Subscribe to receive our Floor Reports covering all the action on the Texas House and Senate floor!
Under current law, the Department of Transportation may only convert certain nontolled state highways to toll projects based on the number of lanes on the highway or other specific lanes. SB 1143 amends current Transportation Code by prohibiting the department from converting high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes into tolled lanes.
While the development of toll roads may be a tool in the process of alleviating public traffic concerns, the state highway system is funded and paid for by the Texas taxpayers. The conversion of these taxpayer funded roadways into toll projects is fiscally irresponsible.
Although tolling entities might work with the Department of Transportation in order to complete the construction of a project, the entity should be self-sustaining and not rely on additional tax payer funded support to operate the entity.
We support the reduction of the size and scope of government spending by restricting the use of funds available for the construction and acquisitions of toll facilities. Under our limited government principle, we support SB 1143.