1984R09- INCREASED STATE HIGHWAY FUNDING
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RESOLUTION NO.
~ q-R-'f
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 cents 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)
$291 per
insurance
Each Texas motor ist pays a
year for wasted gasoline,
and medical bills.
"bad roads" tax averaging
tire wear, car repairs,
(4) Additional transportation spending of $ 51 bill ion 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 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,
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BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SCHERTZ, TEXAS:
THAT, the Texas Legislature is urged to enact a state-local
road and bridge financing package composed of the following:
(ll 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
cents per gallon and increasing motor vehicle license fees as
necessary, not to exceed 100% of the 1984 fees, to generate
adequate funding.
PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this the fAt- day of
1984.
ATTEST:
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C' Y Secretary, City of Schertz