The new Secretary of the US Department of Transportation (DOT), Ray LaHood (R-Peoria, Ill.), appearing yesterday before the Senate transportation committee proposed tolling new lanes of highway rather than raising fuel taxes. The Truth About Cars, in its report on the Secretary's appearance, indicated that he was met with opposition from both sides of the aisle. LaHood also indicated that he wanted to use funds raised from motorists to subsidize mass transit.
Now that the US auto industry has lost much of its lobbying mojo there is a good chance tolls and taxes on all transportation will increase. Stay tuned.
