Transportation revenue package fails to cross finish line

Although the prospects of a sixteen-year transportation package seemed hopeful earlier this year, the proposal came to a halt in Legislature last week. Both the House and Senate revenue proposals would have generated roughly $17-22 billion over sixteen years and relied on revenues from a cap-and-invest proposal, gas tax increases along with several other revenue sources.  

The revenue package was one element of a Grand Bargain which included a Low Carbon Fuel Standard Policy (HB 1091) and Cap-and-Invest Policy (SB 5126). During the final days of session, both carbon reduction policies passed the Legislature with transportation linkage language that delayed compliance implementation until at least a five-cent gas tax was approved for additive transportation funding.

While the timing is unclear, it is almost certain that a transportation revenue proposal will be considered in the near future.

AWC will continue to advocate in support of a transportation revenue package, for city transportation investments and maintenance and preservation of cities’ capital assets.