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.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is alerting consumers of a recall involving certain Britax child restraints that could fail to properly secure young passengers in the event of a vehicle crash.

"It is extremely important that parents and caregivers are aware of the recall and take action to get their child restraints repaired," said NHTSA Acting Administrator David Kelly.

Britax is recalling these child seats because the harness straps may detach from the metal yoke on the back of the child restraint if repeatedly loosened one strap at a time. The affected models include Britax models E9L54E7, E9L54H6, E9L54H7, E9L54M6 manufactured on or before September 14, 2008, and model E9L5490 manufactured on or before September 17, 2008.

To the fix the problem, Britax will mail rubber caps that prevent the straps from detaching to all registered owners.

In addition, Kelly is urging all parents and caregivers to sign-up with NHTSA to automatically receive updates about child seat recalls via email. NHTSA research shows that less than half of affected consumers respond to child seat recalls.

"One of the reasons we see such a low return rate is because owners are difficult to reach if they have not registered the seat with us or the manufacturer," said Kelly.

Today the U.S. Department of Energy issued an Interim Final Rule that implements the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentive Program authorized by section 136 of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA). The FY09 Continuing Resolution provided DOE with funding to make up to $25 billion in direct loans to eligible applicants for the costs of reequipping, expanding, and establishing manufacturing facilities in the United States to produce advanced technology vehicles, and components for such vehicles. These vehicles must provide meaningful improvements in fuel economy performance.

In the FY09 Continuing Resolution, Congress required DOE to issue to issue interim final regulations for the section 136 program within 60 days – that is, by November 29. The Department has completed and issued those regulations in approximately half of that time.

"Issuance of this interim final rule opens the process for automakers and component manufacturers to immediately apply for government funding under the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentive Program," said Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman. "Since Congress provided funding for this loan program approximately 30 days ago, the Department has worked quickly and responsibly to draft this rule, set up a loan office, and establish a credit review board to review loan applications."

Congress has appropriated $7.5 billion to cover the subsidy costs of direct loans issued to automobile manufacturers and component suppliers under EISA section 136. The actual amount of loans that DOE will be able to issue with this funding, up to the statutory ceiling of $25 billion in loans, will depend on the particular circumstances of specific borrowers and proposed projects. Additionally, the Department must comply with statutory requirements including the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) in connection with the issuance of any loans to be made under the EISA section 136 program. The Department intends to act quickly to review and evaluate any applications it receives from eligible applicants under the section 136 program.

New National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) research shows that between 2002 and 2006, nearly four fatalities out of 10 involved alcohol-impaired crashes in the last two weeks of December. The new study also found that 21-24 year-old drivers are involved in more alcohol-impaired fatal crashes than any other age group, announced NHTSA Acting Administrator David Kelly

"Drunk driving is one of the most serious, and preventable, dangers we face on our roadways," Kelly said. "Sadly, the death toll from drunk-driving crashes is higher between Christmas and New Year’s than any other time."

The new report was released on the eve of a national crackdown against impaired driving that involves thousands of law enforcement agencies throughout the country and runs through the New Year's holiday. The "Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest" law enforcement and public awareness campaign is supported by a $7 million national television and radio advertising campaign.

Acting Administrator Kelly warned motorists to obey the law and drive sober to avoid being stopped by police.

"Our law enforcement officers are giving up their holiday time with their families to protect us all from drunk drivers," Kelly said. "Make no mistake about it, violators will get a free ride to jail. So before you go out to celebrate, be responsible and designate a sober driver."

Buying a new vehicle is stressful enough without having to make a decision about how to pay for it. Zero - percent financing, rebate offers of thousands of dollars, small down payments, bank financing, dealer financing – so many choices are enough to make your head spin even before you've taken your dream purchase out for a spin. The - Automover offers these tips to help you save time and money when it comes to shopping for an auto loan.

1. Review your credit report long before you intend to apply for a loan. A credit report is a summary of your financial reliability – for the most part, your history of paying debts and other bills – as compiled by a company called a credit bureau. Why should you see your credit report before applying for a car loan? To correct any error before it slows down your credit approval or prevents you from getting the best possible loan terms. "Erroneous information can cost you hundreds of dollars because you could be disqualified from the best financing terms available," says Joni Creamean, a Senior Consumer Affairs Specialist with the FDIC. "You will be considered a riskier borrower and charged higher rates or be required to provide a larger down payment." Creamean adds that it could take months to correct errors in your credit history.

2. Shop for a loan before you visit a dealership or bid for a car over the Internet. Contact your bank and several other local lenders. Ask about the loans they offer – the number of months for which you can borrow, the interest rates being offered, whether there are penalties if you pay the loan off early, and so on. Ask about other options for financing the car.

3. Be careful figuring out how much to borrow and for how long. Of course, the dollar amount of your loan largely will be determined by the sale price of the vehicle minus your down payment, any rebates and the value of any trade-in. But there are other costs that you should consider when deciding how much of a car you can afford and how much of a loan you need. Those costs include auto insurance, sales taxes, annual property taxes on the car (if any), and options you may be inclined to buy, such as an extended warranty. Also remember that every item you add to your loan instead of paying up-front will add to the total cost of the loan because you will be paying interest on the amount financed.

4. Know what you are signing and speak up if you think there's a problem. A variety of laws provide consumer protections in the context of auto loans. Among them: the federal Truth in Lending Act, which requires lenders to disclose to borrowers the terms of a loan (including the Annual Percentage Rate and the total cost of the loan), and federal and state laws that prohibit unfair or deceptive business practices. However, you have a responsibility for protecting yourself, too.

After National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued an initial decision that MY 2007 and some MY 2008 Mini Cooper S vehicles contained a safety-related defect that could result in burns due to contact with the tail pipes, BMW has decided to recall the vehicles rather than contest NHTSA's initial decision in a public hearing on the issue. As a result, the public hearing scheduled for December 17 has been cancelled. BMW will commence the safety recall in January 2009.