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Home My WebLink AboutResolution 2025-14_Opposing Fed Legislation increasing truck size or weightti C� L A�9 u m RESOLUTION 2025-14 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE, TEXAS, OPPOSING ALL FEDERAL LEGISLATION THAT INCREASES MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE COMMERCIAL TRUCK SIZE OR WEIGHT; FINDING COMPLIANCE WITH THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF WHEREAS, the City of La Porte is concerned with the public safety and welfare of residents and visitors to our community and the cost, quality, and reliability of the City's infrastructure specifically local bridges; and WHEREAS, longer double -trailer commercial trucks across the National Highway System would further endanger motorists and the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) concluded that multi -trailer trucks have an 11-percent higher fatal crash rate than single -trailer trucks; and WHEREAS, allowing heavier or longer trucks on the National Highway System would threaten the safety of the traveling public because heavier and longer trucks would be more difficult to control, increase wear and tear on truck safety systems such as brakes, steering, and fires, and increase crash severity; and WHEREAS, La Porte is concerned with the safety of its residents and visitors who travel the same roads and highways as these bigger and heavier trucks; and, WHEREAS, according to the most recent data by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there was a 41.4% increase in fatal crashes involving commercial trucks in Texas between 2012 to 2022; and WHEREAS, previously proposed federal legislation to increase maximum allowable truck size and weight were unfunded mandates leaving local municipalities like La Porte and its taxpayers to bear the financial burden for infrastructure damage caused by these bigger and heavier trucks; and, WHEREAS, the State of Texas has 1,827 local bridges at risk with 91,000-pound trucks with a replacement cost of $972,982,248; and, WHEREAS, La Porte residents are highly dependent on multiple roadways all of which are already heavily impacted by truck size and weight including I-10, Texas State Highway 146 and Texas State Highway 225; and, WHEREAS, La Porte elected and professional officials realize economic vitality is enhanced by traffic mitigation strategies and understand that truck traffic will end up on local roads in transit, as well. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LA PORTE, TEXAS, THAT the City of La Porte, Texas, opposes any legislation that increases maximum allowable truck size or weight at the federal level and encourages our federal delegation to oppose any and all current and future related legislation. PASSED and APPROVED this, the 12' day of May 2025. CITY OF LA PO Rick Helton, ay r Y (� CITy��tll APPROVED AS TO FORM: ATTEST: ' r� '•^('�'••••... T , 74-a44. Clark T. Askins, City Attorney P. Also„ t aq(��1��y// v Mardi Williams, Councilperson District I Chuck Engelken, Mayor"Pro Tem, Councilperson District 2 Bill Bentley, Wuncilperson District 3 Robe Guerra, Counc✓ilperson District 4 / Ja artin, Councilpersoppistrict 5 Robbie M arrin, Councilperson District 6 o� City of La Porte Established 1892 *ups May 12, 2025 The Honorable John Cornyn, III United States Senate 517 Hart Senate Office Washington, DC 20510 Dear Senator Cornyn, Office of the Mayor Rick Helton The City of La Porte is rich in history and built on community, delivering a safe and attractive environment for all walks of life. On behalf of the citizens of La Porte, we stand with the National League of Cities, local elected officials, law enforcement, and emergency responders from across the state of Texas in opposing all federal legislation to increase truck size and weight on our nation's highways. An increase in truck size and weights places not only our fellow Texans in danger but also our community's infrastructure. Please find enclosed City of La Porte Resolution 2025-14 indicating La Porte's opposition to any increase in truck size and weight. We respectfully request you oppose this legislation should it come before you in the future. Sincere , Ric Helton Mayor RH/Iw Enclosure cc: Scott Pullig, Chief of Police Chris Pettis, Fire Chief Planning and Development Director Ryan Hvitlok Public Works Director Ray Mayo 604 West Fairmont Parkway, La Porte, TX 77571 281-470-5021 1 CitySecretary@LaPorteTX.gov I LaPorteTX.gov/Council City of La Porte Office of the Mayor Rick Helton Established 1892 The City of La Porte is rich in history and built on community, delivering a safe and attractive environment for all walks of life. May 12, 2025 The Honorable Ted Cruz United States Senate 167 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Dear Senator Cruz, On behalf of the citizens of La Porte, we stand with the National League of Cities, local elected officials, law enforcement, and emergency responders from across the state of Texas in opposing all federal legislation to increase truck size and weight on our nation's highways. An increase in truck size and weights places not only our fellow Texans in danger but also our community's infrastructure. Please find enclosed City of La Porte Resolution 2025-14 indicating La Porte's opposition to any increase in truck size and weight. We respectfully request you oppose this legislation should it come before you in the future. Sincerree/l , Rick /4elton Mayor RH/lw Enclosure oc: Scott Pullig, Chief of Police Chris Pettis, Fire Chief Planning and Development Director Ryan Hvitlok Public Works Director Ray Mayo 604 West Fairmont Parkway, La Porte, TX 77571 281-470-5021 1 CitySecretary@LaPorteTX.gov I LaPorteTX.gov/Council City of La Porte Office of the Mayor Rick Helton Established 1892 The City of La Porte is rich in history and built on community, delivering a safe and attractive environment for all walks of life. May 12, 2025 The Honorable Brian Babin United States House of Representatives 2236 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Dear Representative Babin, On behalf of the citizens of La Porte, we stand with the National League of Cities, local elected officials, law enforcement, and emergency responders from across the state of Texas in opposing all federal legislation to increase truck size and weight on our nation's highways. An increase in truck size and weights places not only our fellow Texans in danger but also our community's infrastructure. Please find enclosed City of Lo Porte Resolution 2025-14 indicating La Porte's opposition to any increase in truck size and weight. We respectfully request you oppose this legislation should it come bef re you in the future. Sincerreelly Rick Helton Mayor RH/lw Enclosure cc: Scott Pullig, Chief of Police Chris Pettis, Fire Chief Planning and Development Director Ryan Hvitlok Public Works Director Ray Mayo 604 West Fairmont Parkway, La Porte, Tx 77571 281-470-50211 City5ecretary@LaPorteTx.gov I LaPorteTx.xov/Council