This article examines the deep partisanship that is preventing the United States from developing and adopting a cohesive national transportation funding process. In 2012 when Congress failed to pass a six year proposal centered on raising the gas tax, the compromise measure did prevent catastrophe but now those funds are running out and the Highway Trust Fund is facing insolvency by 2015. Article provides details on the shortfall, alternative plans that have been put forward by representatives in California and Oregon, as well as the presidential administration’s take on the issue. It also analyses the success of passing an $8.2 billion water infrastructure bill and if the success of that bill could be applied to transportation funding.
