Gov. Cooper’s Reckless Budget Proposal Threatens NC’s ‘Good Roads State’ Reputation

Governor’s spending plan would reduce transportation funding by over $630 million

Sen. Sawyer: “Republicans have no plans to entertain such efforts and will continue finding ways to modernize our transportation funding”

Raleigh, N.C. — Bipartisan policy to shore up North Carolina’s transportation funding would be dismantled under the budget proposal by Gov. Roy Cooper.

The governor proposed capping the transportation-related sales tax transfer from the General Fund to the Highway Fund and Highway Trust Fund at 2%. The 2022 state budget — signed by Gov. Cooper — increases that transfer to 6% over the next two years. By freezing the sales tax transfer at 2%, Gov. Cooper’s budget would result in a $638.8 million reduction to transportation revenue over the biennium, and a potential $5 billion reduction over a decade.

“North Carolina has long-held its national reputation as the ‘Good Roads State,’ but the governor would throw that all away in pursuit of his liberal priorities,” Senate Transportation Committee Chair Sen. Vickie Sawyer (R-Iredell) said. “Republicans have no plans to entertain such efforts and will continue finding ways to modernize our transportation funding.”

The governor’s recommendation comes at a time when the State Transportation Improvement Program — the 10-year planning document that prioritizes large transportation projects — is experiencing an $8 billion shortfall. Across the state, communities are turning down new housing developments and economic opportunities due to lagging road infrastructure. When aggressive funding for transportation is at its most important, Gov. Cooper chose to leave the people of North Carolina stuck in traffic.