Among the ten state legislatures, mostly Republican controlled, which passed gas tax increases last year, the one that stood out the most was Nebraska's because it had to override Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) veto of the six-cent gas tax hike bill.
Details of the unicameral legislature overriding Governor Pete Ricketts' veto of the gas tax tax last May were posted here, including the schedule for the six-cent tax increase from 2016 to 2019. The ten state legislatures that voted to increase gas taxes last year are listed at the bottom of this post. Noteworthy is that only two had Democratic governors.
"During a bill-signing ceremony at the State Capitol, the governor praised senators for passing one of his legislative priorities for 2016," writes Joe Duggan for the World-Herald. "Lawmakers voted 48-0 last week to give final approval to what’s been called the Transportation Innovation Act." The bill will fund $450 million in highway construction.
While Ricketts didn't thank the legislature for overriding his veto of the gas tax increase last year, perhaps he should have when considering where the highway funding comes from.
The law earmarks $50 million of the state’s cash reserve fund and about $400 million in future state gas tax revenue for expressway construction, county bridge repair and transportation-related economic development projects.
The governor initially wanted to transfer $150 million from the state’s rainy day fund to kick-start the infrastructure bank. The Legislature agreed to $50 million in cash reserve funds, but lawmakers also voted to increase overall funding by $150 million more than the governor proposed.
While the gas tax hike may have increased road funding, road-building would have continued regardless. Instead of being paid by gas taxes, it would have been subsidized from the rainy day fund, similar to what the federal government has done since 2008.
Ricketts maintained his opposition to the gas tax increase. "On Monday, he said he still doesn’t support tax increases, including the one that has now become the foundation of his roads initiative," writes Duggan.
“What we wanted to do as far as this bill is, since the gas tax did pass, we were going to dedicate those funds so they were working for the people of Nebraska,” Ricketts said.
As for saving $100 million for perhaps a real rainy day event, there's no ribbon-cutting for that.
Hat tip to AASHTO Daily Transportation Update (April 19)
FULL STORY: Ricketts signs $450 million transportation bill aimed at completing 4-lane expressway system
Democrats Balk at Gov. Newsom's Gas Tax Holiday
Saving motorists 3 cents a gallon may be a slam dunk for Republican leaders in the California legislature who opposed hiking the gas tax in the first place, but Democratic leaders are reluctant to tamper with a hard-fought legislative and ballot win.
Missouri Governor: Don't Show Me a Gas Tax Hike!
It is an understatement that Increasing fuel taxes is challenging. If there is an opportune time to do it, it's when gas prices are relatively low, when the state decides to cut other taxes, and when there's bipartisan support.
New Year's Day State Gas Tax Increases, Decreases, and What Lies Ahead
Pennsylvania, the state that had the highest gas tax last year, saw the highest gas tax increase of 7.9 cents per gallon, the final increment of a 2013 law. Michigan's 7.3 cents tax increase, signed into law in 2015, is the second largest increase.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion
The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.
Since Zion's Shuttles Went Electric “The Smog is Gone”
Visitors to Zion National Park can enjoy the canyon via the nation’s first fully electric park shuttle system.
Trump Distributing DOT Safety Funds at 1/10 Rate of Biden
Funds for Safe Streets and other transportation safety and equity programs are being held up by administrative reviews and conflicts with the Trump administration’s priorities.
German Cities Subsidize Taxis for Women Amid Wave of Violence
Free or low-cost taxi rides can help women navigate cities more safely, but critics say the programs don't address the root causes of violence against women.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie