Thread: California Legislature votes to raise gas taxes for road repairs and transit

It would seem gas tax and vehicle permits would be the best way to raise monies to build roads. If people are going to use them let them pay for it.

It's actually a smart time to do it while gas prices are low.

Governor Brown Signs Landmark Transportation Funding Package

By Office of the Governor -
April 28, 2017, 12:41:48 PM

SACRAMENTO April 28, 2017 – Moving to fill potholes, smooth thousands of miles of pavement, repair bridges and strengthen public transportation, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today signed a package of legislation to improve transportation and create jobs in communities across California.

“Safe and smooth roads make California a better place to live and strengthen our economy,” said Governor Brown. “This legislation will put thousands of people to work.”

“While Washington can barely get its act together, in California we stepped up to address one of the most pressing concerns facing our residents. This plan is fiscally responsible and will improve the quality of life for all Californians while creating jobs. Our roads will be safer and our cities and towns will be better connected to each other – finally bringing our transportation infrastructure into the 21st century,” said Senate President pro Tempore Kevin de León.

“SB 1 will make our roads better and safer and help make commutes shorter. Supporting SB 1 required a combination of common sense, political courage, and concern for the Californians who drive on our roads and bridges. Now we owe it to the people of California to perform the oversight and do the due diligence that will ensure the transportation projects SB 1 funds are completed in the timely and efficient manner our constituents deserve,” said Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon.

“Today is the culmination of over two years of work that I’ve devoted to SB 1. It was never destined to be an easy piece of legislation but the work resulted in the first major investment in California’s transportation infrastructure in 23 years,” said Senator Jim Beall.

“For too long we have neglected our state and local transportation needs. Our roads are falling apart and our bridges are in desperate need of repair. After two years of visiting every area of the state, I have heard people’s concerns about commuting to work, running errands or just getting their kids to soccer practice.

Transportation is integral to our quality of life and SB 1 is the comprehensive funding package that will help repair our state highways and local streets and roads, while also expanding our travel options with funding for public transit. With Governor Brown’s signature on SB 1 we can finally improve California’s transportation infrastructure,” said Assemblymember Jim Frazier.

SB 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, co-authored by Senator Jim Beall (D-San Jose) and Assemblymember Jim L. Frazier Jr. (D-Discovery Bay), is backed by a broad coalition of supporters and invests $52.4 billion over the next decade to fix roads, freeways and bridges in communities across California and put more dollars toward transit and safety.

State and legislative leaders joined city and county officials and local and statewide business, labor and transportation leaders in Riverside, Concord, Fresno, Bakersfield, San Diego, Los Angeles and Sacramento to build support for the landmark transportation investment package and Governor Brown testified at Senate and Assembly hearings on the legislation.

“In contrast to the gridlock in Washington D.C., California has taken responsibility to address its crumbling infrastructure. SB 1 will not only repair our highways and roads, but will also address the over 500 bridges in California currently requiring major repair, including the nearly 400 that are considered structurally deficient. This will drive our economy, create jobs, while decreasing traffic delays and providing for a smoother commute.

Governor Brown, Assembly Speaker Rendon, Senate Pro Tem De León and the vast majority of Legislators have shown leadership in improving the quality of life for all residents,” said State Building and Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO President Robbie Hunter.

“Fixing our roads and improving transportation in the state is critical to California’s economy and our job climate. SB 1 enhances the long standing user pay program that provides the long term funding source necessary to keep people and goods moving in our state,” said California Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Allan Zaremberg.

“California cities appreciate the Governor’s signature on SB 1 today. Now our cities can get to work repairing and maintaining our streets and roads.

These investments will also reduce car repair bills for our residents and improve our transportation system that is so vital to our economy and quality of life,” said League of California Cities President JoAnne Mounce.

“This landmark legislation offers counties real hope to catch up on a significant backlog of deferred maintenance. From my home county of Alameda to rural counties like Alpine, we’re finally going to be able to start fixing potholes, improving pavement and making sure our bridges are structurally sound. We thank Governor Brown, Senators De León and Beall, Speaker Rendon and Assemblyman Frazier for their leadership on this bill,” said California State Association of Counties President Keith Carson.

