State legislators and the future of transportation

State legislatures are a key partner in the provision of the transportation systems and services that drive metro area regions and their economies. State governments and their local government partners are responsible for nearly three-quarters of total U.S. expenditures on transportation, and that share has been increasing over time.

On Monday, July 11, Brookings Metro will host an event exploring the future of U.S. transportation policy through a state-level lens. Speakers will highlight findings from a recent University of Texas study surfacing how lawmakers are framing the prospects for state-level policy innovation, particularly with respect to transportation funding and energy transition. A panel of state legislators will follow, discussing their priorities, strategies for aligning key stakeholders, and how new federal funding is affecting legislative agenda-setting.

UT Professors Andrew Waxman and Gian-Claudia Sciara will discuss findings from their recent study, Decarbonizing the City – Financing and Policy Solutions for Transportation, as part of a discussion with state legislators working on transportation policy.