Alabama House Approves Gas Tax Increase
The Alabama House of Representatives on Friday approved legislation to increase the state gas tax by 10 cents per gallon. The tax increase would be phased in over three years. After that, it would be adjusted to keep up with construction costs up to a penny every two years.
Under the proposal, electric and hybrid vehicle owners would pay additional annual fees — $200 on electric cars and $100 for plug-in hybrids. According to the Montgomery Advertiser, those could be adjusted depending on the presence of federal taxes.
Revenue from the tax increase would go toward rebuilding the state’s roads and bridges. Gov. Kay Ivey has pushed the infrastructure plan as an initiative that’s been long overdue. Proponents have argued the state’s deteriorating infrastructure is a hindrance to economic development. Some of those opposed want to be sure the state is spending the funds wisely.
A companion oversight bill adopted by the House requires state Department of Transportation projects to be ranked on an objective criteria, according to the Montgomery Advertiser.
This isn’t the Louvre’s first high-profile heist. Here’s a history of earlier thefts
Masked thieves stole priceless jewels from the Louvre on Sunday morning. The Paris museum has suffered a string of successful art heists, dating back to the theft of the Mona Lisa in 1911.
Trump’s fake video featured ‘Danger Zone.’ Musician Kenny Loggins wants it scrubbed
The "Danger Zone" singer is asking for his performance to be deleted from a fake "King Trump" video that the president posted to Truth Social on Saturday.
Cannabis works better than opioids for back pain, in two European studies
Millions of Americans use weed to treat chronic pain, but there's little high quality research on whether it works. New findings suggest it can be effective for low back pain, on par with opioids.
As deadline for Trump’s colleges compact looms, schools signal dissent
Of the original nine schools that received the Trump administration's Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education, the majority have indicated they are not planning on signing.
Can collagen supplements improve your skin? Here’s what the research shows
With age comes wisdom. And wrinkles. And joint pain. In wellness circles, the buzz is that collagen supplements can help with all these concerns. But are these claims something you should swallow?
Centrist Rodrigo Paz wins Bolivia’s presidential runoff, topping right-wing rival
Centrist senator Rodrigo Paz won Bolivia's presidency with 54% of the vote, ending 20 years of rule by the Movement Toward Socialism party amid economic turmoil.