California’s Plan to Pay for Roads
September 10, 2014
In the past, the gas tax was used to pay for roads. Those were the days. Americans drove gas-guzzling cars and trucks, driving for both fun and for commute. Then they wised up. They drove less, drove fuel efficient vehicles, and began to save money by using public transportation.
However, those money-saving tactics came at a cost. With less tax revenue from gas taxes, the nation’s roads have been underfunded. Building new roads to meet today’s traffic needs has become more difficult, as the states struggle just to keep up with repairs on existing infrastructure. Traffic has gotten worse. Potholes and cracks have increased. And, few lawmakers want to raise taxes to deal with the problem.
However, California may be paving they with their plan to pay for roads. See the full story here:
Bikers and the Highway Trust Fund
June 11, 2014
Motorcyclists may face rough road conditions in the years to come. With Congress dragging its feet on the new highway bill, the Highway Trust Fund will have to slow reimbursements to states for highway projects, as well as funding for awareness campaigns and safety measures.
How will this legislation (or lack of legislation) affect motorcyclists specifically?
Well first of all, road construction and maintenance will come to a halt in many cities. That means more potholes for bikers to avoid, and more asphalt cracks that could lead to a serious need for road repair. Local city planners are already struggling to deal with short-term maintenance as well as long-term road projects. Without funding for long-term road projects, traffic congestion is projected to rise as well.
Also at issue is the fight against motorcycle-only checkpoints. Without any revisions to the current highway bill, motorcyclists can expect to continue to be discriminated against when traveling cross-country, making touring and motorcycle events more difficult.
The Recreational Trails Program is due to expire, and without re-authorization, the RTP will lose its authority to issue grants to fund off-highway-vehicle projects and trails.
Finally, motorcycle safety programs under 23 U.S.C. § 402 and § 405 no longer would be authorized. These programs provide grants to states for the motorcycle safety training and anti-distracted driving campaigns that have proven extremely effective in reducing motorcycle deaths in the last few years.
Besides the dire effects on the motorcycle community, the entire country is expected to suffer a loss of 700,000 jobs if the U.S. House of Representatives does not act. The Senate passed its portion of the bill on May 15, and the House version is expected sometime in July.
A Future Full of Potholes?
March 13, 2014
Drivers can expect to seriously struggle with potholes in the coming years. Unless someone steps up to the plate and provides big money for long-neglected roadway maintenance, the cracks and potholes will continue to get worse. The American Trucking Associations offered to pay a higher tax on diesel fuel to help fund road repairs, however many lawmakers want to lower taxes federally and let the states find funding through tolling and local sales taxes. Read the full story here:
https://www.thetrucker.com/News/Stories/2014/2/13/Congressmendiffergreatlyonraisingfueltaxes.aspx