In Support Of The State Transportation Flexibility Act

(Lori Piotrowski) – Today, Citizen Outreach sent a letter to 63 Nevada legislators urging them to support the State Transportation Flexibility Act (H.R. 1585). This bill would grant individual states the ability to use and manage highway tax revenue dedicated for federal highway funding or mass transit at their discretion.

Federal highway spending is full of waste and has long been mismanaged. Non-essential public works projects are encouraged by the federal government and, as a result, states now focus on how they can increase federal funds, or earmarks.

H.F. 1585 will let states to opt out of theFederal-Aid Highwayprogram and the Mass Transit Account, and it will allow states to regain authority over regional infrastructure improvements. In addition, the bill lets states determine where infrastructure improvement should take place.

The Transportation Flexibility Act benefits taxpayers in two ways. First, states will be less likely to overspend in competition for federal funding. Second, by allowing states to choose infrastructure improvement projects based on greatest need, taxpayer money is likely to be spent more efficiently.

We’ll watch the progress of H.F. 1585 and keep you informed.