Green Taxes

[SamIam]

Colorado, at least, does get federal funding to pay for all sorts of highway projects that do not include the interstates. More federal assistance would free up state tax monies to go to other things besides road construction. I don't think Colorado is alone in this respect.

LITTLETON — With one quick tug of the rope, Gov. Bill Ritter pulled the curtain off a new road sign on Belleview Avenue just west of Santa Fe Drive on Tuesday morning.

The sign is the first of many highway markers that will alert drivers to road projects funded by the federal stimulus package signed by President Barack Obama in February at the Museum of Nature and Science in Denver.

Joined by representatives from the Federal Highway Administration, the Colorado Department of Transportation and local officials, Ritter touted the $1.2 million project to resurface one mile of Belleview between Federal Boulevard and Santa Fe Drive in Arapahoe County as well as replace the sidewalks and gutters along the stretch of road as a positive step forward for the state.

http://www.coloradostatesman.com/con...ghway-projects

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by SamIam

Colorado, at least, does get federal funding to pay for all sorts of highway projects that do not include the interstates. More federal assistance would free up state tax monies to go to other things besides road construction. I don't think Colorado is alone in this respect.



http://www.coloradostatesman.com/con...ghway-projects

Yes, that is also in the one of the GAO reports I cited, many states are in the same boat. It is apparently an acceptable use of the funds.

[SamIam]

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

Yes, that is also in the one of the GAO reports I cited, many states are in the same boat. It is apparently an acceptable use of the funds.

Well, then, there you go. Federal funding does impact state highway projects. Colorado is projected to require 1.5 billion dollars to maintain and construct highways. Even 27% of this (from your GAO cite) is a pretty penny.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by SamIam

Well, then, there you go. Federal funding does impact state highway projects. Colorado is projected to require 1.5 billion dollars to maintain and construct highways. Even 27% of this (from your GAO cite) is a pretty penny.

No doubt. Never said it didn't. (edit: I did say it, "A federal tax would only go to the Interstate." and I was wrong. Post #42)

In 2006 our state got

1.4 million from state funds tax
0.9 million from federal tax
0.5 million from local tax

Each state gets a different number and the formula for the differences is a bit complicated. But basically more populated states that collect more tax for the feds get more money.