Facing a steady drop in fuel‑tax revenues as electric vehicles and telecommuting reshape travel patterns, several West Coast states are weighing new ways to fund road maintenance and infrastructure projects. Lawmakers in California, Oregon and Washington are reviewing proposals that range from mileage‑based user fees to modest vehicle‑registration surcharges and even digital‑payment platforms that track road usage in real time. Advocates argue that a modernized system could distribute costs more equitably among drivers, while critics warn about privacy concerns and the administrative burden of rolling out new technology. The debate highlights a broader national conversation about how to sustain aging transportation networks in an era of rapidly changing mobility habits.
West Coast States Explore Alternatives for Declining Gas Tax GovTech
