Gas Tax

To whom it may concern,

As soon as demand dropped off with the recession, oil prices and profits plummeted from their record levels. At the height of our oil exploitation, the United Stated public began to radically shift their consumption and transportation behavior. More people took transit and in the process converted millions from the single occupancy vehicle. As the economy stabilizes, the federal government should increase gas taxes as a means to finally shift consumer patterns away from our dependence on foreign oil. This strategy would improve foreign relations, reduce the burden on the military, alleviate congestion, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and propel the green industry movement. The petroleum based economy must be replaced by an alternative, renewable energy economy. The profits from the tax measure would be used to bolster the ailing Highway Trust Fund. With this reauthorization would come an opportunity to reform the funding program to completely realign its priorities. Instead of building highways it would promote the creation of a multi-modal transportation network. These funds could transform our entire roadway network into both green streets (storm water management, permeable surfaces, urban forest, and expanded open space) and complete streets (two-way pedestrian, bike, bus, transit, and automobile streets). The monies used to create more capacity for highways should be used to build bike lanes on every street, expand sidewalks and street amenities, and provide efficient and accessible transit options. All of this would feed into a more livable, efficient, and productive built environment that would encourage social cohesion and economic competitiveness.

GUNNAR HAND, AICP