Posted: Sunday, June 10, 2007 12:00 am
SEN. MIKE ENZI
Perspective
The interstates that cross our state provide a vital national link that benefits the entire country and it is important we properly maintain them. It is largely a federal responsibility. On these points we agree, but the main infrastructure of a recent Casper Star-Tribune editorial is in worse shape than the roads.
Highway funding is financed directly through user fees - gasoline taxes and taxes on truck tires, sales of trucks and trailers, and heavy vehicle use. Fuel taxes do account for almost all the revenue that funds our highways. This money is kept separate from the general federal treasury. The link the June 3 editorial and others are making in news reports between highway funding and war spending is inaccurate.
There is a money stream dedicated to highways. That money is not being spent elsewhere. That the editorial itself lists options for increasing highway funding as either an increase in gas taxes or creation of toll roads, bears this out.
In the last couple fiscal years, Wyoming has seen an increase in what it received from the federal government. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Wyoming received about $174 million in fiscal year 2006 from federal gas tax revenue. In fiscal year 2005, Wyoming received about $171 million. Wyoming continually receives more gas tax revenue than it collects each year. For every dollar paid in gas tax in fiscal year 2005, Wyoming received $1.60 back for highway funding.
Some of the discrepancy and complexity in funding figures comes from estimates by the Wyoming Department of Transportation on how much funding it needs to be able to take care of Wyoming roads. These estimates are largely being driven by skyrocketing material and labor costs. Even as Wyoming gains more federal highway dollars, the amount does not meet the funding figures the Wyoming Department of Transportation needs to maintain roads. Further complexity is fueled by dependence on Congressional authorizations rather than actual appropriations. There are also multiple funding "correction" appropriations each year that result in states getting back funds that were previously rescinded, but those gains are often not counted in Wyoming estimates.
It is important for your readers to have an accurate understanding of how the highways they drive on in Wyoming are funded. Wyoming has fared very well under the formula used to distribute federal gas tax money. Although the Wyoming delegation has faced intense opposition from "donor" states like New York that insist it is not fair their citizens pay for Wyoming roads, we believe it is fair because the wear and tear on Wyoming roads comes mostly from interstate truck traffic, which carries the goods that benefit people east, west, north and south of Wyoming. The Wyoming delegation has continually been able to ensure that our state receives a larger share of the federal highway funding pie.
Spending money to maintain our nation's highways is the right thing to do. Allowing highways to fall into disrepair, costs us all more in the long run. The Wyoming delegation has worked closely with our western neighbors to ensure Wyoming and other large land area, low-population states continually receive more funding for this important infrastructure. We will continue to do so.
Mike Enzi is a Republican U.S. senator from Wyoming.