“SB 1 is so much more than just a roads bill. The bill also provides an historic level of stable and permanent funding for public transit and active transportation projects, assuring California can meet its mobility goals while achieving important environmental objectives,” said California State Transportation Agency Secretary Brian Kelly.

“This bill clearly demonstrates California’s commitment to clean, sustainable transportation, and the role that public transit plays in that vision. While California’s transportation infrastructure needs are many, this proposal acknowledges the importance of public transit in achieving the 21st century transportation network that Californians need and deserve. We expect these new investments to lead to cleaner transit vehicle fleets, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants, as Californians will be offered more attractive mobility options,” said California Transit Association Executive Committee Chair Michael Wiley.

“The benefits of SB 1 go well beyond desperately needed repairs for our streets and roads by funding important sustainable improvements to our transportation system for walking and cycling as well — good for our health, our environment, and our economy,” said Transportation California Executive Director Roger Dickinson.

“This legislation was a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in the future of California’s quality of life and economic growth. SB 1 creates a responsible and dedicated source of revenue for decades to come by including voter-approved constitutional protections. We thank Governor Brown and the Legislature for taking this issue head-on and approving transformational legislation that will create hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs, increase safety and improve commerce,” said California Alliance For Jobs Executive Director Michael Quigley.

The legislative package will cost most drivers less than $10 a month and includes strict accountability provisions to ensure the funds can only be spent on transportation. The new funding will allow Caltrans to make major repairs to California’s transportation infrastructure including 17,000 miles of pavement, 500 bridges and 55,000 culverts over the next ten years. The package will also fund huge investments in repairing local streets and roads. The package also provides historic levels of public transportation funding — roughly double what was provided by Proposition 1B in 2006.

The following funds will be split equally between state and local investments over a ten-year horizon:

Fix Local Streets and Transportation Infrastructure (50 percent):

• $15 billion in “Fix-It-First” local road repairs, including fixing potholes
• $7.5 billion to improve local public transportation
• $2 billion to support local “self-help” communities that are making their own investments in transportation improvements
• $1 billion to improve infrastructure that promotes walking and bicycling—double the existing funding levels
• $825 million for the State Transportation Improvement Program local contribution
• $250 million in local transportation planning grants.

Fix State Highways and Transportation Infrastructure (50 percent):

• $15 billion in “Fix-it-First” highway repairs, including smoother pavement
• $4 billion in bridge and culvert repairs
• $3 billion to improve trade corridors
• $2.5 billion to reduce congestion on major commute corridors
• $1.4 billion in other transportation investments, including $275 million for highway and intercity-transit improvements.

Ensure Taxpayer Dollars Are Spent Properly with Strong Accountability Measures:

• Constitutional amendment, SCA 5 for voter approval on the June 2018 ballot, to prohibit spending the funds on anything but transportation
• Inspector General to ensure Caltrans and any entities receiving state transportation funds spend taxpayer dollars efficiently, effectively and in compliance with state and federal requirements
• Provision that empowers the California Transportation Commission to hold state and local government accountable for making the transportation improvements they commit to delivering
• Authorization for the California Transportation Commission to review and allocate Caltrans funding and staffing for highway maintenance to ensure those levels are reasonable and responsible
• Authorization for Caltrans to complete earlier mitigation of environmental impacts from construction, a policy that will reduce costs and delays while protecting natural resources.

Guided by the principles set forth by President Ronald Reagan when he signed bipartisan legislation to increase the federal gas tax in 1982, today’s transportation investment package is funded – over a ten-year horizon – by everyone who uses our roads and highways, in the following ways:

• $7.3 billion by increasing diesel excise tax 20 cents on November 1, 2017
• $3.5 billion by increasing diesel sales tax to 5.75 percent on November 1, 2017
• $24.4 billion by increasing gasoline excise tax 12 cents on November 1, 2017
• $16.3 billion from an annual transportation improvement fee based on a vehicle’s value starting January 1, 2018
• $200 million from an annual $100 Zero Emission Vehicle fee starting July 1, 2020
• $706 million in General Fund loan repayments.

