The Governor’s state of the state address included funds for TDOT because revenue from gas taxes and other sources are falling short of the state’s needs. Channel 9 had a story on this might affect the supposed backlog of projects and whether revenue problems like this are a permanent feature. CRER director Howard Wall provided his views, questioning the characterization of the so-called backlog: “It’s not really a backlog at all. It’s a wish list at best.”
He also pointed out how inflation of construction materials has been higher than inflation for other goods, and that the increasing use of electric vehicles means that fuel tax shortfalls are likely in the future.