Texans call for constitutional funding of transportation system

Texas business and local government leaders, trade associations and chambers of commerce called on state lawmakers to pass legislation that would constitutionally appropriate revenue to fund highways and bridges.

Texas A&M's Texas Transportation Institute said an additional $5 billion is needed every year to maintain roadways and keep existing traffic congestion in the state at its current level. Revenue sources for Texas highways and bridges hasn't increased in 24 years, and rising costs for road construction, inflation and increasing fuel efficiency in vehicles has reduced revenue spending power.

“The Texas Association of Business (TAB) strongly supports the constitutional dedication of funds for transportation,” TAB CEO Bill Hammond said. “We can no longer borrow to pay for new transportation projects. We must have a steady and reliable source of money to build new projects and repair our roads. Dedicating money will give us that steady and reliable source.”

Scott Kesner, chairman of the Texas Association of Realtors, said Realtors in the state have a “front row seat" to the state's population growth.

“It’s clear that traffic congestion and commute times are directly impacting the state’s commercial and residential settlement patterns,” Kesner said.

Without an effective highway system, the state's economic prosperity won't be able to move people and goods efficiently. Gov. Greg Abbott said transportation is a top priority, and called for more than $4 billion a year to build more roads in the state without raising taxes, fees, tolls or debt.