Highway Trust Fund : improved solvency mechanisms and communication needed to help avoid shortfalls in the Highway Account : report to the Committee on Environment and Public Works, U.S. Senate.

"The Highway Account within the Highway Trust Fund is the primary mechanism for funding federal highway programs. The account--administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) within the Department of Transportation (DOT)--channels about $33 billion in highway user excise taxes annuall...

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Bibliographic Details
Corporate Authors:	United States. Government Accountability Office, United States. Congress. Senate. Committee on Environment and Public Works
Format:	Government Document eBook
Language:	English
Published:	[Washington, D.C.] : U.S. Govt. Accountability Office, [2009]
Subjects:	Roads > United States > Finance. Federal aid to transportation > United States.
Online Access:	https://purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/LPS113460

Description
Summary:	"The Highway Account within the Highway Trust Fund is the primary mechanism for funding federal highway programs. The account--administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) within the Department of Transportation (DOT)--channels about $33 billion in highway user excise taxes annually to states for highway projects. Although DOT and others projected that the account could run out of funds in fiscal year 2009, the balance fell more rapidly than expected and a shortfall became imminent in August 2008. In September, Congress passed legislation to provide $8 billion to replenish the account, but DOT officials anticipate the account could reach a critical stage again in fiscal year 2009. This report (1) describes the events that led to the decline in the account balance, including how DOT responded, and (2) identifies potential improvements in mechanisms to manage account solvency. This report also includes information on strategies GAO has reported on in the past that could be used to better align account outlays and revenues."
Item Description:	Title from PDF cover page (viewed on Mar. 30, 2009). "February 2009." "GAO-09-316." Electronic resource.
Physical Description:	ii, 23 pages : digital, PDF file.
Format:	System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Mode of access: World Wide Web from GAO web site. Address as of 3/30/09: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09316.pdf ; current access available via PURL.
Bibliography:	Includes bibliographical references.