Transportation continues to be a significant issue for the Chamber. We believe that a successful transportation infrastructure is vital to ensuring a successful Texas economy. The Austin Chamber will continue to monitor the progress of TxDOT's Grant Thornton audit recommendations and support the ongoing efforts for additional transparency and accountability of the agency. We are sensitive to the projected budget deficit facing the State however; we remain steadfast in the need for a supplemental and secure revenue stream for maintenance and future capacity.
Texas earned the reputation as having the nation's best surface transportation system. We know that if we are to remain the best State to do business, we need to plan for growth and creatively think of ways to continue to invest in our infrastructure and support TxDOT's effort to prepare for economic growth while enhancing safety, improving air quality and increasing the value of the state's transportation assets.
The Austin Chamber urges the Legislature to optimize existing funding sources and identify new funding sources for transportation, including but not limited to:
Any increase to the motor fuels tax rate above the current 20˘ should be directed 100% to transportation to the extent consistent with the Texas State Constitution.
We encourage the Legislature to determine which funding mechanisms will provide a sustainable funding source for road, rail and transit infrastructure to operate and maintain past investments and provide additional capacity for projected population and business growth. An implementation strategy should be identified.
The Legislature and TxDOT should work together to find an appropriate long-term revenue source to fund the Rail Relocation and Improvement Fund. Rail infrastructure is a key component of the State's transportation system and voters approved the creation of the Rail Relocation and Improvement Fund in November 2005. The 81st Legislature appropriated the funds in 2009, but the conditions required by the contingent appropriations rider have not been met to be certified or released for expenditure.
The Austin Chamber supports improvements to the state environmental process that timely and efficiently implements those provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act and other relevant federal and state statues. A long, lengthy environmental process can result in increased right-of-way costs and drawn-out project timelines for desperately needed infrastructure improvements.
The Texas Mobility Fund (TMF) provides the state with a creative mechanism to substantially leverage transportation dollars. It is estimated that for every $100 million allocated annually for the TMF, about $1 billion in bonding authority is created. The Austin Chamber urges the Legislature to identify additional and new revenue sources during the 82nd Texas Legislature for the Texas Mobility Fund.
Transportation Reinvestment Zones (TRZs) offer an important tool for generating local funding. The Austin Chamber supports uncoupling TRZs from the "pass-through" program.
The Austin Chamber supported the successful City of Austin Proposition 1 on the November 2010 ballot. The voters authorized $90 million for a variety of multi-modal mobility and public works projects.
As Travis County prepares for a possible November 2011 bond election and the City of Austin prepares for a possible November 2012 bond election, the Austin Chamber works with the region's transportation leaders to improve mobility and reduce congestion in Central Texas.