Voters in 18 states Nov. 8 approved 88 percent of 380 state and local ballot initiatives aimed at boosting transportation investment, according to initial results compiled by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association.
ARTBA’s Transportation Investment Advocacy Center (TIAC) estimates the measures will generate $19.6 billion in one-time and recurring revenue for projects.
The approval rate was higher than the historical average. Since 2010, voters in 44 states have approved 85 percent of nearly 3,000 state and local ballot measures, raising an estimated $342 billion in new and renewed revenue.
“A key takeaway from the results is that voters remain committed to investing their tax dollars in better streets, roads, bridges, and transit systems even in the face of record inflation and high gasoline prices that are straining household budgets,” said TIAC Director Carolyn Kramer Simons.
The results of 23 measures were still pending as of Nov. 9.
The strong voter support comes a year after passage of the landmark federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Some local government leaders have said the increased revenue will enhance their ability to compete for IIJA-related discretionary grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The ballot results also reinforce that while the IIJA provided a much-need federal boost toward addressing national transportation infrastructure challenges, a great deal of work remains to be done at the state and local levels.
Key Outcomes
Among the notable Nov. 8 results:
California
- San Francisco voters were asked to continue an existing sales tax of 0.5 percent for an additional 30 years and authorize the Transportation Authority to issue up to $1.91 billion in bonds, to be repaid with the proceeds of the tax. Early results show it approved 69 percent to 31 percent, generating up to $236 million annually. The measure required two-thirds approval to pass.
- Two other significant sales tax measures—one in Fresno County and the other in Sacramento—failed to achieve the necessary votes to pass.
Colorado
- El Paso County: The Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority—a collaboration among Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs, Green Mountain Falls, Ramah, Calhan and unincorporated El Paso County— one-cent sales tax to fund local transportation projects was renewed by voters 80 percent to 20 percent, spending an estimated $1 billion over the next 10 years on transportation projects. Of the approved revenue, 55 percent is allocated to capital projects, 35 percent to maintenance, and 10 percent to transit. Voters last renewed the measure with 79.5 percent of the vote in 2014.
Texas
Voters approved a combined $12.9 billion from 114 measures, the most revenue of any state.
Voters in 29 localities approved 27 measures—primarily local sales taxes and bonds—to generate $1.5 billion for city, town, and county transportation improvements.
Texas utilizes Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs) to finance infrastructure development for new communities on vacant land outside of city limits. This year, developers created or enhanced 40 MUDs and approved $11.4 billion in bonds for new or improved roads and transportation infrastructure, to be paid back gradually with property taxes from the new residents. This is consistent with recent years and reflects the continued growing population and demand for housing in the state.
Ohio
Ohio’s 122 county, city, and town transportation infrastructure measures were the most of any state. Voters approved 94 percent, in-line with previous years.