Download the report
Download the full report (5mb pdf)State Transportation Funding
Visit T4America's home for all state transportation funding information and resources, including details on the states that raised revenue from 2012-2014.
Are you engaged at the state level?
Then you'll want to be part of our new state advocacy network supporting efforts in states to raise transportation revenue and ensure that it gets spent wisely. Find out more and how to join.
Transportation Vote 2014
In November 2014, a handful of measures and races were decided at ballot boxes across the country related to new revenue for transportation at the local or state level. Read more about a few of the important issues we were tracking.
Does raising taxes for transportation = political suicide?
Conclusion
Across the country states are raising revenue to not only bring their transportation infrastructure into a state of good repair but also to better meet the growing needs of their cities and towns. states are trying to provide greater flexibility to ensure that the best projects are selected — the projects that will bring the greatest benefits and best return on investment.
The number of states that have successfully passed transportation revenue packages demonstrates the broad bipartisan appeal for increased investment in transportation across the country. successful states have raised revenue through a variety of funding sources. proponents have made a strong case for how the legislation responds to the challenges of bringing their infrastructure into good repair and ensuring the state will be able to continue to attract residents and businesses to keep their economies strong.
In 2015, Congress will once again debate transportation funding at the federal level. it would be in the best interests of the nation for them to fix the perpetual shortfalls in the Highway Trust Fund and set the country on a path toward a 21st century infrastructure.
It is important to note that all of the states that have acted thus far, and those working to do so this year or beyond, are doing so in expectation of ongoing federal support.
Governors and legislators have acted because states face growing needs and static or falling revenues. the situation has been made worse by federal funding that has remained flat as costs have risen, and could grow disastrously worse should Congress reduce federal support in the upcoming renewal of the national program.
Regardless of what happens in Washington, states know that Congress will never appropriate enough support to close the gap needed to address maintenance backlogs and build for the future. Governors and legislators recognize that they can be leaders on this issue, working across party lines, generating new funding mechanisms, and creating new coalitions in support of transportation investment. the strategies and examples discussed in this report are intended to be a helpful guide for those emerging leaders as they navigate the unique context of their own individual states to pass transportation revenue legislation, and in turn, set an example for others to follow in the future.
For more current information on states attempting and succeeding at passing new funding legislation, turn to Transportation for America and our resources on the issue at www.t4america.org/maps-tools/state-transportation-funding/
