A statewide group promoting greater investment in Texas highways tonight thanked Texans for their vote in favor of the Proposition 1 highway funding constitutional amendment that will provide about $1.7 billion a year for road construction and maintenance.

“We believe the voters sent a clear message.  They know we must invest more to deal with growing traffic congestion and overburdened, aging roads and bridges,” said Brandon Janes, chairman of Transportation Advocates of Texas.

“We hope members of the Legislature hear the message.  Texans need their lawmakers to view this as a first step and show resolve by approving additional long-term funding for highways,” he said.

Even with passage of the constitutional amendment the state will face a shortfall of $3 billion to $4 billion a year for the rest of the decade just to keep traffic congestion and road preservation at current levels, Janes said.

Janes said the Transportation Advocates of Texas and its member organizations will be asking state lawmakers to approve new, long-term, sustainable funding sources for transportation infrastructure and to dedicate existing revenue generated from taxes and fees related to transportation to the maintenance, improvement and expansion of roads, rail and public transportation.  This would include ending diversions from the State Highway Fund and dedication of future motor vehicle sales tax revenues to highway funding.

TRANSPORTATION ADVOCATES OF TEXAS

The Transportation Advocates of Texas (TAoT) is a statewide coalition that brings together cities, counties, port authorities, economic development organizations, chambers of commerce, regional alliances, state associations and employers dedicated to supporting additional funding to address the mobility challenges facing Texas.  TAoT supports funding solutions for infrastructure improvements that reduce congestion, enhance safety, move commerce, create jobs and improve the quality of life in Texas.

CONTACT:   Brandon Janes, (512) 422-8729 – bjanes@jw.com