The new transportation funding formula approved by voters in Texas will bring new funding to the Texas Department of Transportation.
"State Comptroller Glenn Hegar on Wednesday offered transportation planners a mixed bag of projections about the highway funding enhancements that voters have approved in recent years," reports Tom Benning.
On the good side of the mixed bag, general sales tax revenue will be sufficient to trigger $2.5 billion a year in road funding by 2018. From the middle of the mixed bag, vehicle sales tax will also send more money to roads in 2020, but less than originally thought. Finally, from the bad side of the mixed bag: "The estimates continue to shrink — thanks to the low price of oil — for the yearly boosts the Texas Department of Transportation receives from the state’s energy production tax revenues."
All of this funding is necessary to meet the $5 billion in annual funding established by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) as necessary "to keep congestion from getting worse and to maintain the state’s roads." Proposition 7, approved by voters in November, enabled these new funding mechanisms.
FULL STORY: State comptroller, though optimistic, offers mixed projections on roads funding boosts

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Washington Legislature Passes Rent Increase Cap
A bill that caps rent increases at 7 percent plus inflation is headed to the governor’s desk.

From Planning to Action: How LA County Is Rethinking Climate Resilience
Chief Sustainability Officer Rita Kampalath outlines the County’s shift from planning to implementation in its climate resilience efforts, emphasizing cross-departmental coordination, updated recovery strategies, and the need for flexible funding.

New Mexico Aging Department Commits to Helping Seniors Age ‘In Place’ and ‘Autonomously’ in New Draft Plan
As New Mexico’s population of seniors continues to grow, the state’s aging department is proposing expanded initiatives to help seniors maintain their autonomy while also supporting family caregivers.
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