Voters decide on transportation initiatives

During the Nov. 2 election voters in states across the country had their say on various transportation initiatives with billions of dollars at stake. Land Line tracked measures covering statewide, county and local ballot initiatives. Here is a state-by-state breakdown of how some notable initiatives fared on ballots.

Colorado       

Amendment 78: Statewide

Failed

Whether to transfer the power to appropriate custodial funds to the Colorado General Assembly. Custodial funds, or revenue generated outside state government, now are appropriated by the state treasurer. Affected funds include federal transportation aid.

Question 1A: El Paso County

Failed

Whether to use about $15 million in surplus revenues from Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights revenue funds largely for transportation work. About

$13 million would be devoted to 17 roadway improvement projects. The remaining amount would be used for other work that includes parks and trails.

Question 2C: City of Denver

Passed

Whether to tap bonds for

$63.3 million in transportation work. Money would be used for road construction, pedestrian projects and other “transportation safety improvements.”

Georgia

Question 1: Fulton County

Passed

Whether to renew a 0.75% sales tax for five years. The extension would raise $546 million for road, bridge and other infrastructure improvements. The existing tax includes funding for transit. The extension would not include transit.

Question 1: Henry County

Passed

Whether to implement a sales tax of 1% for five years. The increase would pay for $245 million in road, bridge and other infrastructure improvements. Money would be distributed among the county and four municipalities.

Question 1: Oconee County

Failed

Whether to implement a sales tax of 1% for five years. The increase would pay for $56 million in road, bridge and other infrastructure improvements.

Question 1: Peach County

Passed

Whether to implement a 1% sales tax for five years. The increase would pay for $27 million in road, bridge and other infrastructure improvements.

Question 1: Spalding County

Passed

Would implement a sales tax of 1% for five years. The increase would pay for $58 million in road, bridge and other infrastructure improvements. More than half the amount,

$34 million, is earmarked for road resurfacing.

Maine

Question 2: Statewide

Passed

Would authorize $105 million in general bond revenues with

$90 million designated for construction and maintenance of state highways and local bridges and $15 million for projects that include the state’s ports, harbors, and transit and freight rail.

Ohio

Issue 1: Mahoning County

Passed

Whether to increase the county’s 7.25% sales tax by 0.25% for five years. The additional $45 million would be used to pave roads and improve bridges.

Texas

Proposition 2: Statewide

Passed

Would give counties authorization to use bonds for transportation work in certain areas. Bonds or notes could be used to finance development of “an unproductive, underdeveloped or blighted area.” Additionally, counties would be prohibited from using the funds from bond issuance to build a toll road.

Proposition A: Rockwall County

Passed

Whether to authorize $150 million in bonds to pay for roadwork throughout the county. A list of 32 road projects was included in the proposition.

Proposition A: Smith County

Passed

Whether to renew a road bond for an additional six years. Passage would authorize phase two of a countywide road and bridge capital improvement project. Renewal would allow an additional $45 million in projects to be completed.

Proposition A: Tarrant County

Passed

Would authorize the issuance of

$400 million in general obligation bonds for infrastructure improvements that include purchasing, constructing, reconstructing, improving and maintaining streets, roads, highways and bridges.

Virginia

Question 1: Arlington County

Passed

Whether to authorize issuing

$38.7 million in bonds for transportation, road, pedestrian and transit projects. Allotment would include $17.5 million for road work and $500,000 for bridge maintenance and replacement.

Washington

Proposition 1: City of Snoqualmie

Passed

Whether to impose a 0.2% sales and use tax to fund transportation improvement programs. The tax is estimated to raise $550,000 yearly. Passage would repeal the existing $40 vehicle license fee collected in the city. The fee raises $406,000 annually. LL