A guest column on the Saporta Report offers a reminder of the many critical public needs that compete with transportation funding for state dollars.
"As much as the business community and many in the general public seem to be in accord that Georgia can’t wait any longer to fix transportation, it’s important to keep in mind that the economic health of the state depends on other important public investments, including quality schools and a viable health care system," according to a guest column by Alan Essig, executive director of the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute.
Essig makes the case for providing new funding for education and health care as necessary components in the overall economic health of the state, and even throws in an argument in favor of raising the state's lower-than-average gas tax. In the end, Essig's argument isn't so much that these three areas of public investment are mutually exclusive of each other, but that the state has new, fair opportunities to embark on a post-recession era of state funding.
FULL STORY: Georgia has transportation needs as well as education and healthcare
Utah Officials Want to Replace the State Gas Tax
The state auditor and the transportation chief argue that the gas tax is an unsustainable funding source caused by a projected increase in electric vehicle adoption and an increase in fuel efficiency of gas-powered vehicles.
Charting a Better Transportation Future for Washington State
The state gas tax cannot provide the funding that Washington needs for its transportation system, according to a recent opinion piece published by the Seattle Times. But state legislators can look to bold, progressive revenue options for the future.
Michigan Gov. Whitmer Proposes 45-Cent Gas Tax Hike in First Budget
Gretchen Whitmer has outdone the new Democratic governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, who proposed a 20 cents tax hike. Like Walz's budget, gas tax revenue would replace some general funds directed to road spending, thus benefiting other state programs.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service