The Governor has also signed the following bills:

• SB 131 by the Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review – State public employment: memorandum of understanding: approval
• SB 132 by the Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review – Budget Act of 2016
• SB 496 by Senator Anthony Cannella (R-Ceres) – Indemnity: design professionals

For full text of the bills, visit: http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov

https://yubanet.com/california/gover...nding-package/

Gas-tax repeal? California lawmaker launches a ballot initiative

Trump Plans to Shift Infrastructure Funding to Cities, States and Business

BRIEF
CA allocates $328M to fund 88 transportation projects

By Kim Slowey
• May 24, 2017

Dive Brief:

• The California Transportation Commission has given the green light to a $328 million program of state infrastructure improvements, according to Equipment World.
• The list of 88 projects includes nearly $36 million for biking and pedestrian initiatives and $234 million for "fix-it-first" highway repairs and upgrades. Also part of the spending program are two rail projects, capital improvements along the state highway system and traffic congestion programs.
• State officials said more transportation spending programs like this are on the horizon because of California Gov. Jerry Brown's 10-year, $52 billion transportation funding bill.

Dive Insight:

In April, California legislators approved a 12-cent-per-gallon increase to the state gas tax and additional vehicle registration fees to pay for the massive infrastructure spending initiative.

The state's backlog of highway and bridge repairs total about $130 billion. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, approximately 50% of the state's roads need improvements.

Earlier this month, Indiana officials announced that they were also raising the state's gas tax by 10 cents per gallon to help pay for a seven-year, $5 billion infrastructure program. The increase will cost residents an average of $63 a year, but lawmakers said public feedback indicates that taxpayers are willing to pay slightly more for gas in exchange for better roads.

While some states are looking to taxpayers to fund infrastructure programs, Utah transportation officials announced this week that they were launching a $1 billion transportation program, courtesy of the state legislature. State lawmakers will borrow the money over a four-year period, and Utah Transportation Commission officials said the windfall will allow them to complete a handful of major projects in a shorter timeframe.

Bonds are also a way to finance infrastructure projects, and Maine officials cleared a major hurdle this month in advance of a bond issue that will pay for this summer's bridge and road work. Maine Gov. Paul LePage disagreed with the process that the state treasurer used to select the bonding agent, arguing that the requirements cut out many Maine-based businesses. It looked like, in protest, LePage would drag his feet on setting a bond issue amount for the June sale, which would have jeopardized about $600 million in projects scheduled for this summer. However, the governor and Hayes worked out a compromise, no doubt under pressure from state infrastructure contractors who depend on seasonal work to survive the slow winter months.

http://www.constructiondive.com/news...ojects/443430/

Originally Posted by Judy

It's actually a smart time to do it while gas prices are low.

Once the tax is there it will be there to stay and gas prices will eventually go back up.

In April, California legislators approved a 12-cent-per-gallon increase to the state gas tax and additional vehicle registration fees to pay for the massive infrastructure spending initiative.

The state's backlog of highway and bridge repairs total about $130 billion. According to the American Society of Civil Engineers, approximately 50% of the state's roads need improvements.

The California Transportation Commission has given the green light to a $328 million program of state infrastructure improvements, according to Equipment World.
The list of 88 projects includes nearly $36 million for biking and pedestrian initiatives and $234 million for "fix-it-first" highway repairs and upgrades. Also part of the spending program are two rail projects, capital improvements along the state highway system and traffic congestion programs.
State officials said more transportation spending programs like this are on the horizon because of California Gov. Jerry Brown's 10-year, $52 billion transportation funding bill.

Sounds like a great program, that's going to do a lot of great things for California. Most Americans don't mind paying taxes to fund projects and improvements, so long as they are projects that are needed, beneficial or ameliorating. I don't know from the statement in bold if at the end of 10 years the 12 cents comes off, but that's what it sounds like. This is actually the old-fashioned way of financing and paying for infrastructure improvements. Pay as you go. Very Republican, that's how we paid for the first inter-continental railroad using rail bonds, and how states have paid for a lot of things through the years including education facility improvements, school bonds.

It's exciting to me to see states taking the lead like this to fix their states. This is how it's supposed to work.

GO STATES!!!

