Pandemic Upends Gas Tax Funding Source For Road Repairs
(Sacramento, CA) — The state’s fund for highway repairs is taking a big hit. Officials report a projected six-billion-dollar annual deficit is due to a number of factors that led to lower fuel consumption. The pandemic upended the economy leading to higher unemployment, more remote work, and fewer car trips. Part of the state’s highway fund comes from gas taxes, which are the highest in the country. However, with fewer fill-ups, the money to fund transportation-related projects is far less than expected. State leaders are hoping the federal infrastructure bill becomes law. If so, California could see around 10-billion-dollars for freeways, roads, and bridges. You might ask what happened to the ‘windfall’ (https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/article/How-will-California-spend-its-150-billion-16042354.php)? Not enough to fix our roads?