Wyoming state legislators are exploring transportation revenue and safety solutions as they face a $135 million annual shortfall. Their proposals to make up the revenue include new tolls, a road usage charge, and increasing the state’s 24-cents-per-gallon fuel tax, unchanged since 2014. Read more>>

 

Monett, Missouri voters June 3 approved a 10-year extension of the city’s 5 percent transportation sales tax. The ballot measure received 74.5 percent support.  City Administrator Dennis Pyle said the funding allows continued sidewalk replacement, asphalt overlay, and other road projects. Read more>>

 

Also in Missouri, Lake Ozark voters June 2 approved a measure to borrow $6 million for transportation improvements and to raise the city’s debt ceiling. Voters also approved a measure to apply the city’s sales tax to all out-of-area purchases later registered within its limits.  This applies to vehicles, trailers, boats, etc. Read more>>

 

 Wisconsin Department of Transportation Secretary Craig Thompson said the agency has saved about $100 million this budget year. The savings will offset an $80 million drop in tax revenues and allow 371 highway projects to be completed this year. Read more>>

 

Tennessee state Rep. Sam Whitson (R-District 65) said road projects have made swift progress and are not severely hindered by the pandemic. However, due to declining revenues, every state agency has been asked to submit a 12 percent budget reduction. Read more>>

 

Colorado state lawmakers may postpone a November ballot measure to borrow $1.8 billion for transportation projects due to concerns that voters will reject the measure amid the pandemic.  Another $500 million in transportation work from earlier borrowing is moving forward. Read more>>

 

These states say declining motor fuel tax revenue collections due to reduced traffic during the COVID-19 pandemic are impacting transportation construction and repair projects:

 

  • New York municipalities are hesitant to commit extra transportation spending due state funding uncertainties. Wheatfield Highway Superintendent Paul Siegmann said he is counting on about $121,000 in state funding; however, the municipality is not guaranteed to get it. Read more>>
  • The Oregon Department of Transportation projects state gas tax revenues will decline by $125 million for the 12-month period ending March 2021. Read more>>
  • North Carolina General Assembly leaders are predicting a $774 million decline in highway funds. State lawmakers say they plan to rewrite the budget before July 1. Read more>>
  • The New Hampshire Department of Safety projects a $40.7 million decline in the state highway fund. The state has tapped surplus general funds to compensate for lower motor fuels tax and motor vehicle registration revenue. Read more>>
  • The Missouri Department of Transportation Deputy Director Ed Hassinger said he is anticipating a 30 percent revenue decline. Hassinger said that $400 million in transportation work has been delayed this year and the agency is also worried about being able to afford road salt this winter. Read more>>