04-16-1984-Resolution-Resolution Supporting the TML "Pothole Bill"-04/16/1984A 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 Sanger 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 lOG/
gallon and increasing motor vehicle license fees as
necessary to generate adequate funding.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Sanger
this day of 19840
ATTEST:
r
APPROVED:
Mayor
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