FAQs

• Q1. Where does Louisiana rank in comparison to other states with regard to fees and taxes?
  A: According to the Reason Foundation, Louisiana dropped to 40th in overall performance of its transportation system. Louisiana ranks below other states in fees and taxes: 44 states pay higher truck fees, 44 states pay higher gas taxes and 46 states have higher auto registration fees.

• Q2. Why isn't the 16 cents gas tax, which goes to The Louisiana Transportation Trust Fund (TTF), enough to meet the states highway needs?
  A: The 16 cents gas tax was passed by the legislature in 1984 and did not include a provision to adjust it for inflation. The buying power of the 16 cents is less than eight cents today. This has created a $14 billion backlog in unmet construction needs.

• Q3. Before we provide additional funds for highway construction, shouldn't we first trim the fat in the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development's (DOTD) operating budget?
  A: DOTD's operating budget has remained stagnant and drastically underfunded, while construction costs and materials have steadily increased. Furthermore, since 1984 DOTD has reduced its staffing by 36 percent making it the second lowest in the south in administrative costs when compared to other states. In fact, DOTD's administrative costs are the second lowest in the south and the fourth lowest in the country.

• Q4. How are Louisiana's roads and bridges funded?
  A: Currently, the state's primary source of road, bridge and port funding is a 16 cent gas tax approved in 1984 and never adjusted for inflation. Bottom line is Louisiana has a $14 billion backlog in unmet construction needs, and gas tax revenues are declining.

• Q5. What has the DLF campaign accomplished?
  A: Our recent successes in the 2008 legislative sessions included speeding up the shift of $40 million from truck registration fees and the phase-in of vehicle sales tax revenue to the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF). The Legislature also appropriated $600 million in one-time surplus funds to transportation projects and removed the responsibility of $40 million in payments for state police traffic control from the TTF. While we've made good inroads, we still have a $14 billion backlog in unmet construction needs and DOTD remains drastically underfunded. We will continue to push for reliable, long-term, recurring funding of our transportation system.

• Q6: What happens if Louisiana does nothing to change the way its transportation system is funded?
  A: Doing nothing is no longer an option; inaction will do the state irreparable harm, resulting in adverse effects on economic development, further deterioration of our roads and bridges and no possibilities for building or expanding new ones.

• Q7: Is the state budget surplus a silver bullet?
  A: Absolutely not. While the surplus is good news it is not a predictable, dependable, recurring source of funding. It is a one-time shot-in-the-arm, not a cure to the transportation dilemma the states faces.