The Elections and Transportation

An article by Robert Puentes and Jonathan Hammond for the Eno Center for Transportation describes the various ballot measures that will affect transportation around the country. “All told, over $130 billion in spending over the next 20 years could be affected.”

The measures include ‘millionaire taxes’ on the ballot in two states (California and Massachusetts), a county sales tax hike in Arizona’s Pinal County, and a 5 cent tax on diesel fuel in Carson City, Nevada. In California, a tax on income above $2 million could raise billions for transportation projects annually. “Eighty percent of the revenue would go to support zero-emissions vehicle infrastructure and purchases, and would target the spending to low-income and disadvantaged communities (the remaining 20 percent is slated for wildfire protection.)”

According to the authors, Denver’s Initiative 307 contains the “most aggressive” pedestrian and bike plans. “Dubbed ‘Denver Deserves Sidewalks’ would raise tens of millions each year to create a master plan for building, fixing, and maintaining the city’s sidewalks.”

The Eno Center will present an analysis of election results on November 10.