Certain states have had to scramble to restructure their gas taxes as gas prices have dropped—and kept dropping—lest transportation funds hit empty.
Daniel C. Vock reports on the "handful of states that tax gasoline based on its price -- rather than the volume of gas sold," which were making raking in the revenue back when the price of gas was astronomical. "But now that the national average is $2.01 per gallon," writes Vock, "states like Kentucky, North Carolina and Virginia are in a financial bind."
Vock takes Virginia as his first example, which recently estimated that "low gas prices could deplete the state's $5.4 billion transportation funding package by $530 million through 2019." The state reacted by setting a new minimum for how low its gas taxes can go. According to Vock, "No matter how cheap gas gets, it will be taxed as if the price is $3.11 a gallon."
The article includes more detail, including examples from Kentucky and North Carolina, about the impact of volatile gas prices on the fiscal health of states.
FULL STORY: To Avoid Losing Millions, States Tweak Gas Tax Laws
Can State Lawmakers Make the Case for Road Charges?
More state legislatures are considering fees based on vehicle miles traveled as a replacement for declining gas tax revenues.
Mississippi Aims to Abolish Income Tax — and Replace it With Gas Tax
The new gas tax would fund MDOT and the Strategic Multi-Modal Investments Fund.
California Testing Per-Mile Gas Tax Alternatives
A summer pilot program will test the fairness and efficacy of collection mechanisms for mileage-based fee options.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
San Francisco's School District Spent $105M To Build Affordable Housing for Teachers — And That's Just the Beginning
SFUSD joins a growing list of school districts using their land holdings to address housing affordability challenges faced by their own employees.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Seattle's Plan for Adopting Driverless Cars
Equity, safety, accessibility and affordability are front of mind as the city prepares for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicles.
As Trump Phases Out FEMA, Is It Time to Flee the Floodplains?
With less federal funding available for disaster relief efforts, the need to relocate at-risk communities is more urgent than ever.
With Protected Lanes, 460% More People Commute by Bike
For those needing more ammo, more data proving what we already knew is here.
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.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)