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.
Vance refuses to set red lines over bigotry at Turning Point USA’s convention
Vice President JD Vance acknowledged the controversies that dominated the Turning Point conference, but he did not define any boundaries for the conservative movement besides patriotism.
CBS News chief Bari Weiss pulls ’60 Minutes’ story, sparking outcry
CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss pulled a 60 Minutes segment on allegations of abuses at an El Salvador detention center where the Trump administration sent hundreds of Venezuelan migrants.
Lawmakers threaten Attorney General Bondi with contempt over incomplete Epstein files
The Justice Department is defending its initial release of documents related to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, saying lawyers are still going through them to ensure victims are protected.
How a power outage in Colorado caused U.S. official time be 4.8 microseconds off
Officials said the error is likely be too minute for the general public to clock it, but it could affect applications such as critical infrastructure, telecommunications and GPS signals.
Scientists say they have discovered 20 new species deep in the Pacific Ocean
Researchers retrieved reef monitoring devices that had been placed in deep coral reefs in Guam. The devices were placed up to 330 feet below the surface.
Shopping for pricy ACA health plans? Some cheaper options come with trade-offs
Without a fix from Congress, costs for many people who buy health care on the Affordable Care Act marketplace have gone up. Here's what's to know about cheaper choices — and pitfalls to be aware of.
