Transport Topics (November 5, 2020)

Though the presidential election was coming down to the wire Nov. 4, the fates of two transportation-related issues in two states were officially settled at ballot boxes on Election Day. In Arkansas, 55% percent of voters approved a measure to make permanent a sales tax dedicated to supplying revenue to state and local transportation infrastructure purposes. The existing 0.5% sales tax was established in 2012 and had been set to expire in 2023. In California, 58% of voters approved Proposition 22, handing ridesharing companies such as Uber and Lyft a win. The measure classifies the drivers of such businesses as independent contractors rather than employees. However, it does stipulate that gig-economy companies must provide certain minimum payments and benefits to these drivers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices