Every state receives more in highway funding than it is contributing to the Highway Trust Fund via federal fuel taxes and truck excise taxes, said a new study by the U.S. Government Accountability Office.
The idea that states fall into donor and “donee” categories — with some contributing more than they receive — is outdated now that the federal government is supplementing trust fund spending with billions of general fund dollars, the study found.
In Fiscal Year 2009, for example, general fund transfers meant the federal government sent back to the states more than $42 billion for highways although federal fuel taxes and truck fees collected by the states totaled only $30.1 billion, GAO said.
Between 2005 and 2009, the rate of return ranged from a low of $1.03 received to $1 collected in Texas, to $4.99 to $1 in Alaska. Montana received $2.71 for every dollar it sent Washington in fuel and truck taxes, while Florida’s rate of return was $1.15, New Jersey’s was $1.08 and Arkansas’ was $1.31.
The study, released Oct. 12, was requested in May by two senior Democrats on the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee: Rep. Nick Rahall (W.Va.), ranking minority member; and Rep. Peter DeFazio (Ore.), ranking member on the panel’s highways and transit subcommittee.
