Head to the Polls and Elect to Fund Infrastructure
November 7th, 2016 | By: Maria Matthews
This election season ASCE has been monitoring state and local ballot measures across at least five states. The issues covered include everything from general infrastructure funding to transit to state parks. Transportation funding is one area that can expect to generate the most new revenue from Tuesday’s elections. In fact, so far this year 55 transportation funding measures that have already passed are expected to generate $4.258 billion in new revenue. You can read about these and the votes coming up on November 8 in the September State Funding Initiatives Report issued by the Transportation Investment Advocacy Center. Statewide transportation measures will appear on the ballot in Illinois, Maine, and New Jersey. We’re also seeing an interest in parks in Alabama. Here voters will be asked to ensure revenue generated at state parks will be dedicated to their preservation and enhancement. Currently these dollars are able to be diverted into other public accounts which over the years has resulted in a reduction in the total number of state parks. Meanwhile, in California ASCE is encouraging a “no” vote on Proposition 53. While this bill affects the sale of bonds, it has the potential to impact future infrastructure projects as they are often high ticket items for the states, its counties and cities, and other joint agencies. A “no” vote here will help ensure that infrastructure projects can be fully funded and efficiently completed. Whether you’re supporting infrastructure funding, or opposing a measure that will derail the process, November is the time to refocus public officials’ attention on the infrastructure needs by casting your vote. Check back in with us on Wednesday when we provide you with the outcome of your trip to the voting booth. Most importantly, don’t forget to get out and vote!Localities Ask Voters to Invest in Infrastructure
October 25th, 2016 | By: Maria Matthews
Over the past few weeks we’ve shared information about key infrastructure measures that will appear on a handful of statewide ballots. Now it’s time to look even closer to home at key questions that will be asked at the local level. Transportation funding, transit in particular, is a common ballot question this fall in major cities and metropolitan regions from coast to coast. This year’s election will see nearly twice as many transportation related measures as 2014. In fact, so far this year 55 transportation funding measures have been considered in primary elections and 50 of them have successfully been approved. Those measures already passed are expected to generate $4.258 billion in new revenue for those cities and counties. You can read about these and the votes coming up on November 8 in the September State Funding Initiatives Report issued by the Transportation Investment Advocacy Center. Among these ASCE is following these local transportation questions:- Residents of the City of Atlanta and Fulton County, Georgia will see a question on their ballot asking them to approve additional funding for its public transit system, MARTA. Just a half-penny sales tax increase would be imposed if the ballot measure passes. It is expected to increase revenue by $2.5 billion over the next 40 years.
- Counties serviced by the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan approved language for a proposition, if passed, is estimated to raise $4.7 billion over 20-years for the RTA. The 1.2-mill property tax ($1.20 per $1,000 of taxable value) requires most votes across Macomb, Oakland, Wayne and Washtenaw counties.
- From Sacramento to San Diego, several cities and counties in California are considering a tax increases to fund maintenance and improvements in public transit. Combined these measures are estimated to generate $144 billion in new revenue.
- New Orleans voters will be asked to extend the 4.46-mill property tax ($4.46 per $1,000 of taxable value) that supports the maintenance and operation of the city’s drainage system. The system currently relies exclusively on the millage tax for its funding. If passed, the tax will remain in place for an additional 30 years and is estimated to continue to supply about 28% of the budget, or $15 million annually. This year’s vote represents one of three that will be put before voters in upcoming election cycles.
