By Eileen Houlihan, senior writer/editor ARTBA

A dozen state lawmakers were briefed May 19 by ARTBA’s Chief Economist Dr. Alison Black on state and local funding trends as part of the Council of State Governments (CSG) Transportation Leaders’ Federal-State Policy Academy, held in Washington, D.C. Dr. Black highlighted the original research and information available through ARTBA’s Transportation Investment Advocacy Center (TIAC) and shared insights on transportation funding initiatives over the last few years, including state gas tax increases, variable-rate taxes, electric vehicle fees, other recurring user fee revenues and one-time funding measures.

TIAC is tracking nearly 90 transportation fundingrelated bills that have been introduced in state legislatures this year, as well as a number of ballot initiatives that are coming up as part of the November elections.  For more information on these measures and the July 13 National Workshop for State & Local Transportation Advocates, visitwww.transportationinvestment.org.