Texas Highway Funding Proposals

Texas Highway Funding Proposals Traffic congestion is a growing problem in Texas. In 1960, one-third of the state's total budget was devoted to transportation. Today, only one-twelfth of the state's budget is devoted to building roads. Legislators are looking at possible ways to increase state highway funding. House Bill 3106 by Representative Alexander, proposes a five cent raise in Texas gas taxes. The nickel tax would produce about $650 million a year of state highway funding. An accompanying constitutional amendment, HJR 46, proposes to dedicate one-fourth of the tax to a school fund directed to help finance a teacher health insurance program. Supporters of this bill say that Texans recognize the state's critical road problems, and raising the gas tax would help ease congestion on highly traveled highways. Supporters argue that present spending levels cannot maintain the present system and keep up with an expected 45-50% increase in congestion over the next 15-20 years. They also claim that Texans would be willing to trade lost time stuck in traffic for a small increase in fuel tax. The opponents to this bill say that the tax increase will not address the needs of the state. They claim that the generated revenue of past tax increases have not gone solely to essential transportation needs. Furthermore, they believe that with a budget of more than $52 billion a year we do not need a tax increase. Some opponents say the sale of bonds is a better way to fund construction. I would be interested in your input about this proposed bill. Please write my Capitol office at P.O. Box 2910, Austin, Texas 78768-2910 with your comments. In the next Austin Update, I will discuss bonding proposals to fund Texas highways. State Representative Ron Clark P.O. Box 2910 Austin, TX 78768-2910 (903) 893-9426 * (512) 463-0474 (512) 475-3767 (fax) ron.clark@house.state.tx.us http://www.grayson.edu/district62/RonClark.html