Jul
2
Written by:
William Lutz
7/2/2009 11:15 AM
The Texas House of Representatives passed on second and third readings HB 1. The bill provides legislative authorization to issue $2 billion in bonds authorized by the Texas Constitution to build roads. The House made major changes to the bill that left committee.
Gone was the revolving fund that local governments can use to pay for infrastructure. The revolving fund could have been used for toll roads. On the floor the House adopted an amendment by Rep. David Leibowitz (D-San Antonio) that explicitly bans any use of the money to convert free roads to toll roads.
At least $1 billion of the fund has to be used for public free highways. The bill now goes to the Texas Senate for further consideration.