NOTE to students: Read the “Background” below the questions before answering.

1. What is the purpose of the U.S. DOT?

2. What is the Highway Trust Fund; where does its funding come from? Be specific.

3. a) What did U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx say about the fact that the Highway Trust Fund will have no money by August?
b) What do you think of this dire warning: Is this the only way the Transportation Secretary can get Congress to increase funding to the Highway Trust Fund?  or are these comments fear-mongering and an unacceptable way for the Secretary of Transportation to talk? Explain your answer.

4. a) For what reasons has the Highway Trust run out of money?
b) How much money has Congress given the Highway Trust Fund since 2008 to keep it afloat? Where did Congress get this money from?
c) What do you think of this solution? Explain your answer.

5. What solution has President Obama proposed?

6. Read the “Background” below the questions.
a) Solutions for taking in enough money to fund construction and much-needed repairs to roads and bridges include:

• raise federal tax on gas
• tax or eliminate tax breaks on corporations
• allow states to install tolls on interstate highways
• cut spending: Limit spending to the amount that is collected in current taxes on fuel and other transportation activities
• investigate fraud and waste in the current system to increase the effectiveness of money spent on transportation projects

Which solution(s) do you think would be best? (Which is/are the most fiscally responsible as well as the most practical solution(s)? - remember the government has been borrowing money to fund transportation; at the same time roads and bridges need to be maintained.)  Explain your answer.
b) Ask a parent the same question.