HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 1984-014
RESOLUTION NO. 84-14
A 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 be 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 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 exceed $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
standards.
(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 out state-local roads and bridges up to par;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of
North Richland Hills 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
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.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of North
Richland Hills, Texas this 14th day of May, 1984.
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Mayor
ATTEST:
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APPROVED AS TO FORM AND
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City Attorney
LEGALITY:
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