In a bipartisan effort, the Colorado legislature plans to allocate $300 million for transportation in this year’s budget, $106 million more than the initial line item.  It’s unclear where this revenue will be drawn from in the state’s $30.5 billion budget. Read More>>

 

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont (D) April 9 has authorized $806.6 million in bonding in 2020 and $812.4 million in 2021 for transportation projects. The state currently spends about $1.6 billion annually to maintain existing transportation infrastructure, with little left over for improvements. Read More>>

 

The Idaho Senate April 8 rejected a surplus eliminator bill that could have created an endowment fund for road work, effectively killing it for the session, based on concerns about revenue miscalculations and other unforeseen circumstances. Rep. Rick Youngblood (R-Nampa) said he expects to revisit the matter. Read More>>

 

Illinois state Sen. Martin Sandoval’s (D-Chicago) April 6 proposal to raise the gas tax from 19 cents per gallon from 38 cents is being opposed by other legislators and taxpayer watchdog groups. The 19-cent-per-gallon state gas tax, in place since 1990, has lost almost half of its original purchasing power. Read More>>

 

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) has insisted that the state budget must generate $2.5 billion for transportation infrastructure. She has requested alternatives to her 45-cents-per-gallon state gas tax increase proposal. Read More>>

 

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s (DFL) proposed 20-cents-per-gallon state gas tax increase April 6 hit stiff opposition from Republican legislators who contend budget surpluses make it unnecessary to raise taxes. Walz countered his plan would spur job growth and meet the demands of population growth.  Read More>>

 

The New York legislature and Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) March 30 agreed on a $175.5 billion state budget that authorizes the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) to assess congestion pricing in New York City. The program, expected to begin in 2021, will require motorists to pay a toll when entering parts of Manhattan. Read More>>

 

Philadelphia officials April 4 said they will consider congestion pricing to help to narrow Pennsylvania’s $450 million-per-year transportation funding shortfall. A state report says Philadelphia is the nation’s ninth worst congested city; New York City is fourth; and Boston is the most traffic-choked metro. Read More>>