These types of activities are encouraging to me, and while I can't stand Jerry Brown and his coddling of illegal aliens, I do applaud this gas tax that appears to be a 10 year program to fix their roads, bridges, build some more rail systems and many other transportation related projects. Californians need to remember how much Americans like me and there are millions and millions of US have always looked to California as one of our nation's most special states, a Paradise of sorts, filled with so many beautiful aspects and achievements from it's extraordinary natural beauty to its beautiful people in Hollywood to its beach parties, surfers and relaxed people who were always coming up with a new idea about something. I realize it's not the same today as when I was growing up but it's nice to still have moments like this when you can at least think so, even if only for awhile, whether true or not. Maybe that "I wish it were so" is the essence of "California Dreamin'".

Ted Gaines column: California taxpayers gouged at the pump




Here are a few facts that should give pause to anyone supporting California's new gas tax: California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) is overstaffed by 3,500 people, wasting $500 million every year that could be going to roads; California diverts a billion dollars in "weight fees" into the general fund annually, which should also be paying for roads; Californians already pay some of the highest gas taxes in the country but have some of the worst roads, which points to an efficiency problem.

It's plain to see that the fake funding crisis used to push the new taxes through the legislature was really a crisis of political priorities. The money is there — without the new taxes — to pay for modern, smooth roadways up and down the state.

Still, the legislature has a default position, and that's to pickpocket taxpayers and businesses at every turn. Hence, the new tax to backfill the waste and diversions that should be paying for roads right now.

Gov. Jerry Brown, oblivious to the actual effect the bill will have on businesses and families, tried to deflect criticisms of the new tax's cost by noting that it will set back the average family about $10 a month.

Are my rural constituents, who drive 45 minutes to get to the grocery store, supposed to be happy because of that average? Are my suburban commuters putting 80 miles a day on their cars supposed to be happy with that average? It will be meaningless to them, as they will pay hundreds of dollars more a year in gas taxes and registration fees to pay for roads that their tax dollars already could have and should have paid for.

Because of this government decision to raise gas taxes $0.12 a gallon, diesel $0.20, and add an additional registration fee of $25-$175 on each vehicle (and that is just a partial list of the new charges), everyone in the state can expect to pay more for everything they buy, from school clothes to groceries to laptops. Not because the items are better, but because California legislators are attaching a premium to everything with their relentless search for tax dollars.

These new taxes and fees aren't one-time charges. They go on forever under the current bill, and will start increasing, indefinitely, starting in 2020.

I want first-class infrastructure for our state and am willing to pay for it, but not twice. That's what this cynical bill does to our residents. It forces them to pay a second time for roads that their tax dollars already could have built. It's backfilling an imaginary shortfall to cover up government failure.

A state that can afford to waste tens of billions of dollars on the colossally expensive and worthless High Speed Rail is not a state starving for money. To California's majority party, though, every problem looks like a deficit and every solution looks like a tax. It's killing the middle and lower classes in the state.

Our state has the 48th-worst tax climate already, but this gas tax proves, yet again, that legislators can't leave unwell enough alone.

http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/new...t-the-pump/Sen. Ted Gaines represents the 1st Senate District, which includes all or parts of Alpine, El Dorado, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sacramento, Shasta, Sierra and Siskiyou counties.

JUNE 7, 2017

N.J. incumbents who supported unpopular gas tax hike win

Many New Jersey residents were upset when the state gas tax shot up by 23 cents a gallon last year to replenish the Transportation Trust Fund. But they didn't take it out on lawmakers. (AP file photo)

Many New Jersey residents were upset when the state gas tax shot up by 23 cents a gallon last year to replenish the Transportation Trust Fund. But they didn't take it out on the lawmakers who approved that increase in Tuesday's primary election.

All the state legislators who voted for the tax increase won, said Monmouth University political analyst Patrick Murray.

"On the Republican side — which is where there was some concern that it could hurt some incumbents there who had supported it — the turnout was so low, that there just wasn't much enthusiasm about voting about anything," he said.

Some challengers focused on the gas tax hike, Montclair State political science professor Brigid Harrison said, but that didn't resonate with voters.

"What we see is that party lines matter," she said. "So all of the individuals who voted for the gas tax received the party endorsement in the various districts, and that was the determining factor in the election."

If gas prices were higher, Fairleigh Dickinson political science professor Peter Woolley said the tax hike might have been a more potent issue.

"The price of gas is not particularly high now," Woolley said Wednesday. "People don't go the pump and curse the way they did a few years ago. So, really, the gas tax has not had the same kind of impact it might have if prices were high."

http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/l...-tax-hike-win/