States Shoulder Road-Building Burden as U.S. Government Stalls
But the Koch bros. need another tax break. GOP priorities.
U.S. states are taking more financial responsibility for roads and bridges as the expiration of federal transportation funding approaches, straining a partnership that dates to the administration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower in the 1950s.
At least six states have delayed about $2 billion in construction projects because of the uncertainty, and others are making contingency plans to pay contractors. Five states, all with Republican governors, increased fuel taxes this year, while Minnesota and Michigan are pursuing legislation or ballot measures to raise additional money.
The Congressional Budget Office projects that the U.S. Highway Trust Fund, which provides federal dollars for roads and transit, will become insolvent after the current funding bill, itself only a 10-month fix, ends May 31. There’s been no long- term funding plan since 2009, and Congress has failed to address an estimated $58 billion annual shortfall for surface transportation. States are charting their own courses.
http://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/states-shoulder-road-building-burden-as-us-government-stalls/ar-AAbDedh