Gov. Phil Bryant (R) told attendees of the Mississippi Economic Council’s 16th Annual Hobnob event on Oct. 25 that he would support putting a gas tax increase on the Nov. 2018 ballot for voter approval. Read More>>
While most New Hampshire residents believe the state’s transportation infrastructure is in the same or better shape than it was 10 or 20 years ago, 60 percent said they would support a 10 cents-per-gallon gas tax increase if revenue was needed to maintain the state’s roads and bridges, according to a survey released Oct. 24 by the University of New Hampshire’s Carsey School of Public Policy. Read More>>
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin (R) and state Republican leaders announced a plan on Oct. 23 to increase the state fuel tax by 6 cents-per-gallon to help close a state budget shortfall. The plan failed in the House on Oct. 25 in a vote of 54-44, well shy of the necessary three-fourths majority to pass a tax increase in the state. Read More>>
The Missouri House Policy Development Caucus invited residents to share their input on eight possible transportation funding solutions being considered to increase revenue. The public outreach follows months of tours around the state, during which the committee heard testimony on the condition of the state’s transportation infrastructure and evaluated transportation investment methods. Read More>>
State Transportation Funding Opportunities through FHWA
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) awarded six states—California, Colorado, Delaware, Missouri, Washington and Oregon— a total of $15.5 million in federal grants to explore new ways to implement user-based fees to raise transportation revenue. One project, a partnership between the I-95 Corridor Coalition and the Delaware Department of Transportation, will test the feasibility of a mileage-based user fee for trucks. Read More>>
Additionally, FHWA announced on Oct. 20 that it is accepting applications from states that wish to pursue tolling on the Interstate Highway System. Three states will be permitted to test tolls in the pilot program. Read More>>
Positive Reactions to Past Gas Tax Increases
Results of a recent Indiana survey has found that 57 percent of 600 respondents supported the 10 cents-per-gallon gas tax increase that passed on April 27 and went into effect on July 1, while only 38 percent disapproved of the increase. Read More>>
South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard (R) on Oct. 20 praised the state’s 2015 gas tax increase of 6 cents-per-gallon, citing 298 construction contracts had been awarded for $750 million in order to complete work on 6,078 miles of state highway and 172 bridges. Read More>>
The California Transportation Commission on Oct. 23 approved expediting almost $3.4 billion in road and bridge repair projects, which includes 1,200 miles of pavement restoration and the repair of 66 bridges. The additions were made due to revenue approved in the $52.4 billion transportation funding bill signed into law in April. Read More>>