AASHTO Journal, 10 November 2016
U.S. voters backed dozens of statewide and local ballot measures Nov. 8 that pave the way to shore up or protect transportation funding streams.
The American Public Transportation Association called it “an historic day . . . as voters approved 33 of 48 local and statewide public transit measures” and one was still too close to call on Nov. 9.
“Yesterday’s success demonstrates that voters have once again continued their legacy of strong support for local investment in transit options,” APTA said.
The AASHTO Daily Transportation Update on Nov. 9 included links to dozens of news stories about such ballot questions, with reports showing most of them passing.
For example, one showed Maine voters approving a $100 million bond issue to pay for a range of transportation projects including highway, bridge, harbor, freight rail, transit, aviation and bicycle/pedestrian trails.
Austin, Texas, voters backed a record-high $720 million bond proposal for local road, trail and transit improvements, the Statesman reported.
South Carolina voters in Charleston and Dorchester counties approved a sales tax increase to raise $2.1 billion for transit, road and greenspace projects, the Post and Courier said.
Earlier this year the Illinois General Assembly opted to put before voters a proposed constitutional amendment to require all transportation taxes and fees to be spent only on transportation needs. The measure reportedly won 79 percent approval this week, well above the mandated 60 percent threshold.
New Jersey voters approved a referendum to also protect new transportation revenue from diversions to other budget needs.
While voters approved many ballot measures, local proposals to raise gasoline taxes for transportation projects reportedly failed to win passage in Coos Bay, Ore., and Carson City, Nev.