In this issue:
Federal Policy Update
New Report from SGA and AECOM: “WMATA Regional Benefits of Transit”
Building a Better Gas Tax, a new report from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy
New Report Examines California’s First Sustainable Communities Strategy
Call for applications: American Architectural Foundation’s 2012 Sustainable Cities Design Academy
Federal Policy Update
Appropriations – Congress passed an omnibus appropriations bill last week to finish the appropriations process for the rest of FY2012. The omnibus included the FY2012 Interior and Environment Appropriations bill and we were pleased to see the policy rider included the House Interior and Environment Appropriations bill precluding the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from funding the Smart Growth Program was not included. Additionally, the omnibus included continued funding for the EPA’s Brownfields Program. Specifically, the bill included $168.1 million for brownfield project grants, grants to states, and for the EPA to administer the program.
Tax Extenders – Both the House of Representatives and the Senate have passed a tax extenders package that would extend the payroll tax, which is set to expire on January 1st. The two chambers are working on a compromise package. Smart Growth America along with several other groups have been advocating for an extension of the transit benefit parity to be included in the tax extenders package. Unfortunately, neither the House or Senate bill include an extension of the transit benefit parity with the parking benefit. Once the tax extenders issue is resolved or if Congress cannot come to a resolution in the next couple days, Congress will adjourn for the year and is not be scheduled to meet again until mid-January.
New Report from SGA and AECOM: “WMATA Regional Benefits of Transit”
Washington, DC’s Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, which operates Metrorail and Metrobus service in the region, brings large, tangible benefits to the DC-area economy. A new report from WMATA, prepared by AECOM and Smart Growth America, details just how big these benefits are.
“WMATA Regional Benefits of Transit” (PDF) examines Metro’s impact on several aspects of the DC-area economy, including how public transit supports businesses, workers, families, visitors, and the region’s largest employer, the federal government. To learn more, visit our blog.
Building a Better Gas Tax, a new report from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy
The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy’s 50-state report reveals that state governments are losing out on over $10 billion in transportation revenue every year, contributing to an estimated $130 billion drain on the economy resulting from higher vehicle repair costs and travel time delays. The report, Building a Better Gas Tax: How to Fix One of State Government’s Least Sustainable Revenue Sources shows that the average state has not increased its gas tax rate in over a decade, and fourteen states have gone twenty years or longer without an increase. As the cost of paving roads and building bridges rises, the tax that’s designed to pay for them keeps shrinking. Read more here on ITEP’s website.
New Report Examines California’s First Sustainable Communities Strategy
The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) recently approved the first sustainable communities strategy (SCS) under Senate Bill 375, California’s groundbreaking regional planning law. A comprehensive report takes a closer look at the plan and analyzes why it didn’t achieve the GHG reductions that many hoped it would. The report also provides information on the important ways in which the plan represents a departure from business as usual, and where are the opportunities for improvement. Click here learn more and download the report.
Call for applications: American Architectural Foundation’s 2012 Sustainable Cities Design Academy
The Sustainable Cities Design Academy connects project teams and multi-disciplinary sustainable design experts through highly interactive design workshops that help project teams advance their green infrastructure and community development goals. Successful applicants will join the American Architectural Foundation for a design workshop. Applications are due December 30th. Click here for more information and to access applications.