ARTICLE
It's never an easy decision to support a proposal that includes raising taxes, and not one the Oxnard Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors takes lightly. That is why Chamber staff did extensive research when we were asked for our position on the Transportation Funding Package. The proposal has something in it for everyone to either love of hate (mostly the latter). However, the condition of our local, regional and state roads leads many to set aside their hate of raising taxes and fees to get some relief for our crumbling infrastructure. The final compromise by the legislatures included: Increases the excise tax on gasoline by $0.12 per gallon, starting November 1, 2017. Increases the excise tax on diesel fuel by $0.20 per gallon, starting November 1, 2017. Increases the sales tax on diesel fuels by an additional 4% increment, starting November 1, 2017. Creates a new annual Transportation Improvement Fee, starting January 1, 2018, based on the market value of the vehicle with the fee range described below: $25 per year for vehicles with a market value of $0- $4,999; $50 per year for vehicles with a market value of $5,000 - $24,999; $100 per year for vehicles with a market value of $25,000 - $34,999; $150 per year for vehicles with a market value of $35,000 - $59,999; and, $175 per year for vehicles with a market value of $60,000 and higher Creates the Road Improvement Fee of $100 per vehicles for Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEV)s, as defined, starting in 2020 for model year 2020 and later. What would all this revenue provide? State -- $1.9 billion annually for maintenance and rehabilitation of the state highway system. Locals -- $2.4 billion annually for maintenance and rehabilitation of local streets and roads. (Oxnard would see more than $7 million of this each year.) Regions -- $577 million annually to help restore the cuts to the State Transportation Improvement Program. Transit -- $563 million annually for transit capital projects and operations. Freight -- $600 million annually for goods movement. Active Transportation -- $80 million annually, with up to $150 million possible through Caltrans efficiencies, for bicycle and pedestrian projects. California has not increased the gas tax in 23 years. Since then, California's population has grown by eight million, with millions more cars and trucks on our roads. Californians also drive more than 350 billion miles a year – more than any other state – yet road and transit investments have not kept pace with this growth. The deterioration of California's state and local streets and roads and state highway system has been widely documented. Specifically, the state highways system is facing $59 billion deferred maintenance backlog for road maintenance and repairs. The total shortfall for local streets and roads maintenance is approximately $7.3 billion annually. Our research tells us that the California Chamber of Commerce supported new revenue to repair and maintain the state's road and bridges. The Ventura County Transportation Commission has adopted a set of principles for state transportation revenue, but did not take a position on the bill. The Automobile Club of Southern California maintained an "oppose unless amended" position because they oppose the new annual charge on all vehicles and gas / diesel tax increases. The California Trucking Association had a neutral position. The Chamber is very concerned about the condition of our local streets and roadways. Goods movement in and out of our industrial and agricultural zones is a top priority. We also see this legislation as a means to accomplish the proposed rail overpass of Rice Avenue at Fifth Street, which would aid traffic in and out of the Port of Hueneme.