Roads, bridges, highways and transit systems would receive more reliable funding that would help keep local economies strong if Congress passes a bill to raise the federal gas tax that Rep. Rick Larsen, WA-02, cosponsored today. H.R. 680, the UPDATE Act, would raise the gas tax by 15 cents per gallon over three years to pay for needed investments in the country’s aging infrastructure.

Larsen met last week with local elected officials, economic development groups, public works departments and other transportation stakeholders across Northwest Washington about their communities’ transportation needs and the role of federal funding. He also recently released a report, “Keeping Our Economy Moving: Northwest Washington’s Transportation Needs,” that explains why transportation infrastructure is so important to Washington state’s economy, why Congress must act, and what he is doing to support a long-term transportation solution.

“When I talked with local transportation leaders, the message I got was that Congress needs to act quickly. Federal funds make up about a quarter of Washington state’s transportation budget each year. We cannot have a big league economy with little league infrastructure. Raising the gas tax for the first time in more than 20 years will mean states and cities can count on funds to upgrade aging bridges, make rail crossings safer and expand transit options to reduce traffic congestion.

“Our country’s transportation funding is running on empty. It’s time to fuel up the economy by making sustainable investments in our roads, bridges, highways and transit systems. Without predictable federal transportation investments, we slam the brakes on creating jobs and growing our economy,” Larsen said.

The federal gas tax currently stands at 18.4 cents per gallon, and it was last raised in 1993.

The biggest source of federal funding for roads, bridges, highways and transit systems, the Highway Trust Fund, is set to expire on July 31, unless Congress acts. As a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Larsen has long pushed for sustainable investments in roads, bridges, highways and transit systems.

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