HomeMy WebLinkAbout84-563 04-24-1984RESOLUTION NO. 84 -563
A RESOLUTION
SUPPORTING INCREASED 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 (7,740 miles).
(2) The state's 5¢ per - gallon motor fuel tax is the 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.
(4) 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 main-
tenance; 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 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
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 City Council
of the City of
Fu1es , Texas, that the Texas Legislature is urged to enact a state -local
road and bridge financing package composed of the following:
(1) An increase of $1 billion per year in funding for the State Department
of Highways and Public Transportation.
(2) $100 million per year for the City Street Improvement Fund (the "Pothole
Bill ") proposed, but not approved, during the 1983 Legislative session.
.(3) Doubling the rate of the state motor fuel tax to 10¢ /gallon and increas-
ing motor vehicle license fees as necessary to generate adequate fund-
ing.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council I of the City of FIJ]PSS, Texas
this 24th day of April , 1984.
APPROVED:
ATTEST:
City cretary