Surprise, surprise — and I mean that sarcastically. Despite much rhetoric, the House of Representatives has decided not to let the federal gas tax and other transportation funding laws expire at month’s end, saving a lot of angst for transit agencies across the country.
The update from Metro’s government relations staff:
Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 2887, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Surface Transportation Extension act by a voice vote. H.R. 2887 extends the current Transportation Authorization through March 30, 2012 at the FY 2011 funding levels. Also included in the bill, is the extension of the Federal Gas Tax, which was set to expire on September 30, 2011.
The Senate will now take up the bill and try to pass it so it can be sent to the President by midnight Friday when the FAA extension expires.
Categories: Policy & Funding
It’s ridiculous that something as simple as a gas tax has to be news, but welcome to life in the Tea Party’s America.
There ought to be high speed rail from here to San Francisco and beyond, and light rail, commuter trains, streetcars and/or subways at every stop along the way. Yes, even Hanford and Fresno.
Metrolink ought to be electrified and a TAP card ought to be in every Californian’s pocket.