Bush Transpo Secretary’s Biggest Disappointment: Bush
DC Velocity magazine has just released a lengthy interview with Norman Mineta, the Bush-era transportation secretary and former Democratic member of Congress.
Former U.S. DOT chief Mineta (r.), with his biggest disappointment. (Photo: Academy of Achievement)In
the interview, Mineta — who now works on infrastructure at the
consulting firm Hill & Knowlton — spoke openly about the transportation funding crisis and called for the Obama administration to reconsider its opposition to a VMT tax:
I think the "Vehicle Miles Traveled" program ought to be seriously
considered. Even if you go to a VMT, you still have some form of tax.
But the beauty of the VMT approach is that all you look at is how many
miles you travel on the highway. It captures activity regardless of
energy source.
Mineta also showed refreshing candor in describing his biggest
disappointment during five years at the Bush White House: the former
president’s staunch refusal to reform the gas tax. Mineta explained
that he planned in 2001 to pay for a $330 billion federal
transportation bill increase gas taxes by 2 cents per gallon in the
first, third and fifth years of the six-year legislation. But here’s
what happened, per Mineta:
