Borrowing won't solve transportation problems in Texas

[white cloud]

Like a storm at the far end of a West Texas highway, it's easy to see the approaching problems for state transportation funding. Already, there's a good chance that maintenance on that highway has been deferred and its bridges aren't up to modern-day standards.

The storm is unavoidable. The Texas Department of Transportation is asking the Legislature to put almost $4.5 billion in highway improvement projects in the 2012-13 state budget but has another $3 billion on its list of needs that could be addressed if funding were available.

Meanwhile, motor fuel tax revenues, the primary income source for the State Highway Fund, actually declined last year and for at least the first six months of this year. The Federal Highway Trust Fund, supported mainly by federal fuel tax revenue, would have been flat broke long ago if not for the infusion of more than $44 billion from the general fund since 2008.



Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2010/12/23/2725577/borrowing-wont-solve-transportation.html#ixzz194GAffhc

[sonias]

1. "short-term debt stood at $285 million"

(snip)
There is no chance of a brighter outlook for transportation anytime soon -- in fact, just the opposite. Following what they see as the mandate from November's elections, both state and federal lawmakers will go to work next month determined to cut government spending, not increase it.

Still, the needs don't evaporate just because they're not politically correct.

(snip)

The state Transportation Department borrows money for its short-term needs. A year ago, the operating balance of the State Highway Fund was $68 million and the department's short-term debt stood at $285 million.

Ah the no new taxes party is going to be selling more Texas roads for tolling to more foreign corporations. Right?

:shrug:

[trungpa ricochet]

2. What Texas needs is more 24-lane freeways

When I lived there, that's all TexDoT ever did. Houston, San Antonio, and Austin are sorely in need of better public transport. TexDoT's answer is always "wider freeways". They ran a veiled threat to condemn my house, which went on for years before I finally sold it. They don't know how to effectively spend tax money anyway.