Proposition 7 will be on ballots statewide Nov. 3, giving voters say over a constitutional amendment that would provide $2.5 billion annually to the State Highway Fund in 2018, an amount that could rise to more than $3 billion by fiscal year 2022.
The proposition is tied to Senate Joint Resolution 5, which was authored by state Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville. Gov. Greg Abbott signed the bill June 1.
“I am very excited that the House, Senate and governor were able to come together on SJR 5, which is critical for the future of transportation in our state,” Nichols said. “If passed by the voters, it would be the largest single increase in transportation funding in Texas history.”
If approved by voters, SJR 5 would start redirecting $2.5 billion of general sales tax revenue to the SHF starting on Sept. 1, 2017. However, the money would only be redirected if sales tax revenue exceeds $28 billion.
In 2019, a portion of motor vehicle sales and rental tax would also start being redirected to the SHF. After the first $5 billion in tax revenue is collected, 35 percent of all additional car sales and rental tax revenue would go to the SHF. That 35 percent is expected to translate to roughly $500 million to $600 million for TxDOT in 2020, according to TxDOT estimates.
Escalating needs
Last November, voters passed Proposition 1 with 80 percent approval, funding transportation with an additional (it will be less next year due to declining oil and gas revenue) $1.7 billion this year from the Rainy Day Fund.
Even with Proposition 1 approval, transportation funding still fell vastly short of what was needed to keep up with demand and population growth, said Veronica Beyer, director of media relations for TxDOT.
“As Texas grows by more than 1,000 people daily, we are seeing more congestion and therefore an increasing need to build, repair and maintain our roadways,” Beyer said.
Local impact
Although no specific projects have been identified yet for Proposition 7 funding, TxDOT’s reconstruction of US 75 from the Sam Rayburn Tollway to I-635 is a top priority from a statewide, regional and county perspective, said District 67 state Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano.
A corridor study has been done on the project but funding has not been secured, said Ryan LaFontaine, public information officer for TxDOT.
“We are waiting [on] further input from stakeholders. [It’s] probably too soon to speculate on specific funding for this project,” he said.
In order to be considered for Proposition 1 and Proposition
7 funding, however, state and local leaders must build a united consensus concerning the specific layout of this entire stretch of highway, Leach said.
“Our work to fully fund our transportation infrastructure needs never ends,” he said. “Doing nothing would be devastating to both our region and our state. That’s where leadership comes in.”
Funding has been secured for the $48 million widening project with extends from Spring Creek Parkway to the Sam Rayburn Tollway, which will add two lanes in both direction, and widen the frontage roads to three lanes. This portion of the project is expected to be complete in early 2017. Funding has also been secured for updating the interchange at the President George Bush Turnpike and is set to go out to bid in November, according to TxDOT.
