Transportation Reauthorization Battles Ahead - Funding & Revenue Split

The transportation reauthorization bill will be hotly debated this fall on at least two fronts - finding a sustainable funding source and apportioning the revenues. The 18.4 cent gas tax, its funding source, declined 33% due to inflation since 1993.

2 minute read

June 8, 2009, 9:00 AM PDT

By Irvin Dawid


"The federal transportation bill could spend as much as $450 billion on road and transit projects over the next six years.

The trust fund is insolvent in large part because, for the second year in a row, Americans are driving less, and when they buy less gas, gasoline tax revenue declines. Last year the decline in purchases was attributed to record gas prices, and this year people are driving less because of the recession. At the same time, taxes collected from truck sales have fallen sharply, eroding another source of revenue.

While several business groups, transportation experts and lawmakers in both parties have called for raising the gasoline tax to meet transportation needs, the Obama administration has made it clear that it opposes raising the tax in a recession.

"The administration has inherited a system that can no longer pay for itself," Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said Thursday at a hearing in the House, where he pledged to act this summer to address the expected shortfall. "We must think creatively as we search for sustainable funding mechanisms."

A federal commission recently recommended raising the tax by 10 cents a gallon, but said that the nation should ultimately devise a way to tax people based on how many miles they drive, not on how much gasoline they use."

As if preventing the Trust Fund from going bankrupt is not enough of a problem, groups including Transportation for America, the National Association of Realtors and AARP are calling for greater equity in apportioning the funds to transit which only receives 20% of revenues.

CQ Politics: Push for More Transit Funding Could Spark Transportation Spending Battle:

"If the bill starts looking more negative on highways, then users that have been supportive of fuel tax increases would turn their back on it," said Greg Cohen, chief executive of the American Highway Users Alliance. "There is potential that the whole bill could be slowed down here."

Thanks to Mark Boshnack

Saturday, June 6, 2009 in The New York Times - U.S.

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

View of dense apartment buildings on Seattle waterfront with high-rise buildings in background.

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents

The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

6 hours ago - Real Change

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing

Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

7 hours ago - Shelterforce Magazine

Green bike share bikes parked in a row on a commercial street with outdoor dining and greenery.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.

July 11 - Cities Today