preservation of existing roads.
Should King proceed with a gas tax hike, it could set up a conflict with "Democratic Governor Jay Inslee (who) proposed a carbon-emissions charge on industrial emitters," writes Jenkins. A gas tax is the conventional means of funding transportation spending. Even in California, the only state to have a state-run carbon market that requires industries and, effective Jan.1, 2015, transportation fuel wholesalers, to purchase carbon allowances, revenues are not directed to the state Highway User Fund but to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.
However, as noted here in December, one motivation for the carbon charge was "that the governor has been trying to [raise the gas tax] unsuccessfully for the last two years (see here), so Inslee proposed (Dec. 16) to take a new approach."
Now that a key Republican may propose a comparable gas tax to the carbon charge in terms of revenue, will Inslee drop the cap-and-trade proposal?
Hat tip to AASHTO Daily Transportation Update
FULL STORY: Republican Transportation Leader Eyeing 11.5 Cent Gas Tax Increase
California Cap-And-Trade Surprise: Cash Flows Out-of-State to Reduce Emissions
California industries are buying offsets in lieu of purchasing carbon allowances or reducing carbon emissions, and most of the offsets are spent out-of-state, assisting the recipients economically as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Massachusetts Legislators Fear Hidden Gas Tax in Transportation and Climate Initiative
Gov. Charlie Baker (R) supports a multi-state proposal to mitigate tailpipe emissions that would increase gas prices and pay for transit projects in an $18 billion transportation bond. A bill has been introduced to ensure that doesn't happen.
California Lawmaker Wants to Triple Electric Vehicle Rebates
Assemblyman Phil Ting seeks to dramatically increase the state electric vehicle sales rebate of $2,500, motivated in part by the phasing-out of the federal EV tax credit of $7,500. The bill rules out significant revenue sources.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
Minneapolis as a Model for Housing Affordability
Through a combination of policies, the city has managed to limit the severity of the nationwide housing crisis.
Indy Bikeshare System Turns 10, Expands to E-Bikes
Pacers Bikeshare riders logged over 700,000 rides since the system launched in 2014.
Coming Soon to Ohio: The Largest Agrivoltaic Farm in the US
The ambitious 6,000-acre project will combine an 800-watt solar farm with crop and livestock production.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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.
