Like TURF
Follow TURFEditorial: End diversions to highway fund
End diversions to fix highway fund
Express-News Editorial Board -
Web Posted: 08/29/2010 12:00 CDT
The Texas Department of Transportation is willing to consider all options to raise revenue and reverse a funding shortage for road construction and maintenance. That was the message Amadeo Saenz Jr., TxDOT's executive director, delivered to the San Antonio Mobility Coalition recently, Express-News staff writer Jeorge Zarazua reported.
That shortfall is huge and growing. Due to the weak economy and increases in automobile fuel efficiency, revenues from the gas tax — the largest funding source for the highway fund — fell for the first time in fiscal year 2008. Last year, they fell again for a second year.
Increasing the motor fuels sales tax and motor vehicle registration fees are among the possible alternatives TxDOT is considering. So is a controversial measure that would assess fees on motorists based on the number of miles they drive. Nothing can be done without action by the Legislature.
Read the rest of the editorial here.