State and Local
Of the 11 gubernatorial races on the ballot this year, only one switched party control (Missouri). As a result, Democrats now hold 29 governorships to the Republicans 21. In addition to electing their federal, state and local representatives, Americans in 17 states voted on at least 37 transportation funding-related ballot initiatives in this year's election.  Voters approved 75 percent of the measures to approve, extend or increase taxes and bond measures for transportation investment. The total value of approved measures is over $71 billion. Of the 37 measures related to transportation funding-eight were bond issues, 24 were new taxes or tax extensions, renewals or increases, two questions proposed changes to existing funding allocations, and three were advisory questions. The success of transportation ballot measures in 2008 is consistent with similar initiatives' success in the 2004 and 2006 elections.

Summary of 2008 Election results

The following analysis details the impacts of the 2008 elections on the make-up of the next Congress and, specifically, the committees that have control over the federal transportation programs. It also provides a brief overview of how the new Congress could affect the future of federal transportation policy and investment issues.