Transportation

 

At the state level, transportation funding is directed towards a variety of travel modes including highways/roads, public transit, rails, airports and water transit. In fiscal 2011, transportation comprised 7.6 percent of total state expenditures.  Over half of transportation expenditures are funded from earmarked revenues placed in special transportation funds, with federal funds and bonds also playing a large role. During the recent economic downturn transportation funding did not experience as many spending cutbacks as other areas of the budget, although concerns remain regarding funding future transportation needs.

Staff Contact: Brian Sigritz

NASBO Publications

  • State Expenditure Report 2010 (Fiscal 2009-2011 Data)
    This report finds that the recent improvement in the national economy has not translated to strong growth in total state spending. This is largely due to the fact that state revenues have not increased as fast as Recovery Act funds have declined, leading to a unique situation in which total state expenditure growth has slowed during the same time that the national economy has been improving.
  • Fiscal Survey of States, Fall 2011
    Although state fiscal conditions continue their slow improvement in fiscal 2012, they are likely to remain constrained due to the lack of a strong national economic recovery and the withdrawal of Recovery Act funds. This slow improvement in state finances is highlighted by the 38 states that reported general fund spending growth in 2011 and the 43 states that reported spending growth for 2012. However, 29 states still have lower general fund spending in fiscal 2012 compared to the pre-recession levels of fiscal 2008.
  • 2008 Budget Processes in the States
    Budget Processes in the States highlights key budget issues, demonstrating the diversity in state budgeting practices. The budget process is the arena in which a state determines public priorities by allocating financial resources among competing claims. The report chapters are organized around particular topical areas: the budget cycle, budget requirements, budgeting tools, the budget document, and monitoring the budget. Data for this report were collected from the fifty states during fiscal 2008.

Washington Report

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Recently Released Reports