Maine Voters Asked to Approve $100 Million Infrastructure Bond
October 18th, 2016 | By: Maria Matthews
Question 6 is a statewide ballot measure that asks voters to consider whether the state may issue $100 million in bonds for transportation and other infrastructure projects. This is the third time in recent years that Maine voters will be asked to make a significant investment in the state. Each of the previous measures passed with an overwhelming approval by the voters and according to early poll data, passage of this bond measure seems highly likely. This year’s bond measure will ask voters to approve issuing $100 million in bonds for infrastructure. Approximately, 80% will be dedicated to highway and bridge construction and maintenance. The remaining 20% will be allocated to ports, harbors, marine transportation, aviation, rail, and trails. It will also ensure the state qualifies for federal matching funds for transportation projects. ASCE supports financially responsible actions by federal, state and local governments to meet America’s infrastructure needs. These actions should support established project and program management principles, including new service and delivery models, innovative financing, appropriate research and technology transfer, and should conform to the principles of sustainability. When you head to the polls on November 8, help Maine fulfill its three year work plan by casting a “yes” vote on Question 6.California Decides How Voters Impact Infrastructure Projects
October 10th, 2016 | By: Maria Matthews
Proposition 53 is a statewide ballot measure that asks voters to consider whether the state may sell revenue bonds for projects expected to cost over $2 billion. This ballot measure would specifically apply to all projects financed, owned, operated, or managed by the state as well as those of joint agencies formed between the state and localities, another state, or the federal government. Under the California Constitution, state general obligation bonds need voter approval before the state can use them to pay for a project. State revenue bonds, however, do not currently need voter approval under existing state law. On November 8, voters in California will be given the choice of maintaining status quo (casting a “no” vote) or requiring that projects exceeding $2 billion receive voter approval for bonds to be sold (casting a “yes” vote). The ASCE Region 9 Board of Governors has issued an open letter to members encouraging a “no” vote on this measure. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) supports financially responsible actions by federal, state and local governments to meet America’s infrastructure needs. These actions should support established project and program management principles, including new service and delivery models, innovative financing, appropriate research and technology transfer, and should conform to the principles of sustainability. For this reason, ASCE opposes Proposition 53 and encourages voters to cast a “no” vote. Investment in America’s infrastructure has been deferred and has not focused on either the demand for new facilities and services or the maintenance and repair needs of the aging infrastructure systems. The results are evident in traffic and airport congestion, unsafe bridges and dams, substandard educational facilities, deteriorating roads and inadequate utility systems. Let’s not further deter or delay project completion by requiring funding receive voter approval – something that only comes around every two years. When you head to the polls on November 8, remember to cast a “no” vote on Proposition 53.New Jersey Puts Transportation Front & Center This Fall
October 5th, 2016 | By: Maria Matthews
For the last three months New Jersey transportation job sites have been mostly quiet. Despite what’s traditionally the heat of summer construction season, shovels have been put down and heavy equipment silenced by the impasse between Governor Christie and leaders from the State Legislature. On September 30, Governor Christie, Senator Sweeney and Representative Prieto reached a compromise that will fund the State Transportation Trust Fund and get projects moving again. A vote was expected October 5, however the Legislature opted instead to postpone weighing in on the compromise bill a few more days. The agreed upon bill will raise the gas tax 23-cents per gallon while providing an additional tax offset by gradually reducing the state sales tax. We expect legislators to cast their votes on Friday and urge you to contact your state legislators to tell them to vote “yes” on this measure. In addition to ensuring the legislature gets their job done this fall, we need you to head to the polls on November 8 to cast a vote on how New Jersey funds its infrastructure this fall. Voters will be asked to consider whether to dedicate all gas and diesel tax revenue to the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF). This will ensure that the investment from the increased gas tax does what its intended to do: improve transportation. Question 2 proposes dedicating all gas and diesel tax revenue to the TTF. Currently, only the first 10.5 cents of the gas and diesel taxes are dedicated to the TTF, while revenue from the tax on the gross receipts of petroleum products is only dedicated up to $200 million. Under the current gas tax, closing the gap has the potential to raise an estimated $35 million each year for the TTF. This comes from approximately $20 million by dedicating the remaining 3-cent diesel fuel tax and an additional $15 million from the 4-cent gross petroleum product tax. If passed, revenue gains for roads and bridges will likely increase once the new gas tax rate is put into effect. Take stock of New Jersey’s roads and make sure you’re doing your part to give the state the 21st Century Infrastructure it deserves!Infrastructure Goes to the Polls on November 8
September 13th, 2016 | By: Maria Matthews
Votes for the President and Members of Congress aren’t the only ones that will be cast this November. In some states, infrastructure funding measures will also be on the ballot. This is a trend that many states and localities have turned to as a way to improve infrastructure. Upon their initial analysis the Transportation Investment Advocacy Center estimated the ballot measures passed in 2014 would generate $15 billion in additional revenue for transportation improvements and an additional $4 billion resulted from those voted on during the 2015 election cycle. During each election cycle voters approved over two-thirds of measures appearing on the ballot demonstrating the public’s increased understanding of the need to invest in both maintaining and improving our infrastructure. In the coming weeks, we’ll be giving a rundown of the infrastructure ballot measures. Here’s a preview:- Alabama’s Statewide Amendment 2 asks voters to provide the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources the option to provide and management of certain facilities by non-state entities. What the question does not detail is that if passed the authorizing Act would also provide for a “lockbox” on the Parks Revolving Fund to ensure revenue deposited into this account is allocated to support and maintain properties within the state park system.
