Infrastructure investors are looking beyond the U.S. for projects to fund and the proposal to increase the gasoline tax by 15 cents to pay for transportation projects in the U.S. is possibly too timid. Read more on these stories in Infrastructure in the News.
National News
Bloomberg: Deficit-Battle Gains Demand Spreading the Pain
The proposal to increase the gasoline tax by 15 cents to pay for transportation projects probably is too timid. A much bigger hike, with most of the revenue devoted to an infrastructure bank and some to deficit reduction, would make for better energy, economic and investment policy.
New York Times: Infrastructure Investors Look Beyond U.S.
Rich infrastructure investors in mostly funds that raised billions to invest in roads, natural gas pipelines and ports globally and give a twofold reason for looking outside the United States. Projects in other countries have become more abundant as governments seek to privatize state entities and more attractive because they often involve less politics and face fewer delays.
National Journal: Fuel Tax, Anyone?
Last week, the chairmen of President Obama's bipartisan debt commission proposed a 15-cent per-gallon gas tax hike to fully fund highway infrastructure. A few days before the draft debt commission outline was released, Sens. Tom Carper, D-Del., and George Voinovich, R-Ohio, proposed a 25-cent-per-gallon gas tax increase.
State News
Washington Post: States won't be able to reroute high-speed funding
The Obama administration plans to reallocate money designated for high-speed rail if the states granted the funds reject them.
AltTransport: Rally For High Speed Rail In Wisconsin Today. Show Your Support.
Scott Walker, the Governor-elect in Wisconsin, has been the poster child of the anti-high speed rail movement. Since heÕs been elected, heÕs made numerous attempts to scuttle the rail line that would link Madison and Milwaukee.
St. Petersburg Times: High-speed rail project is still on track, despite disappointing transit votes
Planning remains in motion for a high-speed train to Orlando, despite uncertainty the election brings about funding for transportation projects. Two mayors urged the state's fledgling rail commission Monday to hang in there. And railway companies are raring to go on the project, said a staff member fresh from an industry forum. But at times during the meeting of the Florida Statewide Passenger Rail Commission, there were reminders recession-weary taxpayers are not on board.
WWLP: Water and sewer concerns raised
The state's Water Infrastructure Finance Commission is creating a long range water infrastructure finance plan.