The cost of doing nothing
PennDOT Secretary Barry Schoch frequently points out that there are costs for NOT addressing transportation funding needs. A new U.S. Treasury report says traffic congestion wastes 1.9 billion gallons of gasoline per year. Additionally, the report says, poor road conditions cost the average urban motorist an additional $400 per year in vehicle maintenance. For a news account of the report, click here.
A Primer on User Fees and Taxes
Triad Strategies recently posted an item on its blog, The Triadvocate, explaining the difference between general taxes and user fees. The following is a re-post of that blog:
Your teacher told you in grade school that it would be important to know how to use a dictionary. Now, the current Pennsylvania public policy debate on transportation funding has given you the perfect example of why she was right.
Most people say they don’t want new taxes. At the same time, people say they want better, safer roads and functional mass transit systems in urban areas. They are willing to pay a reasonable sum for using these facilities. So it’s important to know how you are paying for what you want and need and what the labels mean. Read more
TRIP and PHIA Announce PA Roads Report
A national research group, TRIP, released a new report on the state of our highways, bridges and mass transit systems in PA. Watch the report of the statewide press conferences.
AASHTO report examines freight system
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials received widespread attention last week for a report concluding that freight demands in America are reaching crisis proportions. Read more
