Obama Urges States to Spend Transpo Funds

Apparently American states are sitting on more than $470 million in unspent highway earmarks from 2003-2006 appropriations. In an effort to "create jobs and help improve transportation across the country," the Obama Administration has authorized state departments of transportation "to use their unspent earmarked highway funds, some of which are nearly 10 years old, on any eligible highway, transit, passenger rail, or port project," says a White House press release.

"Funds not re-obligated within a state by the end of the year can go to other states in the 2013 fiscal year," notes Goldmark. Alabama, California, and Texas lead the nation in unspent funds, with more than $125 million unused combined.