- California voters are being asked to vote on Proposition 53 a bill that will ask voters to consider how projects funded via bonds are approved.
- Illinois voters are being tasked with voting on a single statewide ballot measure. Question 1 asks voters to approve a “lockbox” on the state transportation budget. If approved, Illinois would join 30 states that currently place constitutional restrictions on how transportation revenue can be spent. Maryland and Wisconsin voters most recently passed such measures in 2014.
- Maine’s Question 6 comes on the heels of 2015’s Question 3 which also approved funding for the state’s roadways and bridges.
- New Jersey will put Public Question 2 on the ballot to increase funding for transportation. While this will not solve the current crisis facing the State Transportation Trust Fund, the question will dedicate an additional 3-cents of the current gas tax to the Transportation Trust Fund.
- Residents of the City of Atlanta and Fulton County, Georgia will see a question on their ballot asking them to approve additional funding for its public transit system, MARTA. Just a half-penny sales tax increase would be imposed if the ballot measure passes. It is expected to increase revenue by $2.5 billion over the next 40 years.
- Counties serviced by the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan have approved language, if approved, is estimated to raise $4.7 billion over 20-years for the RTA. The 1.2-mill property tax ($1.20 per $1,000 of taxable value) requires a majority of votes across Macomb, Oakland, Wayne and Washtenaw counties.
- Several San Francisco area communities will see a measure attempting to raise an estimated $3.5 billion over approximately the next 50 years. The revenue generated by the property tax to be imposed on homeowners will be dedicated to replacing and modernizing the BART transit system which is expected to increase capacity by 75% in 2040.
New Jersey Remains Deadlocked on Transportation Trust Fund Fix
August 2nd, 2016 | By: Maria Matthews
It’s now August and few legislative days remain before the start of the State Legislature’s summer recess. What should have been a quick fix at the beginning of July (or during the first six months of the year) is now an ongoing stalemate between the Legislature and the Governor’s Office on whose solution is the best for New Jersey. All parties agree that the 23-cent per gallon gas tax increase is what the State Transportation Trust Fund (TTF) needs to adequately address the state’s transportation needs. Yet, New Jersey now finds itself at the outset of a fourth week of work stoppages since Governor Christie (R-NJ) executive order took effect on July 8. The Governor and Senate President Stephen Sweeney have traded plans over the last few weeks but, ultimately have not come to an agreement on how to offset the 23-cent per gallon gas tax increase. After just shy of a month of inactivity at the state house due to a recess for the National Party Conventions, the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee returned to Trenton last Friday to take up Senator Sweeney’s (D-NJ) proposal, which has garnered support from Assembly Majority Leader Vincent Prieto (D-NJ), and pushed it through to the full chamber for a floor vote. With a new opportunity to vote on this critical piece of legislation, the Senate has again postponed a vote due to the lack of support necessary to result in a veto override should Christie veto Sweeney’s bill. Projections seem to indicate that the chamber is just a few votes shy of the majority it needs but, all the same are waiting to shore up the count. Estimates from early July indicated that the TTF had only $85 million left to pay for emergency repair work. Despite the fact that shovels have been put down at most projects throughout the state, the balance of the TTF is wearing thin and will soon run dry. With just a single legislative day left before the legislature heads home for its August recess, we need you to send an email now and demand Legislators and the Governor find a compromise that will reopen the shuttered projects and give New Jersey the 21st century infrastructure system it deserves!Our New Video: The high price we pay for inadequate infrastructure
July 6th, 2016 | By: Becky Moylan
As we shared in May, underinvesting in infrastructure comes at a high cost. It costs each family $9 a day. That adds up to $3,400 a year, according to our Failure to Act economic study. Watch the video below to find out more about how inadequate infrastructure costs you. And, more importantly, what we can do about it.New Jersey Legislature Misses Opportunity to Fix Transportation Trust Fund
