Mayor Char-Lie: Fix streets for a year, then a city gas tax
In his own words:
I.B.: What’s the next evolution on the transportation front in Portland?C.H.: The big picture in transportation is first we have to recommit to basic maintenance and show people that we can take care of the streets, because right now we are not.
We have to go to the community for additional money for transportation. I don't know what that's going to be — a gas tax, vehicle registration fee. We cannot even start that conversation with the broader public until they know we are being good stewards of the streets we have, that we are out there filling the potholes and fixing the streets.
Stage one is to show people really good management and good use of the dollars we have and then go out there and be the salesperson for whatever we have to do for new revenue about a year from now.
The whole thing is here.
| Posted at 8:42 AM | Permalink |
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Comments (9)
Better not suggest cutting back on bicycle projects as a way to cut costs. That makes the Baby Hipster cry.
Posted by Texas Triffid Ranch | March 5, 2013 9:34 AM
We have to go to the community for additional money for transportation. I don't know what that's going to be — a gas tax, vehicle registration fee.
What about an income tax? Say $35 per income-earning resident over 18 with income more than the poverty level.
Posted by JohnH | March 5, 2013 9:44 AM
In the Street Roots article, Hales says:
"We are starting off with a big hole in the city’s budget. There is no bag of tricks in terms of some new revenue source or extra money that we can lay our hands on."
and
"We have to go to the community for additional money for transportation"
How about terminating the 'Education' Urban Renewal Area? That should free up some funds.
http://lwvpdx.org/issues-and-advocacy/action-committee-news/testimony/2012-04-psu-ura/at_download/file
http://charliehales.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/URA-White-Paper.pdf
Posted by Portland Taxpayer | March 5, 2013 9:49 AM
When asked the question“How’s the biking community going to fare?” Charlie answered; “Just as people are going to have to be patient with the structures of this budget, people are going to have to be patient with the rebuilding of transportation. We are not going to be building a lot of new stuff while we are doubling down on maintenance. But when we are there and on a sustainable path, then we are going to continue to be a leading city where you can take transit, walk, or ride a bike safely around the city.”
Charlie still has it wrong. Sustainability starts with financial self-sustainability for all transport modes. Any sustainable path must include assessing taxes and fees on bicycling to pay for bicycle infrastructure and hiking transit fares to better reflect the costs of providing the service. Motorists should not be subsidizing either of these two transport modes.
Posted by TR | March 5, 2013 10:09 AM
Sooner or later motorists will be asked to pay for the "carbon damage" they incur if that isn't what's already happening without anyone admitting it. Individuals make for easy targets, especially when they don't have deep pockets to make large "fact-finding" political contributions.
Posted by Mr. Grumpy | March 5, 2013 11:04 AM
"We have to go to the community for additional money for transportation. I don't know what that's going to be — a gas tax, vehicle registration fee."
Since cyclists are such a vocal and visible part of the community, I'm sure they'd be happy to pony up a bicycle license, tax or registration fee, right??
Posted by jmh | March 5, 2013 11:33 AM
Earth to Charlie:
QUIT GIVING ROAD MONEY TO YOUR PET STREETCAR!
Thanks
JK
Posted by jim karlock | March 5, 2013 12:56 PM
Bet you could find 50 million a year by ending development (and laying off the planners) of the "iconic" projects and transit corridors, ending funds to the streetcar, as Mr. Karlock suggests, suspending activities such as Sunday Parkways, etc. That would fix a fair number of road miles.
Posted by umpire | March 5, 2013 1:00 PM
Individuals make for easy targets, especially when they don't have deep pockets to make large "fact-finding"
The way I see it, it's individual people who are always the ones who end up having to pay for everything. Either through taxation or it's built into the cost of whatever they buy. Business entities don't pay for these things, they pass costs along. It's always individual people who pay.
Posted by G Joubert | March 5, 2013 2:26 PM