Missoula News

Good job, Courtney.
This is a key issue which I've been pressing since the Carter Administration. The age of the private, internal combustion automobile was over before it began, yet something like 25% of the economy is devoted to cars, roads, bridges, tires, oil, etc. Most economists put the "full cost price" of gasoline/diesel at between $10-$25/gallon, and most other countries add at least $5/gallon tax. In the '70's, this would have been $1/gallon - enough, as the Economist often pointed out, to balance the federal budget.
Unfortunately, even what little fuel taxes we have are devoted to building more roads! - not public transportation, renewable energy, etc.
Obama may have made "stunning progress" in shifting federal resources in a "green" direction, but it's about 5% of what is really needed, and even that is being steadily whittled down by the oil/highway/car lobbies.
This should be front-page news everywhere. I'm glad New West at least recognizes it.
Paul Stephens, Montana Green Bulletin

Roads are the most efficient form of public transportation paid for mostly by the users. One lane mile of road is cheaper and more efficient than any other form of public transportation. Any way you want to cut it. Cost per passenger mile. Btu per passenger mile etc.
Roads are available for its users 24/7 who can choose to go where they want, when they want without relying on Government Schedules or waiting in the rain and snow for the Bus or train to come.

Will,

Washington and Oregon are in the report -- but not in this summary -- I should have clarified by saying Intermountain West -- which is what I was focusing on here and what we focus on at NewWest.Net. Note that I did not include California or Arizona either. Occasionally, we cover Oregon and Washington, but our core coverage area is the Rocky Mountain West.

Google up Urban Transit Myths: Reason Foundation
Google up The greatest Invention: American Dream Coalition