On Aug. 22 a Colorado measure to utilize $3.5 billion in bonds for transportation improvements was added to the upcoming Nov. 6 general election ballot. The citizen-initiated proposal exceed the required 98,492 qualifying signatures required. Another measure that would increase the state sales tax by 0.62 percent to raise $6 billion for transportation investment bonds is still being reviewed for qualifying signatures by the Secretary of State’s office. If they appear on the ballot, voters could choose to approve both, only one and reject the other, or reject both. Read More>>

  • Aug. 24 Update: On Aug. 23 the sales tax measure also received approval to appear on the general election ballot. Both measures will be considered  by voters on Nov. 6.

Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant (R) convened a special legislative session on Aug. 23 to address the state’s transportation funding shortfall. Lawmakers will first consider the “Mississippi Infrastructure Modernization Act”, a proposal by the governor for new taxes or fees on internet sales, sports betting, electric and hybrid vehicles and a state lottery in order to provide over $200 million annually for needed road and bridge repairs. Read More>>

  • Aug. 24 Update: The Mississippi Senate on Aug. 23 voted 30-20 to approve a measure that could create a state lottery for transportation improvements over the next 10 years. If approved by the House and governor the measure could generate $40 million in its first year and $80 million annually for each subsequent year. The House approved a bill on the same day to utilize 35 percent of the state internet and catalog sales tax for city and county road and bridge funding, which could generate $110 million annually once fully implemented in 2022. This measure will now go before the Senate for consideration. Read More>>

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R) received approval from the Legislative Council on Aug. 17 to transfer $21.9 million from the state’s rainy day fund to provide a required match for $200 million in federal transportation funds. The state department of transportation already had the remaining $28.1 million— $20 million from the treasury’s interest earnings and $8.1 million from diesel and sales taxes— ready to complete the $50 million match requirement. Read More>>

A challenge that would have prevented a measure to increase Missouri’s gas tax by 10 cents-per-gallon from appearing on the November ballot was dismissed on Aug. 14 by Associate Circuit Judge Robert Schollmeyer. State Rep. Mike Moon (R-Ash Grove) and Ron Calzone contend the measure is unconstitutional because it touches on multiple issues and was rushed through the legislative process. Read More>>

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder’s (R) administration announced Aug. 13 their recommendation to utilize $200 million annual revenue generated by the state’s new 6 percent online sales tax for road repairs. The final decision on how to utilize the new funding would be up to the state legislature. Read More>>

The California Transportation Commission on Aug. 20 approved funding for more than 100 projects that will improve pavement, bridges, culverts and intelligent transportation systems. Revenue for these projects was partially obtained from the state’s 2017 transportation funding legislation that increased the state motor fuel tax and raised transportation-related taxes and fees. The legislation is facing a challenge on the November general election ballot, which could rescind the gas tax increase. Read More>>

New Jersey budget officials may authorize an increase of the state gas tax to ensure that revenue generated from the tax is sufficient to meet the state’s Transportation Trust Fund needs. Legislation approved in 2016 increased the tax on petroleum products gross receipts by 12.5 percent, charged as a 23 cent-per-gallon increase on gasoline and a 27 cent-per-gallon increase on diesel fuel, with the authority to adjust the cap annually based on the state’s transportation infrastructure needs. Read More>>

West Virginia Department of Transportation Secretary Tom Smith warned on July 30 that rising construction material costs could affect the scope of work able to be completed through the Roads to Prosperity Amendment of 2017, the $1.6 billion transportation bond approved by voters in October 2017. Read More>>