April 11, 2007

Media Advisory: Assembly Transportation to Tackle Funding Solutions

The Assembly Transportation Committee will hear amendments to
AB-595 to address Nevada’s $3.8 billion highway funding shortfall

WHO: Nevada Assembly Transportation Committee
Kelvin D. Atkinson - Chair        katkinson@asm.state.nv.us    775-684-8577
Mark M. Manendo - Vice Chair      mmanendo@asm.state.nv.us     775-684-8801

WHAT: The Assembly Transportation Committee will hear amendments to
AB-595 to address Nevada’s $3.8 billion highway funding shortfall.

The Assembly is looking at a funding package which could include these elements:

• A car rental tax (2 percent surcharge)
• A weight-distance tax
• Extending bond maturity to give the state more purchasing power
• A local government funding component that would redirect a county capital levy to transportation projects

The committee is addressing the funding needs and NHUC will provide the economic data to support the importance of doing so,

WHERE: Nevada Legislature, Rm. 1214

WHEN: 1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 12, 2007

The Nevada Highway Users Coalition has commissioned a report entitled “Nevada Transportation Issues: An Economic and Fiscal Overview.”  Highlights from this study by Applied Analysis and Hobbs, Ong & Associates:

• Southern Nevada’s Travel Time Index is the 10th worst in the nation and is roughly equivalent to that in New York City.
• Congestion costs Southern Nevadans an estimated $380 million annually, roughly $279 per capita. (Texas Transportation Institute)
• For every $1 that is spent on highway construction, a total of $1.52 is spent throughout the economy; generating more jobs and a greater tax base. 
• Delaying construction of projects for 5 years will cause a 26.4% increase in the cost of the project.  This means that the I-15 project will cost Nevada taxpayers an additional $611 million and I-80 will cost an additional $229 million.
• Nevada has Sixth highest traffic fatality rate in the United States

The Nevada Highway Users Coalition was formed to advance the rights of Nevada’s residents and visitors to travel on safe, reliable public roads; for the efficient transport of goods and effective public safety; and to hold government accountable for ensuring financing is transparent, motivated by public good and dedicated to transportation purposes.

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