Government Affairs Update

All across the country major transportation projects have been halted as the nation faces an enormous transportation funding shortfall.  Consequently, Congress recently infused the federal Highway Trust Fund (HTF) with $7 billion in order for it to be solvent for the remainder of the fiscal year.

In Texas, the three largest transportation revenue sources from 2008 to 2009 were from the federal HTF ($6.49 billion), the Texas State Highway Fund ($5.3 billion), and bond revenues ($4.01 billion).  The Texas State Highway Fund, also known as Fund 006, revenue sources include reimbursements from the federal Highway Trust Fund, state motor fuels tax, and motor vehicle registration fees.  However, Texas, like other states, is struggling to advance high priority transportation projects as the federal HTF faces another possible deficit, construction costs continue to rise, and motorists opt to drive more fuel efficient vehicles. 

Given the funding challenges at both the federal and state levels, the NTTA plays a major role in meeting the mobility needs of the North Texas region.  The NTTA remains committed to building strong relationships with its regional partners to advance high priority projects and searching for potential funding opportunities that may help to advance these projects.
 
In an effort to lessen the funding shortfall, the 81st Texas Legislature authorized $2 billion in Proposition 12 bonds in which $1 billion was appropriated to the Texas State Highway Fund for non-tolled projects and $1 billion was appropriated to the State Infrastructure Bank to build both non-tolled and toll roads.  In Washington, Congress continues to develop new surface transportation legislation.  With no funding source identified, Congress will continue its ongoing debate on whether to adopt a six-year $500 billion surface transportation bill proposed by the House or to adopt a short-term 18-month extension bill of the existing surface transportation legislation as proposed by the Senate and President Obama's administration.