TXnMA
Posted on 12/21/2020 5:51:54 PM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
With the Texas House Committee on Transportation currently studying the funding of highways in Texas, advocates of toll roads and other funding methods are making their voices heard. As part of the interim charge by Speaker Dennis Bonnen, the committee was tasked with investigating whether “the current mix of use fee-based funding for the state highway system, including registration fees, tolls, and fuel taxes, and [determining] if current funding generated is sufficient to maintain cost demands” — making recommendations for additional methods for funding road infrastructure projects.
Ordinarily, the committee would hold meetings and receive testimony from relevant state agencies and interested citizens and groups regarding transportation funding.
However, this year, only written testimony will be received, which must be submitted by September 18.
Recently, the Texas Association of Business (TAB) launched “Keep Texas Moving” as a coalition to encourage private funding of roads. The website says, “Texas should welcome and harness private investment and managed toll lanes,” as a way to help with highway congestion.
The group is hosting meetings around the state with many local chambers of commerce to promote its ideas.
In Lubbock recently, Aaron Cox, senior vice president of TAB, said, “…it’s time that Texas again look to the private sector, public-private partnerships and solutions like optional toll lanes to address the serious funding shortfall facing our state’s transportation system.”
He pointed to the anticipated $5 billion budget shortfall recently announced by Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar adding that “[a]llowing private investment for major highway development would offset state revenue losses…”
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is not currently authorized to use private financing. In his State of the State address in 2015, Governor Greg Abbott recognized the congestion on Texas highways but proposed a budget “without raising taxes, fees, tolls or debt.”
(Excerpt) Read more at thetexan.news ...
True. However, the Toll Booths on the Beltway 8 around Houston have only grown bigger and more expensive over the past 30 years. We were sold that bill of goods as well.
Electric cars don’t pay fuel taxes.
TXnMA
Toll roads like housing associations are inherently evil.
Thanks Tol - a blast from the past! Sounds like (former) Governor Perry is back at it again.
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