Author Archives: Jonathan Davidson

Could the GOP-controlled Congress actually raise the gas tax?

by Jonathan Davidson Posted on January 6, 2015

Could the GOP-controlled Congress actually raise the gas tax?

By on 6 Jan 2015commentsShare

Thanks to low gasoline prices, the average American family is expected to spend at least $550 less on gasoline this year than in 2014. Meanwhile, our country’s transportation infrastructure is crumbling after years of underfunding. Why not use some of Americans’ savings on gas to make repairs to the roads they’re using that cheap gas to drive on?

That’s the idea behind raising the federal gas tax, a concept being cautiously floated by a few politicians of both parties and a number of advocacy groups on the left and right. America hasn’t raised it since 1993, when it was set at 18.4 cents a gallon and not pegged to inflation. The tax is supposed to fund the U.S. Highway Trust Fund, but it isn’t bringing in enough money, so general treasury funds have been used to partially plug the hole while tens of billions of dollars of needed maintenance work has gone undone. Right now, infrastructure is funded through a short-term fix, implemented last summer, which expires in May.

Republican Sen. Bob Corker (Tenn.) is proposing to increase the tax by 12 cents a gallon over two years, and then index it to inflation. The tax hike would be offset by a decrease in income taxes, or some other means to make the change “revenue-neutral.” Sen. Jim Thune (R-S.D.) told Fox News Sunday that he’s open to at least considering the idea: “I don’t favor increasing any tax. But I think we have to look at all options. … It is important that we fund infrastructure.”

Many business-friendly groups, like the conservative U.S. Chamber of Commerce, favor a gas-tax increase to pay for infrastructure. The Chamber’s Janet Kavinoky told The New York Times that many in Congress are closeted supporters of the tax, but fear retribution if they come out and support the policy publicly.

As New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman put it last month, raising the gas tax would be “a hard political choice” but “a win for the climate, our country and our kids.” There’s increasing talk about raising gas taxes at the state level too.

The president isn’t anxious to raise the federal gas tax, though, as USA Today reports:

The White House is declining to endorse calls for gas tax hikes to pay for new road and bridge construction, but will look at anything Congress approves.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest says the administration wants to stick with its original plan to finance new infrastructure spending with revenue to be gained by closing tax loopholes that favor the wealthy.

And some politicians on the right continue to vehemently oppose a gas-tax hike, whether it’s offset or not. They say it would be fine to let the Highway Trust Fund go bankrupt, arguing that infrastructure maintenance should be left up to state and local governments, not the feds.

So a gas-tax increase might be more likely now than it was a few months ago, but not a lot more likely.

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Could the GOP-controlled Congress actually raise the gas tax?

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Here Are NASA’s Top 19 Typography Tips

by Jonathan Davidson Posted on November 20, 2013

For some people, like Staff Sgt. Dana Fernkas, having access to crucial information depends, in some part, on the typography and design of checklists and manuals. Photo: U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jeremy Lock

Whether you’re printing posters for your church raffle or unveiling one of the most important discoveries in modern physics, design matters. For pilots and early astronauts, with their elaborate manuals and checklists telling them how to set controls, or how to deal with emergencies, having clear, legible fonts was literally a matter of life and death.

NASA cares very much about the lives of pilots and astronauts. NASA also doesn’t like to screw around. You don’t get to put one-ton nuclear cars on another planet by screwing around. So, NASA doesn’t screw around with type design.

In 1992, NASA researcher Asaf Degani released a report outlining, in detail, all the ways typography can go wrong, and the very best ways to get it right. Degani didn’t care so much about whether this or that font would capture the identity of a hip business—he cared about near-perfect legibility, under a range of strange conditions.

Degani goes into the rationale and reasoning behind his recommendations, pointers that address everything from x-height and kerning to case and color luminosity. If you want to see the research behind Degani’s tips, it’s all in the report. At the end, Degani summed up his recommendations, and while some of them are a little technical, the best ones—”avoid using long strings of text set in italics” or “avoid using black over dark red, green, and blue”—are solid advice that local leaflet-makers would do well adhere to.

Here’s the full list:

1. Sans-serif fonts are usually more legible than fonts with serifs.

2. Avoid using a font that has characters that are too similar to one another, as this will reduce the legibility of the print.

3. Avoid using dot matrix print for critical flight-deck documentation.

4. Long chunks of text should be set in lower case.

5. If upper case is required, the first letter of the word should be made larger in order to enhance the legibility of the word.

6. When specifying font height, or accessing graphs to determine the size of a lower-case character, the distinction between “x” height and overall size should be made.

