DeSaulnier’s per mile driving fee idea receives $750,000 in federal funding for pilot program

Washington, D.C – Today, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11) announced that $750,000 in federal funds will be awarded to the California Department of Transportation under the Federal Highway Administration’s Surface Transportation System Funding Alternative Program (STSFA). These funds were awarded to further build upon the Mileage-Based Fee Pilot Program (SB 1077) that DeSaulnier established during his time in the California State Senate. This pilot program will explore alternative funding mechanisms necessary to advance the construction and maintenance of California’s roads, bridges and transit systems. This funding was authorized in the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, which was signed into law by President Obama on December 4, 2015.

“Given the inability of the Highway Trust Fund to sustain needed roadway and bridge repair across the country, states are leading the way in identifying innovative funding alternatives. I am pleased California was well positioned to take advantage of this federal funding opportunity as a result of SB 1077.  Our state will be at the forefront of finding innovative ways to improve safety and reduce congestion for Bay Area commuters,” said Congressman Mark DeSaulnier.

The FAST Act established the Surface Transportation System Funding Alternatives Program to provide grants to states or groups of states to demonstrate user-based alternative revenue mechanisms that utilize a user fee structure to maintain the long-term solvency of the Highway Trust Fund.

Earlier this year, Congressman DeSaulnier was a keynote speaker at the Mileage-Based User Fee Alliance’s Annual Conference, where he encouraged transportation leaders to adopt similar state policies to replace the losses in gas tax revenue.


3 Comments to “DeSaulnier’s per mile driving fee idea receives $750,000 in federal funding for pilot program”

  1. Arne says:

    Another waste of federal taxpayers’ money on another flawed plan that would end up tracking your vehicle movements.

  2. ipsos Maximus says:

    This proves my point. asking a politician to solve a problem it’s like asking the corner drug dealer to donate for the local Rehab Center neither one will do it for the same reason. job security!
    so it turns out that the politicians have finally gotten us to use less gas and now they’re so hooked on the taxes that they won’t let go of the profligate spending
    hey boys and girls here’s an idea spend less!!
    pat yourself on the back give yourself a Victory lap and say that you finally finally completed the mission and retire because you make other Politicians look bad

  3. karl dietzel says:

    well people. the nov. 2016 election is right around the corner.

    just be wise, and don’t vote for the very same people and expect different results.

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