State legislators in half the country introduced 61 transportation funding measures during January, according to ARTBA’s Transportation Investment Advocacy Center (ARTBA-TIAC). They are seeking to bridge construction and repair revenue shortfalls created by past failures to keep up with investment needs, economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and uncertainty about the next federal surface transportation reauthorization.

Lawmakers in Massachusetts approved a bond measure that will provide $16.5 billion in one-time revenue. Virginia legislators are making progress to increase regional fees for transit funding. Washington state is expected to introduce a significant transportation funding measure.

States and the types of funding legislation being explored to date include:

  • Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Carolina: a total of 18 one-time funding bills;
  • Arkansas, Hawaii, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Wyoming: 12 bills to increase motor fuel taxes;
  • Hawaii, Indiana, Montana, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, and Washington: nine bills to implement or raise fees on electric vehicles;
  • Connecticut, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Vermont, and Wyoming: six bills to implement or test a road usage charge system;
  • Connecticut, Minnesota, Oregon, Virginia, and Washington: eight bills to increase other recurring revenues; and
  • Arizona, Connecticut, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Utah, and Virginia: nine bills to address local funding or non-funding issues such as transportation fund lockboxes or task forces.

ARTBA-TIAC will continue to track state transportation funding legislative and ballot measures throughout the year. To read an analysis of 2021 legislation and view real-time updates visit the ARTBA-TIAC State Legislation page, including a dashboard analysis, map with real-time updates, and a PDF of the report.