Voters in Maine and Texas approve infrastructure initiatives

Seven states held statewide elections on Tuesday with two states--Maine and Texas--passing ballot initiatives that will provide bonding for infrastructure projects.

Maine:  Question 2

Voters approved a $100 million proposal for general obligation bonds for transportation infrastructure projects in Maine, with $85 million for highways and bridges, and $15 million for rail, aviation, ports and active transportation. 

According to Maine Department of Transportation Secretary Bruce Van Note, “Combined, this funding represents about 40% of what MaineDOT spends on transportation funding every year. These dollars are critical to our mission. Without these funds, we simply could not do our job for the people who live, work and travel in Maine." 

With the approval of the bond measure, the state will be able to leverage an estimated $253 million in federal and other non-state funding through matching grants and programs.

Texas: Proposition 2

In Texas, voters approved a legislatively referred constitutional amendment. The proposition authorizes counties to issue bonds or notes to raise funds for transportation and infrastructure in underdeveloped areas.

Cities and towns already have the authority to fund projects with this financing method. The amendment limits the ability of counties to significantly increase taxes to pay for the bonds and also limits the ability of counties to use the funds to install toll roads.