By J. Lyn Carl, GalleryWatch.com
Austin, TX –
Traffic snarls in Central Texas - and possibly other areas of the state - could be lessened by legislation that proponents say provides for a "true local option" election for residents of neighboring counties.
Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos (D-Austin) and Rep. Mike Krusee (R-Round Rock) today explained Barrientos' SB 478, which affects residents of counties within metropolitan planning areas served by metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) and that are within or adjacent to a regional mobility authority. The legislation allows those county residents to hold a local option election to decide the fate of an increase in local gas taxes as a means of replacing toll lane miles or toll rates in their counties.
Barrientos said attention has been focused on his bill in recent days that would allow for such local option elections "as another tool to be used in relieving our terrible traffic congestion."
Barrientos, from Travis County, and Krusee, from Williamson County, are particularly concerned with traffic along the I-35 corridor through Austin and Round Rock, as well as MoPac in Travis County. Barrientos said this legislation, as it would apply to Travis, Williamson and Hayes counties, would give local voters in certain regions the option of spending increased local gas taxes "where they live" to supplement state and federal funds to "build needed transportation infrastructure, including mass transit and rail."
Having served the local MPO for years, Barrientos said he has always sought a balance between those who think no more roads should be built and those who seek to "plant asphalt on every other acre."
While infrastructure needs continue to increase across the state, finding revenue sources to fund them is difficult, said Barrientos, adding that Congress is reluctant to increase the federal gas tax that would bring in more transportation dollars and that Texas "does not get its fair share" regarding returns on gas tax dollars from the state that are sent to the federal government. He said Texas gets back approximately 88 cents on each such dollar sent to Washington, D.C.
He said some 15 years ago, during Gov. Bill Clements' term, the legislature was asked to approve a 10-cent increase in the state gas tax. "The legislature gave him a nickel," said Barrientos, "and we've been shortchanged on our infrastructure needs ever since."
While the state's leadership does not want to pass any new taxes, said the Austin Democrat, they want more transportation infrastructure and thus the citizenry will pay for it either at the toll booth or in increased fees on traffic violations, etc.
Barrientos said his legislation will ensure that local gas taxes "are used in the area that approved them."
In explaining the particulars of his bill, Barrientos said voters could approve by local option election a local gas tax increase of 3-10 cents. "It will be imposed only if voters in each member county approve such an election," he said, noting they do not have to be simultaneous elections and once a county has opted-in, they will not have to approve it again while waiting for approval in other counties. Also, the lowest tax rate approved among the participating counties will be the rate for each county. For instance, he said, if a 5-cent rate is approved in one county, a 10-cent rate is approved in another and a 3-cent rate is approved in a third county, the lowest approved rate (in this hypothetical situation, the 3-cent rate) will be the rate for all three counties.
Once approved, the revenue can be used in the participating counties to reduce the number of toll lanes in a current toll plan, reduce toll amounts, and allow for the use of toll lanes free for certain vehicles, such as buses, etc.
"This is not, as some have suggested, a way to replace tolls," warned Barrientos. "It is a way to probably reduce the reliance on them."
Because the bill creates the possibility of local options, this is not the type of tax bill that must originate in the House, said Barrientos. While he admits he has had some trouble persuading "the powers that be" in both chambers to hold hearings on his bill and Krusee's bill, Barrientos said Senate Finance Chairman Steve Ogden (R-Bryan), has agreed to hear Barrientos' bill perhaps as early as next week. Barrientos noted that local elected officials, including Austin Mayor Will Wynn and State Rep. Mark Strama (D-Austin) have publicly endorsed the bill. He also noted that the City of Austin is prepared to put its lobby team to work to push for the bill among members of the Legislature.
"I think some of our folks are developing some expectations about my bill that may not necessarily comport with what the bill can do," said Barrientos. "Giving voters a choice is a great idea, but it will not completely relieve the need for tolling."
"I'm in favor of giving the people as many options as we can for solving our transportation problems," said Krusee. "This is one more tool to help do that." He, too, warned that the legislation "will not solve our problems by itself." He said the state will still have to depend on toll revenue bonds, the gas tax and the support of the Texas Legislature to meet transportation needs.
Krusee said his gas index bill is "not a tax increase," but rather says, "we're not going to decrease the amount of real dollars we're going to get each year from the gas tax."
Krusee said his bill has been referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means and he has asked Chairman Jim Keffer (R-Eastland) to hear it, and said Keffer is "considering my request."
Krusee, who chairs the Senate Transportation Committee, said rough estimates show that a 3-cent tax in a region would generate approximately $25 million in revenue.
He said there is such concern regarding traffic congestion and the need for better infrastructure that such local option elections stand a good chance of enough support to pass a local measure regarding transportation and infrastructure needs.
"I can't remember a road bond package that did not pass," he said. "I think it's reasonable to say, 'You decide.'"