Local leaders tout Sacramento highway projects as opponents seek gas tax repeal

The Sacramento Bee ^ | October 23, 2017 | Brad Branan

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Facing a campaign to repeal the state’s new gas tax increase, Sacramento-area politicians and transportation officials gathered under a freeway underpass Monday to tout projects that are expected to be funded by the hike.

Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg, county Supervisor Phil Serna and others spoke in praise of Senate Bill 1, which has continued to generate opposition from Republicans after the Democratic-controlled Legislature approved the measure in the spring.

Caltrans officials Monday outlined more than $1 billion in projects that will be “accelerated” in the region as part of the $52 billion statewide anticipated from higher gas taxes and vehicle fees over the next 10 years. The projects include replacing pavement on 67 lane miles of Interstate 5 between Cosumnes River Boulevard in Elk Grove and the American River in Sacramento.

“They’re running scared,” said Assemblyman Travis Allen, R-Huntington Beach, who has been leading the initiative to repeal the gas tax.

Steinberg, a former state Senate leader, said he had a hard time understanding how investing in infrastructure had become a political issue. He also accused critics of spreading inaccurate information about the gas tax, including claims that the spending plan hasn’t been transparent.

Allen and other repeal backers must gather about 366,000 signatures to get the measure on the ballot. They’ve been tied up in court over the attorney general’s proposed wording of the initiative and recently won a court ruling on the dispute.

[vette6387]

“Steinberg, a former state Senate leader, said he had a hard time understanding how investing in infrastructure had become a political issue. “

1. Because you have shown yourself to be a lying POS.
2. Because the money is not restricted and can be spent on other things at the whim of the legislature. ( Mostly on illegal aliens would be my guess based on past performance).

[logician2u]

They need the higher gas tax in order to plow more $$$ into California's super-train, doncha know?

Those Dems are anti-highway all the way.

[ExTexasRedhead]

When the gas tax hits in a wsek, the people of CA will be furious! Hit htem in the wallet and see how loud they scream especially the commuters who had bridge fees hiked to obscene levels on top of this Liberal crap tax!

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Caltrans approves expediting more than $3B in road projects (10/25)

By Kim Slowey

Dive Brief:

• The California Transportation Commission has approved nearly $3.4 billion in road and bridge repair projects submitted by Caltrans, according to KRCR 7 TV. The projects are as part of the $52 billion Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 signed by Gov. Jerry Brown earlier this year.
• This round of 90 projects is included in the $30 billion "Fix-It-First" portion of the Act, which will deliver approximately $5 billion a year in additional infrastructure and transportation funding for the next 10 years. [Math, please! --TSR]
• The work includes 1,200 miles of pavement restoration, the repair or replacement of 66 bridges and 300 culverts and drainage systems, and the addition of 2,400 traffic management features that aim to reduce congestion.

Dive Insight:

Perhaps tired of waiting for money from an anemic Highway Trust Fund (HTF) or uncertain of the Trump administration's plans to implement its sweeping $1 trillion infrastructure plan, California and several other states have launched their own significant transportation spending initiatives to fix their crumbling infrastructure.

In September, Oregon approved a surface transportation spending program to improve transit in the Portland metro area. The 10-year, $5.3 billion spend is being funded by a state gas tax increase, in addition to a sales tax on vehicles and bicycles. Earlier this month, West Virginia voters authorized the state to issue enough road bonds to pay for a nearly $3 billion initiative to fund repairs and upgrades to state highways, bridges and other infrastructure.

Though some states like Oregon have moved to implement a gas tax hike to generate the funds needed for infrastructure repairs, lawmakers at all levels have been hesitant to raise gas taxes. That hesitation has left the HTF lagging with the 1992-era [Actually 1993. --TSR], 18.4-cents-per-gallon gas tax as its revenue stream.

While lawmakers have shied away from raising the gas tax, a Bloomberg survey earlier this year revealed that more than half of Americans would support an increase in the tax if it meant that roads in their state and local areas would see improvement. A separate September poll, conducted by HNTB and analyzed by Reuters, found that three-quarters of Americans would support higher taxes and tolls to fund better transportation infrastructure.

In addition to reinvigorating the HTF through gas tax hikes, legislators have also raised the possibility of charging drivers a per-mile fee or increasing sales and tire taxes.

Recommended Reading:

• KRCR 7 TV Caltrans: Nearly $3.4 billion in transportation projects to be accelerated

[kingu]

Wait, where did they put all the homeless who live there while they made their tour?

[blueplum]

so....with the push to outlaw gasoline cars in Calif by, what 2040? and the push for trains to nowhere for mass people movement, and the push for greater urbanization to enable electric cars and other ‘clean energy’ vehicles, why would anyone want to invest billions in ‘infrastructure’ for more freeways? Fix the potholes and return the excess funds to the people in the form of lower, not higher, taxes.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

It's a 'miracle': Caltrans to launch $270 million in local road projects with new state funding (10/25)

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

It would be a grave mistake to outlaw gasoline-powered cars like Britain is planning to do, at least if you want a smooth, efficient economy.

[hapnHal]

You got it right

They need the higher gas tax in order to plow more $$$ into California’s super-train, doncha know?

California super train aka the “METH” Express is a Jerry Brown boondoggle. Wish I could post pictures the screwed up building structures in Fresno.A WASTE OF MONEY

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

Caltrans: Nearly $3.4 billion in transportation projects to be accelerated (10/23)