July 6th, 2016 | By: Maria Matthews
Last week, we told you about the looming insolvency of New Jersey’s Transportation Trust Fund (TTF) as the Senate attempted to act before the July 1st deadline. After what looked like a chance to get a bill passed before the deadline did not happen, we are now waiting to hear from legislators and Governor Christie as the state decides how it will move forward now that the TTF is on pace to hit bankruptcy at by the end of July. Talks broke down in the Senate last week over the amended version of a bipartisan bill that was passed by the Assembly. A.10 was passed after careful negotiations with Governor Christie’s office would also reduce the state’s sales tax by 1% to provide further taxpayer savings to cushion the 23-cent per gallon gas tax increase. Concerned that this additional offset would be detrimental to the larger state budget the Senate opted first to postpone a June 30 vote pending further negotiations and later opted to push the vote off until they returned from a mini-recess on July 11. According to some projections, it is anticipated the fund has only $85 million left to pay for emergency repair work. As this is the case, Governor Christie quickly called for work to be ceased on projects funded by the TTF. Federally-funded and toll-funded work would be allowed to move forward. It is expected that the Governor will release a list of projects that will be allowed to continue in an effort to preserve public safety and welfare. No further legislative activity is expected until the Assembly returns on July 11. Until then Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D) is expected to be in negotiations with the Governor’s Staff and his counterparts in the Assembly. Assembly Majority leader Vincent Prieto (D-Hudson) has indicated he is willing to work with the Senate and Governor’s office to find a compromise. Fixing the Transportation Trust Fund with a long-term solution is the first step to raising the grades given by this year’s Infrastructure Report Card. We encourage you to take a moment to tell your state legislators and Governor Christie that immediate action to fix the TTF is needed!New Jersey Must Fix the Transportation Trust Fund
June 30th, 2016 | By: Maria Matthews
Legislators in both chambers worked in a bipartisan manner to address the looming insolvency of New Jersey’s Transportation Trust Fund (TTF) just before the July 1st deadline. The TTF is the account from which the state pays for maintenance, repairs and construction for transportation infrastructure. As introduced by Senators Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen) and Steve Oroho (R-Sussex), and by Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto (D-Hudson), the bills would increase the gasoline tax by 23 cents per gallon, and impose an approximately 13 cents per gallon tax on jet fuel. To help ease the price at the pump the General Assembly also approved a number of tax offsets. Among them are the discontinuation of the New Jersey estate tax, greater tax exemptions for retirement income and low-income workers, and a new tax deduction for contributions to charities. On Monday, a midnight-hour deal was struck between the Assembly and Governor Christie’s office that would also reduce the state’s sales tax by 1% to provide further taxpayer savings. The Assembly remained in session until 1:30am when a 54-22 vote was achieved with 10 Republicans voting in favor of the bill. It’s now the Senate’s turn to take action and June 30 is the last day for them to act. Take a moment to contact your State Senator and encourage them to support the Assembly’s bill. The 2016 Report Card for New Jersey’s Infrastructure’s roads, bridges, and transit grades of D+, D+ and D-, respectively. Among the most alarming statistics about transportation infrastructure found in the report is that 42% of New Jersey’s roadways are deficient, which means over 16,000 miles of roads are rough, distressed or cracked. Equally glaring is the state of New Jersey’s bridges. One in 11 are categorized as “structurally deficient,” and over 40% of all New Jersey bridges are expected to soon require improvements or complete replacement. Nationally, inefficient infrastructure is costing every household $9 a day. However, if every family instead invested an additional $3 a day per household, we could close the infrastructure investment gap in 10 years. This will take action on the federal, state, and local levels. Fixing the Transportation Trust Fund with a long-term solution will not only help raise the grades given by this year’s Report Card but, also put money back into the wallets of New Jersey families.
