FEATURES Mapping the Money
Highway money's circuitous route from pockets to pavement has shortchanged states wondering whether there isn't a better way.
Taxes Go In
Highway users pay billions of dollars per year in taxes on motor fuels, tires, truck and trailer sales, and heavy equipment use. The government collects revenue from states and large companies and deposits it into the Highway Trust Fund.
Federal Aid Goes Out
Outlays to state highway departments require an act of Congress, which authorizes the programs and sets their funding limits. Authorizations are limited to what is in the trust fund. Most programs are given immediate contract authority and can begin obligating money right away.
Funding Gap
The Highway Trust Fund is not growing fast enough to meet construction needs because of administrative costs, inflation, exemptions, mounting obligations and increasing earmarks.
Winners and Losers
The government distributes highway funds among the states based on complicated formulas. Each state is guaranteed to get back at least 90.5 percent of what its citizens and corporations pay in.- Biggest Donors:
- Texas, California, Florida
- Biggest Recipients:
- Alaska, Massachusetts, New York
- Breaking Even:
- Mississippi
Agency Shares
The $284 billion highway and transit authorization would be shared by four Transportation Department administrations:
- Federal Highway Administration:
- $225.5 billion
- Federal Transit Administration:
- $52.3 billion
- National Traffic and Highway Safety Administration:
- $3.2 billion
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration:
- $2.9 billion
SOURCES: Congressional Budget Office; H.r.R; Transportation Equity Act
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