Set the Voter ID issue down and pick a side on the newest hot button issue this legislative session: the local option gas-tax.
The gas-tax bill originally packaged as SB 855 was killed and then resurrected in the TxDOT Sunset Bill in the form of an amendment. If passed the legislation would allow congested counties to impose a voter-approved 10 cent per gallon local option gas tax increase drivers license fees and/or increase vehicle registration fees. The increased taxes and fees could only be spent on transportation projects listed on the voting ballot.
Supporters of the measures argue that counties lack the tranportation funding necessary to relieve traffic congestion. Many assert the funding situation is so bad that without additional increases these counties will soon run out of transportation funds.
At a rally in support of the measure today on the South steps of the Capitol key leaders voiced their support. Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert as well as key city leaders from throughout North Texas attended the rally shaking hands with a bi-partisan group of legislators who also support the legislation Sen. Carona (R) Sen. Davis (D) Rep. Anchia (D) and Rep. Truitt (R).
Under no circumstances in the remaining days of this Legislature are we backing down said Carona to a crowd of just over one-hundred supporters.
The
Austin Statesman now reports Carona confirming that 77 of 150 House members have now either signed documents pledging support for local option or have verbally committed.
The legislation however has faced tough opposition from critics. The Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and others have voiced harsh criticism to the proposed tax. A recent report released by TPPF argues that cities do have the funding to relieve congestion. TPPF contends the problem is not lack of funding but a lack of commitment to funding transportation needs.
TPPFs Austin report for instance shows that while the citys population growth plus inflation has grown by 71 percent the total budget has increased over 100 percent:
Since the mid-1990s the city of Austins budget has consistently grown faster than the population plus inflation measure. As a result expenditures are now much larger than they otherwise should be.
In fiscal year (FY) 1995-96 Austins budget totaled $1.21 billion; just a few short years later in FY 2000-01 the citys budget had grown to $1.77 billion; and by the time of the FY 2007-08 budget city spending had grown to more than $2.46 billion.
All told Austins budget has increased 103 percent from FY 1995-96 to FY 2007-08. Meanwhile the citys population growth plus inflation has grown by only 71 percent over that same period.
Rep. Joe Pickett (D-El Paso) Chairman of the House Transportation Committee also opposes this amendment.
According to the
Dallas Morning News Pickett is now accusing a group of North-Texas lobbyists of twisting the facts and misrepresenting their support in order to win votes. A petition circulating among House members asks if they support further discussion on the amendment. Pickett believes lobbyists are misrepresenting the petition as votes in support of a local option gas-tax.
A final decision must be made by Noon on Saturday or the measure along with the entire TxDOT Sunset Bill will miss the required deadline.
Set the Voter ID issue down and pick a side on the newest hot button issue this legislative session: the local option gas-tax.
The gas-tax bill originally packaged as SB 855 was killed and then resurrected in the TxDOT Sunset Bill in the form of an amendment. If passed the legislation would allow congested counties to impose a voter-approved 10 cent per gallon local option gas tax increase drivers license fees and/or increase vehicle registration fees. The increased taxes and fees could only be spent on transportation projects listed on the voting ballot.
Supporters of the measures argue that counties lack the tranportation funding necessary to relieve traffic congestion. Many assert the funding situation is so bad that without additional increases these counties will soon run out of transportation funds.
At a rally in support of the measure today on the South steps of the Capitol key leaders voiced their support. Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert as well as key city leaders from throughout North Texas attended the rally shaking hands with a bi-partisan group of legislators who also support the legislation Sen. Carona (R) Sen. Davis (D) Rep. Anchia (D) and Rep. Truitt (R).
