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HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-1976-6 . . . . e e RESOLUTION NO. 76- 6' TEXAS HIGHWAY FUNDING CRISIS WHEREAS, citizens of Texas are concerned that state .and federal highway construction and maintenance funds have remaineq for several years at an inadequate and declining level while costs have more than doubled since 1967, and WHEREAS, the current highway funding crisis has resulte~ in a drastic reduction in 'the pace of .,improving the state highway system, and WHEREAS, there is a backlog of $11 billion in highway improvement. projects and anticipated revenues for construction during the next 20 years of only, $1.9 billion, and WHEREAS, all existing revenue will be needed by 1980 just to maintain the state highway system, with no funds available for upgrading obsolete roads and bridges or for new constructiQn, and WHEREAS, the present inadequate funding level will adversely arfect the state's economy, will result in ipcreased unemploy- ment, will contribute to continued death and destruction on Texas highways at a rate higher than the national average, and will result in higher costs for the movement of goods and people, and WHEREAS, Governor Dolph Briscoe has recommended action to alleviate the Tcx~s highway funding crisis by,dedicating three- fourths of the aut.omobile sales tax and the ':It 'lll;..!: al sales tax on tires, tubes, automobile parts and accessories to the state highway fund, supplementing Department of Public Safety operating funds with general revenue appropriations, and utilizing Federal revenue sharing funds for emergency road and bridge capitol improvements, and WHEREAS, these recommendations would produce $825 million in badly needed revenue in the next biennium and $7.1 billion in the next ~O years, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that these recommendations be endorsed and that members of the 65th Texas Legislature convening in January, 1977, be urged to enact implementing legislation to meet the essential highway transportation needs of the people of Texas. PASSED AND APPROVED this the 20th day of October, 1976. CITY OF LA PORTE, TEXAS r_ ~y: . ,.--- J. J. or ATTEST: 7n.0>-...-...-':') ~ Margie Goyen, City Clerk