HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-1984-03
.
e
e
RESOLUTION 8~-3
SUPPORTING INCREAS~ STATE HIGHWAY
FUNDING, PASSAGE OF THE POTHOLE BILL
AND INCREASED HIGHWAY USER CHARGES
WHEREAS, authoritative surveys reveal that:
(1) Texas leads the nation in the number of deficient
bridges (172,000) and deteriorated state roadways (7,7~0 miles).
(2) The State's 5 cent per-gallon motor fuel tax is the
4It lowest in the nation, and has not been increased in 27 years.
Moreover, in 1965, 27~ of the State budget went for
transportation, while in 1982 only about 10~ of the State budget
was spent for transportation-related purposes.
(3) Each Texas motorist pays a "bad roads" tax averaging
$291 per year for wasted gasoline, tire wear, car repairs,
insurance and medical bills.
(~) Additional transportation spending of $51 billion
will be needed over the next 20 years to overcome the current
backlog of needs--including $6.2 million for road and bridge
rehabilitation, $30.3 billion for reconstruction, $6.7 billion
for new roads and $7.7 billion for maintenance; and
..-
,...., ,
WHEREAS, the State's transportation funding problems are
reflected at the local level, as follows:
(1) The current backlog of city street repair needs
exceeds $1 billion. Texas cities are spending an estimated $193
.
e
e
million per year on street repairs--more than ever before. But
they are still falling further behind each year, because the
street repair backlog is growing at rates that exceed local
spending increases. The cities must have State financial
assistance in order to bring their streets and bridges up to
standard.
(2) Upwards of 20 percent of all municipal streets--more
than 13,000 miles--are currently in need of major repair.
(3) The deterioration of city streets and bridges will
accelerate in the future. The 10 million motor vehicles already
in the State are wearing out local roads and bridges faster than
they can be repaired; twenty years from now, the cities will have
16 million vehicles to contend with--more than half again today's
volume; and
e WHEREAS, the Texas Municipal League supports the State funding
and tax increases necessary to bring our State-local roads and
bridges up to par;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and City Council of
the City of La Porte that the Texas Legislature is urged to enact
a State-local and bridge financ~ng package composed of the
following:
(1) An increase of $1 billion per year in funding for the
State Department of Highways and Public Transportation.
.~-e
Fund
1983
(2) $100 million per year for the City Street Improvement
(the "Pothole Bill") proposed, but not approved, during the
Legislative session.
(3) Doubling the rate of the State motor fuel tax to
10 cents/gallon and increasing motor vehicle license fees as
necessary to generate adequate funding.
e
e
e
..
e
PASSED AND APPROVED by the Mayor and City Council of the City of
La Porte, this the IY of April, 198~.
APPROVED:
ATTEST:
~~