Recent Streetsblog USA posts about Economics

Nevada Becomes Newest Battleground in Mileage Tax Debate

By Elana Schor | Apr 9, 2010 | 3 Comments

Nevada’s state DOT is in the early stages of a years-long study aimed at mapping a possible transition from the gas tax to a vehicle miles traveled (VMT) fee, a shift urged last year by a congressionally chartered panel on infrastructure financing and encouraged by Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR). In-vehicle GPS units, such as the […]

New Poll: 27% of Public Would Cut Transit Aid, Versus 12% for Highways

By Elana Schor | Apr 8, 2010 | 6 Comments

(Graphic: Annie Lowrey) The latest weekly edition of the Economist/YouGov poll asks where, if a balanced federal budget were the goal, the American public would rather see cuts to federal spending. As the chart above shows, transit was given the theoretical axe by 27 percent of respondents, tied with agriculture and housing but far behind […]

Federal Energy Forecast: Gas Nearing $3/Gallon, Fuel Consumption Up

By Elana Schor | Apr 8, 2010 | 6 Comments

Average gas prices are expected to hit $2.92 during this summer’s peak driving season, with fossil-fuel consumption rising overall as the economy begins to recover from a recession that limited U.S. emissions growth, according to a forecast released this week by the federal Energy Information Administration (EIA). (Photo: Pop and Politics) The EIA’s latest short-term […]

Can L.A. Put the “10” in Its “30/10” Transit Plan?

By Elana Schor | Apr 7, 2010 | No Comments

As Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa continues to push for federal help with expediting his "30/10" transit expansion plan, winning support from California’s Democratic senators, one big question remains unanswered: Can the city actually get all of its 13 proposed projects done within a decade, even if Washington steps in? Over at Streetsblog LA, Damien […]

Pennsylvania’s Bid to Toll I-80 Rejected by Feds

By Elana Schor | Apr 6, 2010 | 5 Comments

Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell (D) has scheduled a press conference this afternoon to discuss his pitch for new tolls on Interstate 80, but local media reports are already suggesting that his news is not good: the federal government has rejected the state’s bid to toll the highway, leaving its transportation budget short at least $450 […]

8 Senate Dems Join Industry in a Gas-Tax Warning to Climate Bill’s Authors

By Elana Schor | Apr 5, 2010 | 5 Comments

As Sens. John Kerry (D-MA), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) prepare to unveil a new climate change measure that includes a tax on motor fuels, eight of their colleagues are urging the trio not to forget local transportation planning — and warning that any new gas tax should be used to help pay […]

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