Dear Highway User,

Last week, the Governor of Virginia, Timothy Kaine (D), committed to calling a special session of the state legislature to deal with transportation funding issues. This is the second time in just 2 years that such a session has been called in Virginia to confront looming shortfalls in highway construction funding. Under Virginia law, maintenance takes priority over new construction so if there are shortfalls in funds to get roads fixed, money is diverted from building new roads.

Tax increases being discussed to cover the $400 million shortfall in 2009 are in sales, gas and car title tax. Republicans in the Virginia House of Delegates are opposed to any tax increases and a funding agreement is improbable. Governor Kaine is calling the special session to highlight the problem and as he said in a recent interview "We're either going to solve this problem or Virginians are going to know who stood in the way of a solution.”

If the June legislative session ends in a stalemate, it leaves Virginia lawmakers with the same issue in 2009. The transportation funding crisis played a large role in the outcome of the elections 2 years ago when legislators were unable to work through an impasse to address the problem.

More and more states are facing the same crisis as Nevada. Elected officials are finding themselves confronted with difficult and often unpopular decisions. And the problems only get bigger and bigger with every delay. Putting this problem off does not make it go away.

Sincerely,
Nevada Highway Users Coalition

Click here to read more about Virginia’s challenge.

We are pleased to announce our newest NHUC board member, Arjun Dhingra. In the coming issues, we will be featuring a new board member with their biography and photo, giving readers even more information on the depth and breadth of the seasoned professionals who support the Nevada Highway Users Coalition.

Arjun Dhingra, a Northern Nevada resident for 25 years, graduated from the University of Nevada in 2002 with a Marketing degree. Currently, he serves Flagstar Bank as the Sales and Business Development manager for the Reno and Las Vegas Markets. He has worked in this industry since graduating from the University and remains involved with the campus, sitting as the President of the Sigma Nu Fraternity Housing Corporation. Within the community, he donates his time to youth programs. Participating in career outreach for local high-schools, coaching youth football, and also teaching and training in TaeKwon-Do for 21 years. He recently had the honor of representing his country on Team USA in the TaeKwon-Do World Championships in England, where he captured the lone gold medal amongst the adult team.

Arjun has also become instrumental in some of the grassroots efforts being implemented by the Nevada Highway Users Coalition, one of which is organizing a “Young NHUCers” board consisting of 20-30 something young adults, who are professionals in the Truckee Meadows. Many of these members have young families of their own, and a great concern and interest in solving the transportation issues that will soon be left for THEIR children to deal with.

No “Gas Tax Holiday” for Nevada
A little known provision in Nevada law (NRS 365.185) would allow the state to assess an additional tax on gas sold in this state if the federal gas tax is reduced or discontinued. According to this statue, the state must impose a tax equal to the amount the federal tax is reduced. Therefore, the proposal for a “tax holiday” would have no impact on the price of gas in Nevada. The intent of the law is to protect those projects that rely on federal funding.
http://www.lvrj.com/news/18397894.html

Bush Says Lifting Gas Tax Might Be an Option
President Bush indicated yesterday that he may be open to a lifting the 18.4-cent-per-gallon federal gasoline tax over the summer, in order to ease pain at the pump at time of record-high fuel prices. And Nevada Senator Harry Reid is calling for a package of ideas aimed at tackling gas prices.
http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=cqmidday-000002713208

Democrats Divided Over Gas Tax Break
Hillary Clinton, joined John McCain, in supporting the federal gas tax suspension from Memorial to Labor Day. Barak Obama opposes the “gas tax holiday” stating that the average motorist would not benefit significantly from the reduction. Senator Clinton has suggested making up the difference in revenue (estimated to be $10 billion) by imposing a "windfall profits tax" on oil companies.
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hLPqTxd4Fe7e5EymHU-kTUgweRDQD90AUG180

Iowa Governor Signs Road Funding Bill
Iowa Governor Chet Culver signed a bill last week that provides for a gradual increase in drivers license and registration fees on most new vehicles to address a large portion of the state’s projected $200 million annual highway funding shortfall. The higher registration fees would begin with the 2010 model year, meaning the higher fees apply only to new vehicles that are purchased, and would raise $160 million per year by 2013.
http://www.messengernews.net/page/content.detail/id/505183.html?nav=5087

EDITORIAL: Idaho gets an “F” in highway funding
Idaho Public Television gave the state an “F” in highway funding in a recent editorial. There is currently a $264.5 million backlog of maintenance and construction, which could grow to more than $400 million by the time the Legislature, reconvenes next January. Transportation funding efforts ranked worse than Education and Prisons which were both awarded “D’s”.
http://www.idahoptv.org/productions/tappedout/showTOEditorial.cfm?StoryId=33584

I-70 toll bill withdrawn in Colorado Senate
A Colorado state lawmaker who sponsored a bill to toll a stretch of Interstate 70 has withdrawn the measure because it lacked votes. Trucking officials say the withdrawal of the bill is a victory for taxpayers who already pay their share to maintain the interstate system. Senate Minority Leader Andy McElhany (R), sponsor of SB213, moved to lay the bill over until May 26 – Memorial Day – well after the Senate adjourns May 7. McElhany said he picked Memorial Day because he wants drivers stuck in holiday traffic to think about his bill. “When you’re sitting in that traffic jam (on the holiday weekend), just think of the $5 you could have paid to be out of it,” McElhany jokingly told his Senate colleagues.
http://www.landlinemag.com/todays_news/Daily/2008/Apr08/042108/042508-04.htm

DOT fears $1 billion shortfall
The Georgia Department of Transportation may be in a $1 billion hole to pay for projects it has promised in the near future, DOT officials said Wednesday, just after Gov. Sonny Perdue said he has authorized calling in an outside company for an audit of DOT finances.

The implications of the shortfall are bad enough for projects already earmarked for funding, which could be cut or postponed. But the picture is even grimmer for the thousands of projects on department books for future funding.
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/news/stories/2008/04/10/dot0410.html

Developers negotiate amount of road fee increases
The Washoe County RTC's Regional Road Impact Fee Technical Advisory Committee has recommended fees be raised about 85 percent from current levels, from $3,186 per single family home to $5,894, over five years at an increase of $541.50 per year. The RTC is expected to decide the issue May 16 at their next regularly scheduled meeting.
http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008804270334

All I-15 drivers will feel pain during road
widening project
There was a groundbreaking ceremony on April 24 for a project that will widen I-15 from 6 to 10 lanes from the Spaghetti Bowl to Lake Mead Boulevard and from 4 and 5 lanes to 8 lanes from Lake Mead to Craig Road. This project is expected to be completed in about 3 years which is far less than construction projects such as the U.S. 95 north widening, which took a decade to complete.
http://www.lvrj.com/news/18168824.html

Deteriorating urban pavement conditions cost the average U.S. driver more than $400 annually.

Source: TRIP, Keep Both Hands on the Wheel

If you would like to learn more about NHUC's educational efforts or to arrange for a representative to speak to your group or organization, please email us: contact@fixnvroads.com