After a mighty effort by members of ASCE and other transportation and infrastructure organizations, Republicans this week voted to remove guarantees that gas tax revenue be used solely to fund surface transportation projects and that yearly appropriations do not have to be at their authorized levels.
While this is is certainly a blow to transportation advocates, it is still unclear if surface transportation funding will be cut. In addition, the Senate did not enact any such provision.
ASCE and our coalition partners will be extra vigilant as spending proposals are released in the coming months. Grassroots advocates should be on the lookout for opportunities to let their representatives know that gas tax revenue should only go to surface transportation projects and that infrastructure improvement creates jobs.