Several states are pushing to pass transportation funding measures before wrapping up their 2015 legislative sessions. Here’s a quick look at measures in development this week:

  • The Nebraska Unicameral Legislature is preparing for a final vote on a bill to increase the state’s gas tax by 6 cents-per-gallon over four years to fund the maintenance and modernization of the state’s roads and bridges. The preliminary approval on March 13 was three votes shy of what would be required to override Governor Pete Ricketts’ (R) intended veto.
  • The Louisiana House Transportation Committee chairwoman introduced a bill to increase the state sales tax by one cent to raise an estimated $7 billion over 10 years for the state’s transportation needs. The bill is expected to face strong opposition.
  • South Carolina’s House of Representatives passed a bill April 15 87-20 (five votes over the required amount to override a potential veto from Gov. Nikki Haley
    [R]) to increase the state gas tax and provide a $48 income tax break for residents. The state Senate will now review the House’s proposal, as well as its own gas tax increase plan.
  • Washington House Democrats unveiled a plan April 13 to increase the state gas tax for transportation funding by 11.7 cents-per-gallon. It will have to be reconciled with a similar state Senate proposal.
  • Progress stalled in Missouri on a 2 cents-per-gallon proposed state gas tax increase.
  • Florida legislators approved a study on the impact of a vehicle-miles traveled (VMT) tax.

Three states– Iowa, South Dakota and Utah– have already increased their state gas tax in 2015. Two other states– Idaho and Georgia– are currently awaiting approval from their governors on legislatively-approved state gas tax increases. Transportation Investment Advocacy Center staff is tracking over 130 bills related to transportation funding in 32 states.

To view the most up-to-date list of 2015 transportation funding initiatives, visit the Transportation Investment Advocacy Center blog.

Have we missed an initiative in your state? Let us know in the comments!