South Carolina

Cancun gas station

Gas Taxes Advance in New Mexico and Wisconsin in May

The Democratic-controlled New Mexico legislature passed a 5-cents per gallon fuel tax increase and the Republican-controlled Assembly in Wisconsin backed a plan to apply sales tax to fuel, but their Republican governors oppose any tax hikes.

May 29, 2017 - Wisconsin State Journal

Gas Pumps

States Increasing Gas Taxes, Again

After a slow 2016, four states this year have already passed state gas tax increases. South Carolina may be next if they override the governor's veto. A new analysis should help legislators do just that.

May 10, 2017 - Governing

Magnolia Gardens

Google's South Carolina Groundwater Battle a Sign of Things to Come

A political battle over a large withdrawal of water for use by a Google server farm has one reporter deploying words like "war" and "free-for-all" to tell the story.

April 25, 2017 - The Post and Courier

Gas Pump

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.

January 11, 2017 - Tax Justice Blog

Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston, SC Sees the Pros and Cons of 6,000 New Apartments

Traffic Congestion, Parking Shortages, New Shopping Opportunities, Housing for Millennials, Economic Development! Charleston, South Carolina residents' reaction to over 6,000 planned or in development apartment units runs the gamut.

November 17, 2016 - The Post and Courier

Gasoline Shortage Hits South and East Coast after Pipeline Rupture

The rupture reveals the hazards of pipelines, but also shows how important they are to the economy. Six governors declared states of emergency to deal with gasoline shortages resulting from the pipeline shutdown in Shelby County, Alabama.

September 20, 2016 - The Huntsville Times

Road Projects Shut Down in New Jersey As Funds Run Out

A bill to replenish the state transportation trust fund by increasing the gas tax 23 cents per gallon stalled in the Senate because it would also cut $2 billion annually to the state's general fund.

July 5, 2016 - Planetizen

The Political Battle Over a Half-Built Nuclear Plant in South Carolina

Included among a budget proposal that likely won't go anywhere, the Obama Administration is recommending the end of a project that would create nuclear power by dismantling nuclear weapons.

February 10, 2016 - The New York Times

New Orleans Fire Truck

Why So Big? Rethinking Fire Truck Design

When they're not extinguishing actual flames, fire trucks can seem comically over-sized on city streets. Replacing portions of the fleet with smaller response vehicles might save money without sacrificing capability.

February 7, 2016 - CityLab

Shifting the Timeline of Hazard Mitigation Plans

South Carolina recently experienced the impacts of what was called a 1,000-year storm. The problem? The state experienced the same level of storm just 26 years ago, and can expect more of the same in the future.

October 20, 2015 - NRDC Switchboard

9 Dams Breached in South Carolina Flooding

The state of South Carolina is struggling to deal with a catastrophic sign that all of the warnings about the state of the nation's dams and bridges have gone unheeded for too long.

October 6, 2015 - CNN

10-Cent Fuel Tax Introduced by Conservative Republican

The basics of South Carolina Rep. Tom Rice's "Highway Trust Fund Certainty Act": Increase federal gas and diesel taxes by 10.1 cents in one year, index to inflation, and issue an income tax credit for $133.

July 13, 2015 - The Hill

Historic Charleston

Southern Cities Seek Balance Between Preservation and Modernity

In the wake of recent tragedy, cities like Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia still take pride in their architectural heritage. Debate abounds over whether modern architecture should be given freer rein.

June 28, 2015 - Next City

Confederate Flag Debate Spreading to Federal Transportation Funding

An Ohio Senator hopes to use the transportation reauthorization bill to motivate states that issue license plates bearing the Confederate flag to remove them. A week ago the Supreme Court ruled states can do so without violating the first amendment.

June 26, 2015 - Cincinnati Enquirer

Why Raise Gas Taxes When Surplus General Funds are Available to Fix Roads?

In Michigan, after voters defeated a sales tax hike that would have triggered a gas tax hike, General Fund revenues are dedicated to roads. South Carolina legislators, eying a gas tax hike, may direct surplus General Fund revenues to roads instead.

May 25, 2015 - The Detroit News

Nebraska Legislature Overrides Governor's Veto to Hike Gas Tax

Thirty votes were needed on May 14 to overturn Gov. Pete Ricketts veto of the six cents per gallon gas tax hike approved by the state legislature, and that's just how many Sen. Jim Smith received. South Carolina may be next.

May 18, 2015 - Omaha World Herald

Gas Tax Hike Showdown Headed to Nebraska

Strong leadership from the governor may be the most important factor in passing state gas tax increases. But what happens when the governor opposes increasing the gas tax and the legislature supports it? Nebraska is about to find out.

May 9, 2015 - AASHTO Journal

Income Tax Cut Fuels South Carolina Gas Tax Debate

The nation's third lowest gas tax will likely see a 10-cent gas tax hike—with or without Gov. Nikki Haley's signature, who insists on a larger income tax reduction than in the bill that overwhelmingly passed the House and is now in the Senate.

April 25, 2015 - WSOC

North Carolina Struggles to Prevent Deep Gas Tax Cut

The News & Observer's "road worrier" (not a typo!), Bruce Siceloff, provides ongoing coverage of the sad saga of North Carolina's gas tax, set to be adjusted downwards by statute.

March 23, 2015 - The News & Observer

Failing Infrastructure Strikes the Beltway

Driving under a structurally deficient bridge took on a whole new meaning, even for those with the Beltway, when concrete fell on a passing vehicle under a bridge awaiting repair in Prince George's County, Md. on Feb. 10. The driver was OK.

February 15, 2015 - The Washington Post

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.

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