Quorum Report Daily Buzz Quorum Report Daily Buzz Login into the Quorum Report Subscribe toQuorum Report
Quorum Report Daily Buzz

March 10, 2015      4:56 PM

House is set to tap the brakes on Senate transportation plan

Budget writers in the lower chamber have yet to discuss a dedicated funding stream out of motor vehicle sales taxes

The Texas Senate’s fanfare of the creation of a permanent funding stream for transportation projects may not be met with equal enthusiasm in the House.

As the House closes out the budget article that contained the Texas Department of Transportation, there is no talk yet on creating a dedicated funding stream out of motor vehicle taxes, an idea that Senate Transportation Chair Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville, carried in the upper chamber.

The Senate passed what has been called the “double nickel” on March 4 – that would be the bill to dedicate a portion of the motor vehicles sales tax, along with a Senate Joint Resolution to be sent to the voters. Both carry the number “5.”

"Transportation infrastructure is a core function of government and its funding should be addressed," said Nichols at the time of the vote. "By dedicating a source of funding which is predictable, constitutionally dedicated, transportation related, independent of fuel source and able to adjust to inflation, we can continue to construct and maintain Texas' highway infrastructure."

By Kimberly Reeves