Rethinking Road Revenue: A Rational Approach to Transportation Funding at #MACoCon

At this year’s MACo Summer Conference, a timely session will examine the future of transportation funding in Maryland and the challenges counties face as they work to meet growing infrastructure demands with dwindling resources.

Highway User Revenues (HUR) were once a reliable funding stream for local roadways, bridges, and related infrastructure.

But repeated State-level policy changes, from deep cuts to HUR to the shift toward discretionary grants, have undermined that stability and left counties with limited options to maintain essential transportation assets.

The erosion of HUR has coincided with significant shifts in transportation needs. From population growth and aging infrastructure to the demand for more equitable, multimodal mobility options, the cost of meeting local and regional needs continues to rise.

To keep pace, counties are pushing for a better model, one that reflects modern needs, respects local responsibility, and promotes a fairer funding partnership between the State and its local governments.

To meet the moment, this session will provide historical context on HUR, explain how current law affects county budgets, and explore forward-looking strategies to help build Maryland’s transportation system for the future. Speakers will also discuss the potential of regional transit authorities and other tools that can support more reliable and sustainable infrastructure funding.

Rethinking Road Revenue: A Rational Approach to Transportation Funding

Years of cuts and policy shifts have left Maryland counties with less funding and more responsibility for local transportation infrastructure. This session explores the past, present, and future of Highway User Revenues, examines broader challenges in transportation funding, and looks at practical, modern solutions — including regional transit tools — that can help build a better path forward.

Speakers:

  • David Juppe, Revenue and Legislation Manager, Office of Budget and Management, Prince George’s County
  • Morgan E. Weisman, Budget Management Analyst, Prince George’s County
  • Julia Cortina, Associate Legislative Director, National Association of Counties (NACo)

Moderator: The Honorable Mark Edelson, Maryland House of Delegates

Date/Time: Friday, August 15, 2025; 2:15 pm – 3:15 pm

MACo’s Summer Conference, “Funding the Future: The Evolving Role of Local Government,” takes place August 13–16, 2025, at the Roland Powell Convention Center in Ocean City, Maryland. For more information, visit the conference website.

Learn more about MACo’s Summer Conference: