PROPOSITION 1 AND SELECTED TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS IN TARRANT COUNTY SOUTHEAST TARRANT TRANSPORTATION PARTNERSHIP OCTOBER 8, 2014 WHERE DOES FUNDING COME FROM? THE HIGHWAY TRUST FUND Established in 1956 Functions as an accounting mechanism • Cash in: excise tax on motor fuels, trucks, tires • Cash out: spending on highway and transit programs Made of two accounts • Highways • Mass Transit The future status of the HTF is uncertain • Changes in oil prices, the economy, and fuel efficiency all have major impacts on the HTF • Since September 2008, Congress infused the HTF with tens of billions to keep the account solvent TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM FUNDING BASICS Point of Collection* State Motor Fuel Tax Rates (Cents per Gallon) Gas/gasohol: 20.0 Diesel: 20.0 Diversions: Round 1 • • • • Federal Motor Fuel Tax Rates (Cents per Gallon) Gas/gasohol: 18.4 Diesel: 24.4 1/10 cent per gallon to EPA L.U.S.T. Trust Fund 1% General Fund Refunds for non-road use $7.3 million to County & Road District Fund 25% Education Federal Highway Trust Fund Fund 006 Highway Account Mass Transit Account REFUNDED Less Than Put In Diversions: Round 2 DPS Other State Agencies TxDOT Budget Plan, Maintain & Build Transportation Projects Portion Returned to Texas *The Federal Government also imposes taxes on large trucks/trailers, truck tires, and usage fees for large trucks. Portion Sent to Other States FUNDING SHORTFALLS • Transportation funding shortfalls exist across all levels of government (federal, state, regional, local) • Innovation and collaboration have become very important • Traditional funding sources are unreliable Shortfalls create project delays Priorities are forced to change • Highlights need to pursue alternative, innovative funding options Toll roads Public-private partnerships Managed (Express) Lanes PROPOSITION 1 Prop 1 will appear on the November 4, 2014, ballot for voter approval Proposed language: “The constitutional amendment providing for the use and dedication of certain money transferred to the state highway fund to assist in the completion of transportation construction, maintenance and rehabilitation projects, not to include toll roads.” ELIGIBILITY FOR PROP 1 FUNDING Eligible projects include: constructing, maintaining, and acquiring rights-of-way for public roadways other than toll roads Not eligible: • Toll roads or managed toll lanes • Programs (e.g., ITS, safety, signals, bicycle/pedestrian) • Transit projects GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF PROP 1 • Focus on large projects • Focus on projects on the interstate highway system, then other on-system projects • Few, if any, off-system projects • Seeking very traditional, roadway projects • Projects should be ready for construction “soon,” though not necessarily “shovel-ready” • Projects must be in the current mobility plan • While maintenance projects are eligible, they should not be a focus (except for in energy-producing areas) PROP 1 – ANTICIPATED FUNDING AMOUNTS • Anticipate $1.4 - $1.7 billion available statewide in first year • Dallas-Fort Worth region’s share would be approximately $200-300 million (in first year) • Annual allocations in the future, subject to legislative committee review of Rainy Day fund School Fund General Revenue 1 2 4 75 Percent 3 5 6 Source: Senator Robert Nichols, Chairman, Senate Transportation Committee 257 Percent8 Annual Severance Tax Allocation (Current Law) $3.0 $2.5 Billions $2.0 Rainy Day Fund $1.5 School Fund $1.0 General Revenue $0.5 $0.0 1 2 3 75 Percent4 5 6 Total Oil and Gas Severance Tax Collected Per Year Source: Senator Robert Nichols, Chairman, Senate Transportation Committee 7 25 Percent8 Annual Severance Tax Allocation (Proposed Amendment) $3.0 $2.5 Billions $2.0 Transportation Fund Rainy Day Fund $1.5 School Fund $1.0 General Revenue $0.5 $0.0 1 2 3 75 Percent4 5 6 Total Oil and Gas Severance Tax Collected Per Year Source: Senator Robert Nichols, Chairman, Senate Transportation Committee 7 25 Percent8 MAJOR ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS IN SE TARRANT COUNTY 12 13 4 15 16 17 QUESTIONS? Christie J. Gotti Senior Program Manager NCTCOG 817/608-2338 cgotti@nctcog.org 19