CAPITOLGains


ELECTING INFRASTRUCTURE Proposition 1 provides $1.7 billion for Texas roads


BY SCOTT HAYWOOD Guest Writer


“If you bought it, a truck brought it”


has long been a proud calling card of the trucking industry in America. If Texas doesn’t do more to address traffic conges- tion on our highways, local businesses might be left saying, “You can’t buy it here.” Texas continues to grow and add jobs.


Out-of-state companies are expanding in the state. The shale gas boom is creating new opportunities for families here. For the twelfth year in a row, Texas is the top exporting state in the nation. Economic growth is good for our families and com- munities. But growth also strains our roads and other critical infrastructure as more than 1,000 people move to Texas each day. Without the proper investment, gridlock and roadway safety will worsen and our


WITH 80 PERCENT VOTER SUPPORT, THE MEASURE AUTHORIZES ADDITIONAL TEXAS TRANSPORTATION


FUNDING—WITHOUT NEW TAXES, TOLLS OR FEES— THAT CAN ONLY BE USED FOR CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE, REHABILITATION AND ACQUIRING


RIGHT-OF-WAY FOR PUBLIC ROADS. THESE FUNDS CANNOT BE USED FOR TOLL ROADS.


economy and quality of life will suffer. Texas has to act now to confront the


side-effects of our continuing economic success. We have to dedicate more resourc- es to our transportation system. And this November, Texans took a big step in the right direction with the passage of a pro- posed constitutional amendment to provide


billions of dollars more in reliable trans- portation funding – an estimated $1.7 bil- lion in the first year alone – without new taxes, fees or debt. Proposition 1 is a constitutional


amendment authorized by SJR 1 which leg- islators approved in 2013. The amendment Continues


Winter 2015 27


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