The leadership of the Alliance for I-69 Texas today issued a statement of support for federal legislation being introduced by U.S. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) that would allow states like Texas to receive a greater portion of their contribution to the federal Highway Trust Fund.
For 50 years Texans have paid more in federal fuel taxes than their state got back from the federal government. In 2006 Texas received 84.7 of the money put in. State leaders have worked hard for years on the problem and have increased the percentage Texans gets back for highway and transit projects.
John P. Thompson Polk County Judge and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Alliance for I-69 Texas said the proposal could result in speeding up Texas highway improvement projects like Interstate 69.
I applaud Senator Hutchison for introducing legislation to rectify an equity problem that has existed since the 1950s" Thompson said.
The proposed legislation would allow any state to opt out of the regular Federal-aid Highway Program. Tax revenues collected under the federal fuel tax would then be returned to the state if it certifies that it will maintain the Interstate Highway system and use the funds only for surface transportation.
The Alliance for I-69 Texas is a non-profit organization made up of local governments economic development groups and port authorities. It was formed in 1994 to actively advocate the construction of an interstate highway in Texas from Texarkana to the Lower Rio Grande Valley and Laredo by upgrading the existing highway systems.
The leadership of the Alliance for I-69 Texas today issued a statement of support for federal legislation being introduced by U.S. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) that would allow states like Texas to receive a greater portion of their contribution to the federal Highway Trust Fund.
For 50 years Texans have paid more in federal fuel taxes than their state got back from the federal government. In 2006 Texas received 84.7 of the money put in. State leaders have worked hard for years on the problem and have increased the percentage Texans gets back for highway and transit projects.
John P. Thompson Polk County Judge and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Alliance for I-69 Texas said the proposal could result in speeding up Texas highway improvement projects like Interstate 69.
I applaud Senator Hutchison for introducing legislation to rectify an equity problem that has existed since the 1950s" Thompson said.
The proposed legislation would allow any state to opt out of the regular Federal-aid Highway Program. Tax revenues collected under the federal fuel tax would then be returned to the state if it certifies that it will maintain the Interstate Highway system and use the funds only for surface transportation.
The Alliance for I-69 Texas is a non-profit organization made up of local governments economic development groups and port authorities. It was formed in 1994 to actively advocate the construction of an interstate highway in Texas from Texarkana to the Lower Rio Grande Valley and Laredo by upgrading the existing highway systems.
