Louisiana’s transportation infrastructure is woefully inadequate to meet the needs of its citizens, and the state’s 20-cent gasoline tax doesn’t generate enough money to address the problem.
That was the message delivered to the Press Club of Baton Rouge this afternoon from the head of the Louisiana Good Roads and Transportation Association—a nonprofit organization that advocates for increased transportation spending—on the same day that, coincidentally, the Louisiana Legislative Auditor released a report saying essentially the same thing.
According to the audit report, a majority of revenues in the Transportation Trust Fund, which was created to pay for infrastructure projects, goes to cover operating expenses in the Department of Transportation and Development. A good chunk has also been used to pay off debt, and also to fund operations of the Louisiana State Police.
The audit says “without additional or increased revenue sources or changes to the allocation of TTF funds” the state may not have enough revenues to address its transportation infrastructure needs.
Ken Perrett, president of LGRTA, told the press club that the situation is a problem that is costing Louisiana residents more than they realize. Though the state’s gasoline tax is significantly lower than the national average of 48.9 cents per gallon, the poor condition of the state’s roads costs Louisiana drivers $418 a year on average to maintain their vehicles.
“So we pay $55 less than the national average in gasoline taxes but we are paying a big penalty in a $418 bad road tax,” Perrett said. “We aren’t getting anything for it.”
To address the problem, LGRTA is advocating raising the gasoline tax to 30 cents per gallon, which Perrett said would cost the average driver just $1 more per week. The group also favors letting local governments raise their own revenue through a local fuel tax to address local needs. Finally, the group supports two constitutional amendments that will appear on the October ballot, both of which would set up a funding mechanism to address transportation and infrastructure needs.
“Finally, the candidates for governor and the Legislature must address the problem with real solutions,” Perrett said. “We need concrete programs and recommendations, not just rhetoric.”
See a summary of the audit findings released today.
—Stephanie Riegel