7. As a general recommendation, the “x” height of a font used for important flight-deck documentation should not be below 0.10 inch.

8. The recommended height-to-width ratio of a font that is viewed in front of the observer is 5:3.

9. The vertical spacing between lines should not be smaller than 25-33% of the overall size of the font.

10. The horizontal spacing between characters should be 25% of the overall size and not less than one stroke width.

11. Avoid using long strings of text set in italics.

12. Use primarily one or two typefaces for emphasis.

13. Use black characters over a white background for most cockpit documentation.

14. Avoid using white characters over a black background in normal line operations. However, if this is desired:

1. Use minimum amount of text.
2. Use relatively large typesize.
3. Use sans-serif to minimize the loss of legibility.

15. Black over white or yellow are recommended for cockpit documentation.

16. Avoid using black over dark red, green, and blue.

17. Use anti-glare plastic to laminate documents.

18. Ensure that the quality of the print and the paper is well above normal standards. Poor quality of the print will effect legibility and readability.

19. The designer must assess the age groups of the pilots that will be using the documentation, and take a very conservative approach in assessing information obtained from graphs and data books.

More from Smithsonian.com:

What if Newton’s Principia Mathematica, Published Today, Had Been in Comic Sans?
How New Fonts Are Helping Dyslexics Read and Making Roads Safer
Cosmic Sans: a New Font Space Geeks Will Love to Hate

Continued here – 

Here Are NASA’s Top 19 Typography Tips

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Know What You Should Know On Solar Technology By Using These Tips

by Jonathan Davidson Posted on October 1, 2013

There are many environmental benefits solar technology has about the environment. The ever-reliable sun is an incredible source of energy. You must understand if this could be a smart investment or otherwise not. The following information will assist you to on your journey to using solar power.

If you’re leasing your solar energy device, make sure that your agreement permits transfer of lease rights.

The solar panel systems you acquire will determine how dense they are. Panels which are more dense perform better, but they can generate more power. Compare the density of several panels before you decide which to acquire.

You should also consider a back-up plan in the even your solar power panels malfunction. You can get yourself a generator or stay on the energy grid.

It can save you a ton of money with solar panel systems should you don’t mind an investment. Solar power panels require an essential financial investment and it might be years before your tools are paid off. You have to be sure your financial predicament is stable prior to deciding to purchase solar power only when you’re settling down.

You have to take into consideration regardless of whether solar power is a great selection for you. Many reasons exist you are planning on switching to solar power. Solar power can be a great option for many who live in remote locations that are not attached to utility grids. Also, it is an incredible option if you’re capable of paying upfront to lessen your energy’s environmental impact.

Pathway lighting is an easy and great way to harness solar energy. These small lights absorb the sun’s energy through the day then illuminate throughout the darkness at night time. They are easy to install and they give your outdoor area at the same time.

You ought to hire a professional to examine your solar power panels checked twice annually for peak performance. Within this check, the technician can check connections, the angle of the panels are correct along with the power inverter is functioning properly.

You might want to buy the least level of solar panels a few at the same time to avoid an enormous initial investment. Employ someone to come to your house to carry out an energy audit. This permits you will be making necessary changes when it comes to your energy waste issues. This means you reduce the volume of panels installed.

You may wish to install your panels possible since they are costly. Engage a service to perform an energy audit. This will reveal find out how you’re wasting energy if you make a couple of changes. Which means you reduce the quantity of panels with your plan.

Older models are usually cheaper nonetheless they is not going to work as well.

Check any regulations where you live prior to installing your solar power system. You don’t desire to use a solar technology system later after you discover.

[I:https://greenenergy4.us/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/JonathanDavidson39.jpg]You must know that solar energy panels do lots greater than simply illuminate your space. They are able to tepid to warm water and provide heat. Solar systems can easily make a significant impact inside your overall energy bill. You don’t want to be overpaying the energy company paying you!

When you have a couple of children at your residence, you certainly recognize how expensive your electric bill is. With the electronics and other people roaming your home, it may be challenging to conserve energy. This is reasons why a conversion to solar powered energy and lower that monthly bill.

Take the following tips into account if you plan to put in a solar powered energy solution for your personal business or home. Solar power is becoming more common, however it still is outside of the mainstream. These guidelines should aid you in getting over some the confusion that surrounds solar powered energy, anyway. A supply of alternative energy is undoubtedly an amazing thing!

For more related information, make sure you check the poster excellent free article on cost of solar panels for home use, and diy solar panels.

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