HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 84-12 RESOLUTION N0 . R12-84
A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING INCREASED STATE HIGHWAY
FUNDING, PASSAGE OF THE POTHOLE BILL AND INCREASED
HIGHWAY USER CHARGES
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FRIENDSWO�JD, COUNTIES OF
GALVESTQN AND HARRIS , STATE OF TEXAS:
WHEREAS, authori`�ative 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 . More-
ever, in 1965 , 27% of the state budget went for transporta-
tion, 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 averagin� $291
per year for wasted gasoline , tire wear, car repairs , in-
surance and medical bills .
(4) Additional transportation spending of $51 billion will be
needed over the next 20 years to overcome the current back-
log 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 maintenance ;
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, be-
eause the street repair backlog is growing at rates that
exceed local spendir�.g 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 accel-
erate 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 FRIENDS-
WOOD, STATE OF TEXAS:
THAT the Texas Legislature. is ur�ed to enact a state-local road and
bridge financing package composed of the following:
(1) An increase of Sl 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 10�/gallon
and increasing motor vehicle license fee as necessary to
generate adequate funding.
PASSED AND APPROVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FRIENDSWO�D,
THIS 9TH DAY OF APRIL, 1984.
�
Ra p L . Lowe, Mayor
De o is McKenz i
City Secretary
ATTE ST: