Environews, Minis

Environews: Herbert proposes gas taxes for transit

By Amy Brunvand

Utah Governor Gary Herbert’s FY 2019 Budget Recommendation calls for “flexibility to use Transportation Investment Funds (TIF) for all modes of transportation.” This would represent a major breakthrough for sustainability in Utah.

Right now the Utah Code specifies that TIF money can only be used to pay for “maintenance, construction, reconstruction or renovation to state and federal highways”—that is to say, to make air quality and traffic congestion worse. By contrast, the Governor’s budget recognizes the connection between transportation, land use, and air quality.

One of four key objectives in the document is “Affordable, Thriving Communities” where infrastructure allows people “to live in communities with access to ample opportunities for housing, jobs, education, recreation, and shopping within a short walk, drive, transit trip, or bike ride. “ This sounds like a great vision for Utah’s future.

This article was originally published on February 12, 2018.