1986-08-11 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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• RESOLUTION N0. 86-26 WHEREAS, Congress increased the federal fuel tax to 9 cents a gallon in the Surface Transportation Act of 1982; and WHEREAS, an amendment to that legislation sponsored by Senator Lloyd Bentsen provided equity to each state by guaranteeing a return of at lease 85 percent of federal highway user taxes collected in that state; and WHEREAS, prior to the enactment of the Bentsen amendment, Texas was receiving less than 75 cents for each dollar paid into the Highway Trust Fund; and WHEREAS, the increase in the federal fuel tax and adoption of the 85 percent provision substantially increased the federal highway funds received by Texas; and WHEREAS, the increased federal highway funds, together with additional state funds provided by the Legislature, are being used in a long overdue program to rehabilitate, improve, and expand the 72,000 mile Texas highway system; and WHEREAS, the Reagan Administration has proposed legislation which would prevent Texas from receiving a fair return of federal highway user taxes collected here by destroying the equity achieved by the Bentsen Amendment; and WHEREAS, Congress is considering legislation to reauthorize federal highway and transit programs. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTS, TEXAS That members of the Texas Congressional Delegation be urged to support legislation which includes the following: 1. Continue the present 85~ minimum allocation program. 2. Remove transportation trust funds from the Unified Federal Budget, allowing revenues from user fees to flow unimpeded to provide improvements in transportation facilities. Funding levels should _ fully utilize revenues available in the trust funds. 3. Authorize the Secretary of Transportation to approve the Interstate Cost Estimate Administratively. 4. Provide adequate general revenue appropriations to meet transit capital needs. 5. Continue to dedicate all fuel tax revenues to the Highway Trust Fund. PASSED AND APPROVED this the 11th day of August, 1986. CITY OF LA PORTS ~- N rman Malone, ayor ATTEST: ~Lc:~ City Secretary