Voters in Texas yesterday sent a clear message that road improvements are very important for economic development, safety and quality of life. By voting in support of Proposition 1, voters decided that a portion of oil and gas tax revenues should be deposited into the State Highway Fund.
Now that voters have spoken, the Legislature will take the necessary steps to determine the amount of funding that will be deposited into the State Highway Fund, before then appropriating those funds to TxDOT. Additional roadway funding will be used to address congestion, maintain the state’s system in a safe manner and repair roads affected by activity in the energy sector. According to the law, none of the funds from oil and gas severance tax revenues that are deposited to the State Highway Fund can or will be used on toll roads.
The approval of Proposition 1 is great news for Texas said TxDOT Executive Director LtGen Joe Weber, USMC(Ret), “This is a good first step toward finding sustainable funding to meet Texas’ transportation needs. The overwhelming support for this measure is a strong statement from the citizens of Texas that transportation is an essential priority.”Weber added his appreciation to the Legislature for helping Texas to get to this point.
“We look forward to working with the Legislature to finalize the process and get the necessary resources out to the areas of the state most in need.”
As the Legislature begins its important work in deciding how much of this funding will be made available, TxDOT will continue to work with local leaders and planning organizations to identify possible projects to advance using these funds. Many of these projects will be ready to proceed to construction within four to six months after the appropriation is received.
