While the GOP was gaining control of the Senate on Election Day, the transportation industry also was receiving a great deal of support.
Proposition 1 in Texas, which will funnel a portion of the state’s “rainy day” fund over to road and bridge work, received more than 80% support. The measure could generate $1.4 billion during the first year of operation. More coverage of this victory will be in the November issue of Roads & Bridges.
Maryland and Wisconsin asked voters to safeguard their highway trust funds, and in both states the amendment to the constitution passed.
The transportation sector, however, did suffer a pair of defeats. In Massachusetts, where the state gas tax was recently increased 3 cents, voters decided against the idea to index the tax to inflation. Louisiana was trying to generate support for the formation of a state infrastructure bank, but the idea was soundly defeated (67.5% said no).
