Gov. Rick Snyder signed a 2013-14 state budget that doesn't address two of his major priorities - expanded Medicaid coverage and raising more than $1 billion in extra revenues for repair and maintenance of state roads and bridges.

While it's not unusual for the Legislature to delay some decisions and amend the budget later, the unresolved issues on roads and Medicaid are so enormous - amounting to $2.5 billion in new spending - that it can be considered a stretch to say the budget is finished.

Michigan lawmakers finished sending Gov. Rick Snyder a $48.7 billion state budget, notable not just for what's in it but also for what didn't make the cut - his proposed $2.5 billion in new spending for road repairs and health insurance for low-income adults.

Both sides have said they expect an on-time budget, but political reality may dictate otherwise.

Gov. Rick Snyder and Republican legislative leaders reached an agreement Tuesday on how to divvy up nearly $702 million in surplus revenue as lawmakers race to complete the 2014 fiscal year budget by June 1.

Highways do not - and, except for brief periods in our nation's history - never have paid for themselves through the taxes that highway advocates label "user fees." To have a meaningful national debate over transportation policy-particularly at a time of tight public budgets-it is impor- tant to get past the myths and address the real, difficult choices America must make for the 21st century.

Highway spending in New Hampshire is not funded by general taxation. Our highway spending is supported entirely by user fees like the gas tax and turnpike tolls. So, if we're developing a real plan, let's start by figuring out how much money those fees will raise over the next ten years.

it is time for Missouri to consider alternative modes of financing highways and bridges as we attempt to deal with MoDOT's projected shortfall in the billions over the next 20 years.

Passenger rail will always have its advocates and, while technology and population densities may someday make passenger rail financially-viable, it is not currently feasible in New Mexico. Unfortunately, solutions like higher fares and additional emphasis on tourism are not likely to fill the gaping holes in the train’s finances. Luckily, the Rail Runner is by no means essential to our transportation network and it can be shut down. The sooner our leaders realize this, the better off New Mexico’s finances will be.

ALEC drafted model legislation for public transportation.