The Associated Press reported on Monday that Oregon Governor Kulongoski is proposing that the state legislature adopt a state mileage tax to compensate for the state transportation funding shortfalls. The proposal is part of the Governor's transportation bill for the upcoming 2009 legislative session.

"As Oregonians drive less and demand more fuel-efficient vehicles, it is increasingly important that the state find a new way, other than the gas tax, to finance our transportation system," Governor Kulongoski said.

This is one example of the type of innovative solutions I have been encouraging local and state officials to consider over the last few months. There are fundamental problems to our current system of financing transportation infrastructure across the country, and these problems will only be solved if our community leaders tap into creative alternatives.

Governor Kulongoski's proposal is based on a yearlong Road User Fee Pilot Program that the Oregon Department of Transportation launched in April 2006.