The US midterms could shape transportation policy at every level of government, from the lawmakers who will negotiate the next federal infrastructure law to local ballot measures on transit and rail. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is due to expire in December, leaving the next Congress to negotiate a replacement if the current one does not act first.
All 435 House seats and 33 Senate seats are up for election. Transportation has featured prominently in some candidates’ campaigns, though not consistently. Michigan Democrat Abdul El-Sayed drew attention for biking to campaign events, but he and his Republican opponent, Mike Rogers, both support suspending the gas tax—a proposal some transportation advocates oppose. Iowa Democrat Josh Turek also supports suspending the tax.
In Nebraska, Republican Senator Pete Ricketts is seeking re-election. The transportation policy group EnoTrans has highlighted his efforts to repeal California’s waiver for its clean-car rules and his support for eliminating fuel-economy standards. Maine Democrat Troy Jackson has pledged to pursue federal rail funding, while former Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown is seeking to reclaim his seat.
Governors also have considerable influence over transportation, in part through appointments to state departments of transportation and boards. In Illinois, Republican challenger Darren Bailey has proposed eliminating tolls and cutting into incumbent Democrat J.B. Pritzker’s plan to use some toll revenue for public transportation. In Georgia, Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms has criticized the state’s decision to withhold operating funds from transit agencies, while her opponent, Rick Johnson, has not publicly addressed the issue. The race is described as a toss-up.
Local and regional ballot measures could also determine whether transit systems avoid service cuts or gain funding for expansion. California has five proposed public-transit funding measures. In the Bay Area, a regional sales tax is viewed as particularly important for preventing major service reductions, alongside a parcel tax for operating San Francisco’s network.
In Colorado, voters in 13 counties will consider dedicated funding for a proposed passenger rail line linking Denver, Colorado Springs and Pueblo. Seattle and Washington’s Pierce County are considering measures to support transit operations and expand service; the Pierce County proposal could increase service by 40 percent. Tempe, Arizona, could fund transit, cycling and pedestrian improvements through a proposed 0.5 percent sales tax.
Other measures include transit funding proposals in South Carolina’s Charleston and Greenville counties, a transit authority funding renewal in Stark County, Ohio, and a sales-tax increase in Lawrence, Kansas, to support public transportation and maintain fare-free bus service. Cobb and Douglas counties in Georgia are considering tax increases for transportation, although at least one measure could fund road widening. Michigan has three county-level transit funding proposals, one of which would lower funding below previous levels.
In Converse, Texas, voters could choose to leave the regional transit system. The report says the city owes the system $14 million. Across these races and measures, the outcomes could affect public transportation, passenger rail, road spending and options for people who walk or cycle.
Sources: Streetsblog USA.