1996-127-RES WHEREAS, TEXAS REQUIRES ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO MAINTAIN AND EXPAND ITS 77,000 MILES OF STATE-MAINTAINED

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RESOLUTION NO. 96-127 WHEREAS, Texas requires additional funds to maintain and expand its 77,000 miles of state-maintained highways, some 78 percent of which are in need of repair, replacement, or modernization; and, WHEREAS, the Texas Department of Transportation has reported that more than half of the approved, cost-effective, and needed road and bridge projects cannot be funded over the next three years; and, WHEREAS, the continued economic growth of Texas, along with the quality of life of its citizens, is imperiled by allowing our excellent road and bridge network to fall below the state's traditional standards; and, WHEREAS, more than $2.5 billion have been diverted each year for the past 10 years from the highway fund and spent on non-highway programs, contrary to the expressed will of state voters, above and beyond the 25 percent of gas tax revenues dedicated to schools; and, WHEREAS, the people of Texas expect their representatives to be responsive to the absolute necessity of protecting our state's $100 billion investment in its roads and bridges; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL 01<' THE CITY OF PARIS, that the 75th Texas Legislature, be, and it is hereby, requested to take immediate action to correct the problem of inadequate highway funding by: I. Taking steps to reverse the trend of diverting highway funds from construction and maintenance to other uses; 2. Moving immediately to reduce the growing backlog of unfunded highway construction and maintenance projects by assuring adequate funding for those uses; and, 3. Providing permanent legislative safe guards against the gradual encroachment on dedicated gasoline tax funds for non-highway uses and the resulting deterioration of Texas' precious, first-rate road and bridge system. PASSED AND ADOPTED this 11th day of November, 1996. En~~ ~"' ATTEST: Mattie Cunningham, City C APPROVED AS TO FORM: