1984-025 - Authoritative surveys reveal that: (1) bridges miles) . Texas leads the nation in the number ofRESOLUTION NO. 84 -025
WHEREAS, authoritative surveys reveal that:
(1) Texas leads the nation in the number of deficient
bridges (1/2,000) and deteriorated state roadways (7,740
miles).
(2) The state's 5C per - gallon motor fuel tax is the
lowest in the nation, and has not been increased in 27
years. Moreover, in 1965, 2/% 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 averag-
ing $291 per year for wasted gasoline, tire wear, car
repairs, insurance and medical bills.
(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./ 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. 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.
(2) Upwards of 20 percent of all municipal streets- -
more than 1.1,000 miles- -are currently in need of mayor
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; twenty years from now, the
cities will have 16 million vehicles to contend with - -more
than halt again today's volume; and,
WHEREAS, the Texas Municipal League supports the state
funding and tax increases necessary to bring our state -local
roads and bridges up to par; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
PARIS, 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) $100 million per year for the City Street improve-
ment Fund (the "Pothole Bill ") proposed, but not approved,
during the 1983 Legislative session.
(3) Doubling the rate of the state motor fuel tax to
lUG /gallon and increasing motor vehicle license fees as
necessary to generate adequate funding.
Passed and adopted this 16th day of April, 1984.
J/6'Graha-fn, Mayor
ATTEST:
C. eene, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
K. ay es, ity Attorney