Voters across the U.S. approved more than $71 billion in additional transportation funding during the Nov. 4 elections, according to a report by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA). Twenty-seven of 37 total measures, or 72%, were approved. When taking into account only the measures asking voters to approve, extend or increase taxes and bond measures, 24 of the 32 measures, or 75%, passed with an average vote of 63%.
Of the 37 measures related to transportation funding, eight were bond issues, 24 were new taxes or tax extensions, renewals or increases, two questions proposed changes to existing funding allocations, and three were advisory questions.
All eight bond measures, totaling $10.9 billion, passed with an average approval of 65%. In addition to the states of Alaska, California and Rhode Island, bond issues were approved in Colorado, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas and Virginia. The largest bond measure was in California: Voters approved $9.95 billion in general-obligation bonds to pursue high-speed rail service between San Francisco and Southern California.
Washington state voters rejected a proposal that would have diverted funds from existing transportation user fees into a special Reduce Traffic Congestion Account. The plan called for taking money from vehicle sales taxes, certain tolls, red-light cameras and other state transportation projects. Approximately half of the anticipated $662 million in revenue would have been available for other relief activities, including expanding road capacity.
In Colorado, voters did not approve a change in the allocation of the existing severance tax to increase transportation funding. Amendment 52 would have taken part of the severance tax paid by oil and gas companies and used it for transportation improvements.
The number of transportation ballot initiatives tracked by ARTBA was comparable to 2006. The value of the transportation measures was up significantly in 2008 compared with the 2004 presidential election.
There were 30 state and local ballot initiatives in 2006. Of the 27 initiatives asking voters to increase revenue for transportation infrastructure, 77%, valued at over $40 billion, were approved, including five statewide measures related to transportation funding. In 2004, voters supported $28 billion in ballot initiatives and voted on 55 transportation funding-related measures. Thirty-six initiatives, representing 78% of the bond and tax measures, were approved.
The election results in 2008 continue to demonstrate strong public support for state and local transportation ballot investment initiatives.
More election information is available in the “Special 2008 Election Report” on ARTBA’s website: www.artba.org.
