HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 97-23 RESOLUTION NO.
WHEREAS, more than 78 percent of Texas roadways are in need of repair or
modernization, and Texas leads the nation in incidence of substandard bridges; and,
WHEREAS, the Texas Department of Transportation has reported that more than
half of the approved, worthy, cost-effective and needed road and bridge projects will not
be funded over the next three years; and,
WHEREAS, this serious shortfall will cause many approved projects to be delayed
or canceled, critically affecting the safety and mobility of Texas motorists and imperiling
the state's economic growth and quality of life; and,
WHEREAS, the Department has rightly placed its highest priority on maintaining
and preserving our existing highway system, meaning that funds for added capacity will
be in short supply unless the Legislature and other state leaders respond to this growing
problem; and,
WHEREAS, the Legislature should consider that over the past 10 years, some $2.5
billion have been taken from the highway fund and spent on non-highway programs --
above and beyond the 25 percent of gas tax revenues dedicated to schools; and,
WHEREAS, increased fuel efficiency has kept highway tax revenues flat even while
additional cars have dramatically added to wear and tear on Texas roads and bridges;
and,
WHEREAS, the Chairman and members of the Texas Transportation Commission
have detailed the need for additional funding and made it clear that the impact of the
shortfall will be felt in all parts of Texas, urban and rural, and will adversely affect road
congestion, pollution and public health, accident and death rates, repair costs, economic
growth, and quality of life for all Texans;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEAUMONT:
THAT the City of Beaumont requests that the 75th Legislature address the problem of
diminishing highway construction funds and take such action as necessary to assure that
sufficient funds are available over the next decade to meet the mobility needs and protect
the $100 billion investment in Texas highways and bridges.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL of the City of Beaumont on this the day
of � ��- �_- , 1997.
- Mayor -