Voters Favor Transportation Investment

Examining results from state and local elections and referenda, the American Road and Transportation Builders Association concludes that voters across

Examining results from state and local elections and referenda, the American Road and Transportation Builders Association concludes that voters across the country support transportation investment despite higher gasoline prices. Ballot initiatives that will provide new funds for transportation improvements have been approved in several states.

In one of the most closely watched transportation-related decisions, Washington voters rejected 53 to 47 percent a proposal to repeal that state’s recently enacted 9.5-cents per gallon gasoline tax. The state legislature enacted the increase, which will be phased in over four years, two years ago to help finance an $8.5 billion transportation improvement plan through 2020. In other state-wide transportation initiatives:

  • Maine voters approved 67 to 33 percent a $33.1 million bond proposal to improve highways, bridges, airports, transit and waterway facilities.

  • 55 percent of those voting in New York approved a $2.9 billion bond initiative to finance transportation improvements.

  • 54 percent of those who went to the polls in Ohio approved a bond initiative that will provide $1.35 billion for roads, bridges and other infrastructure improvements.

  • By a margin of 54 to 46 percent, Texas voters approved creating a rail relocation and improvement fund to rehabilitate and expand the state’s passenger and freight rail infrastructure.

  • In Colorado, 51 percent of those going to the polls rejected a $2.1 billion bond initiative to fund roadway improvements. However, voters approved a separate measure 52 to 48 percent that will suspend the state’s spending limits to allow Colorado to keep $3.7 billion over the next five years. Under the spending limits, those funds would have been required to be returned to taxpayers. Transportation improvements are expected to receive a significant portion of the revenues.

  • Virginia voters elected Lieutenant Governor Tim Kaine (D) to be the state’s next governor despite a high profile ad campaign by his opponent claiming Kaine would increase the state’s gas tax. Following his election, Kaine announced he would hold a series of town hall meetings that will focus on addressing the state’s transportation challenges.

Fall 2005 marked the second straight election that voters have signaled their support for boosting transportation investment, ARTBA officials note. Of the 55 measures on 2004 ballots, 46 Û more than 80 percent Û asked voters to initiate, extend, or increase taxes to fund transportation improvements. Thirty-six measures, or 78 percent of the bond and tax initiatives, were approved.