State bill would allow county voters to fund projects

Bill would add rail funding

Steve Hawley, Feb 17, 09.

A bill introduced in the Texas legislature on Monday would allow the state’s most populous counties to vote on whether or not to fund local transportation projects, according to the Dallas Morning News. The law, if passed, would enable voters to impose up to six kinds of taxes or fees to generate revenue for the projects.

The bill, which would be used primarily to fund rail projects, has failed in the previous two legislative sessions. However, support for such a measure has been growing, and the article notes that “dozens of mayors, transit officials, and other leaders joined [Sen. John] Carona and [Rep. Vicki] Truitt to hail the bill’s introduction.” Proponents believe this bill is more flexible than previous versions, and they do not expect the bill to draw as much opposition.

The options available to voters would include gas tax increases, used-car registration fees, and impact fees for new residents.

Read the entire text of the bill (SB 855)