HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 84-132 R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, authoritative surveys reveal that: 1 ) Texas
leads the nation in the number of deficient bridges ( 712,000) and
deteriorated state roadways ( 7 ,740 miles) ; the state' s 5¢ per
gallon motor fuel tax is the lowest in the nation, and has not been
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; and,
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
exceeds 1 billion dollars. 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
standard.
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2 ) Upwards of 20% 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; 20 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 BEAUMONT:
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 Public Transportation.
2) One Hundred Million Dollars 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
100,/gallon and increasing motor vehicle license fees as necessary
to generate adequate funding.
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PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL of the City of Beaumont this
the day of 1984.
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ATTEST:
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