Highway Funding Crunch

•  Current fuel taxes do not cover the cost of Texas roadways, nor will they cover future investment requirements.

•  None of the conventional alternatives will close the funding gap.

o Stopping diversions and recovering Texas' full share of federal funds will be helpful, but the amounts are far too small to cover the funding gap

o Indexing and raising the state motor fuel tax could close a significant portion of the gap, but only in the short term

o Higher taxation of fuel is not a reliable longer-term source for highway funding due to technological advances, changes in driving habits and other policy considerations mandating lower fuel consumption (environmental, national security).