Higgins turns up heat in his call to have Buffalo Skyway removed
The U.S. congressman is filing a notice of hazardous condition to state officials claiming bridge the poses a threat to motorists, pedestrians, and the environment. Author: Dave McKinley Updated: 8:07 PM EDT May 27, 2021
BUFFALO, N.Y. U.S. Rep Brian Higgins (D-South Buffalo) upped the ante in his longtime call for the removal of Buffalo s Skyway by announcing that he would be putting state officials on notice of what he contends are deficiencies which threaten the safety of motorists, pedestrians, and the environment. We are filing a notice of hazardous condition to the New York State Attorney General, the New York State Commissioner of the Department of Transportation(DOT) and to the New York State Commissioner of Environmental conservation, said Higgins, who was joined by New York State Senator Tim Kennedy at a Thursday morning news conference.
May 24, 2021 6:15 PM, EDT
In California, Gas Taxes Are Rising While Repairs Are Lagging
Rush-hour traffic eastbound on the 91 freeway heading into the Inland Empire in Corona. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times via Tribune Content Agency)
Four years after the California Legislature boosted the gas tax in order to fix the state’s crumbling roads and bridges, California has spent billions and made some progress in repairs, but officials now say the funding is sufficient to complete less than half of the work needed.
The gas tax has been a political hot potato since it was passed in 2017, resulting in the recall of a Democratic state senator who voted for the legislation and an unsuccessful attempt by Republicans in 2018 to ask voters to repeal the higher charges.
Four years after the Legislature boosted the gas tax in order to fix California s crumbling roads and bridges, the state has spent billions and made some progress in repairs, but officials now say the funding is sufficient only to complete less than half of the work needed.
The gas tax has been a political hot potato since it was passed in 2017, resulting in the recall of a Democratic state senator who voted for the legislation and an unsuccessful attempt by Republicans in 2018 to ask voters to repeal the higher charges.
Now, with the gas tax set to increase again July 1, the campaign to fix roads and bridges is again stirring contention, drawing criticism from some lawmakers who say repairs have been too slow and the effort has lagged behind other states in maintaining and improving transportation systems.