The nation’s highways, airports, water supply systems, wastewater treatment plants, and other facilities play a vital role in the economy. That physical infrastructure, which is provided by all levels of government, supports the private commercial activities and the daily lives of individuals throughout the United States. CBO regularly examines proposals for changes in federal policy regarding such infrastructure.
Infrastructure and Transportation
featured work
Federal Grants to State and Local GovernmentsMar 2013 - In 2011, the federal government provided $607 billion in grants to state and local governments, accounting for 17 percent of federal outlays and a quarter of spending by states and localities. Nearly half of that amount was for Medicaid.
Effects of Federal Tax Credits for the Purchase of Electric VehiclesSep 2012 - CBO’s report assesses how the credits affect the relative cost of owning an electric vehicle, and how cost-effectively the credits reduce gasoline consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Infrastructure Banks and Surface TransportationJul 2012 - An infrastructure bank could play a limited role in enhancing investment in surface transportation projects by providing new federal subsidies to a limited number of large projects and allowing the benefits of potential projects to be more readily compared in a competitive selection process.
Using Public-Private Partnerships to Carry Out Highway ProjectsJan 2012 - CBO assesses the role of public-private partnerships in providing highway infrastructure. In particular, the study focuses on whether such partnerships might provide additional financing for highways and build them more quickly or at a lower cost.
The Highway Trust Fund and Paying for HighwaysMay 2011 - Testimony before the Committee on Finance, United States Senate.
Alternative Approaches to Funding HighwaysMar 2011 - CBO examines broad alternatives for federal funding of highways, focusing on fuel taxes and on other taxes that could be assessed on the basis of the number of miles that vehicles travel.
latest work
H.R. 3095, a Bill to Ensure That Any New or Revised Requirement Providing for the Screening, Testing, or Treatment of Individuals Operating Commercial Motor Vehicles for Sleep Disorders is Adopted Pursuant to a Rulemaking Proceeding
cost estimateSeptember 24, 2013S. 921, Raechel and Jacqueline Houck Safe Rental Car Act of 2013
cost estimateSeptember 11, 2013S. 1072, Small Airplane Revitalization Act of 2013
cost estimateAugust 22, 2013Testimony on the Status of the Highway Trust Fund
reportJuly 23, 2013H.R. 1961, a bill to amend title 46, United States Code, to extend the exemption from the fire-retardant material construction requirement for vessels operating within the boundary line
cost estimateJuly 22, 2013H.R. 2353, a bill to amend title 23, United States Code, with respect to the operation of vehicles on certain Wisconsin highways, and for other purposes
cost estimateJuly 22, 2013H.R. 2576, a bill to amend title 49, United States Code, to modify requirements relating to the availability of pipeline safety regulatory documents, and for other purposes
cost estimateJuly 11, 2013H.R. 1848, Small Airplane Revitalization Act of 2013
cost estimateJuly 15, 2013
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