On Nov. 8, the truck driving industry saw significant advances, backed by public support. A total of 380 state and local ballot initiatives were submitted for public vote and approval; 88% of those were approved, as reported by The Trucker.
The initiatives are projected to create $19.6 billion in both one-time and continual revenue, all funneled toward improvement projects in the transportation industry, according to results gathered by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA). There are an additional 23 measures that have yet to be approved or rejected and could influence that nearly $20 billion total.
Looking at state-specific results, Texas set the record for the highest revenue approval. The state saw its voters approve 114 measures totaling $12.9 billion in revenue. In El Paso County in Colorado voters approved a one-cent sales tax intended to create funds for local transportation projects. It is estimated to garner $1 billion over the next decade.
The ARTBA Transportation Advocacy Center (TIAC) has tracked nationwide transportation initiatives and their subsequent approval ratings. This year’s 88% set a record high, according to the ARTBA’s TIAC data.
Approximately $342 billion has been raised for new and renewed revenue since 2010. Voters in 44 states across the United States have voted to approve 85% of around 3,000 state and local ballot initiatives.
“A key takeaway is that voters remain committed to investing their tax dollars in better streets, roads, bridges, and transit systems even in the face of record inflation and high gasoline prices that are straining household budgets,” said Carolyn Kramer, TIAC Director.
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) was passed a year ago and is now backed by voter endorsement; the revenue collected by the results of the Nov. 8 ballots will aid local governments in competing for IIIJA-related spending allotments from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
