It probably goes without saying that politics are a factor in states' ability to raise money for transportation projects. Political maneuvering in Congress can affect the amount of money distributed to states or the amount states need to pay for a project. Within state government, individual lawmakers may be unwilling to support funding mechanisms that could be unpopular with constituents or that are perceived to benefit only certain parts of the state. Citizen campaigns and initiatives can jeopardize transportation funding programs. Several political obstacles have consistently affected state transportation funding.
Political Obstacles to Transportation Funding |
• Resistance to referendums, tolls, fare increases and motor vehicle fees. |