Representatives Greg Stanton (D-AZ) and Tony Gonzales (R-TX) have introduced a bipartisan bill to recalibrate the awarding of grants from the Highway Trust Fund to ensure rapidly growing states receive adequate funding for construction projects.
For additional context, the Highway Trust Fund's source of revenue comes from transportation-related excise taxes, like those on gas, diesel, and heavy-duty trucking. The problem is that the formula for awarding these funds is still based on 2010 census data.
Arizona and Texas have grown rapidly in population since then, with the Grand Canyon State's population growing almost 12% since 2010 and Texas's population growth being the third-largest since 2010, but both states received very little highway funding despite this.
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As a result, Rep. Stanton's Highway Formula Fairness Act allows ten-year census data to be considered when determining how to award Highway Trust Fund money while also requiring the Secretary of Transportation to conduct a study assessing data and methods of apportionment.
"Relying on antiquated funding formulas to determine future infrastructure investments just isn't efficient policy—it puts fast-growing states like Arizona at a significant disadvantage," said Rep. Stanton in his press release, adding, "I'm proud to join with Congressman Gonzales of Texas, another fast-growing state that's gotten the short end of the stick, to introduce legislation to modernize this formula."
Rep. Gonzales, the bill's cosponsor, said, "Reliable infrastructure is critical to the Lone Star State. Texas' population is growing, and we proudly welcome millions of visitors to our state each year. Maintaining highways is an important piece to keeping drivers safe on the roads."
"In recent years, Texas has gotten the short end of the stick compared to other states when it comes to federal funding to maintain our infrastructure. The bipartisan Highway Formula Fairness Act adjusts the current method for calculating federal transportation dollars to ensure states with expanding populations, like Texas, receive their fair share. No more roadblocks on our watch, I'm glad to join forces with Rep. Greg Stanton to get this bill through Congress," Rep. Gonzales added.
