Ports-to-Plains Alliance Supports Transportation Advocates of Texas

Transportation Advocates of Texas is a coalition of businesses, individuals, associations, chambers of commerce, economic development entities and local governments from across the state working to improve transportation in Texas.  By collectively pushing for sustainable, long term financing solutions, TAoT members made gains in the 83rd Legislative Session. 

Transportation Advocates of Texas Members Made It Possible

TAoT members’ e-mails, testimony, and financial support helped Transportation Advocates of Texas to successfully lobby the legislature under serious budget constraints to:

• Ensure funding for new projects until at least 2014 by authorizing the remaining $3 billion of bond authority approved by voters in 2007.
• Allow local governments to use a portion of sales tax or property tax revenues for infrastructure including transportation projects through the creation of the Transportation Reinvestment Zones (TRZs).
• Allow some project to move faster through the process by providing additional Comprehensive Development Agreements (CDAs).

Keep the Momentum Going

Despite these solid achievements during this first session, the work is far from done.  Texas still lacks a sustainable, long-term source of revenue to meet the demands of population growth and that maintains the state’s position as the leading job producer in the nation. 

This next year TAoT will:

1. Engage during the interim, influencing committee charges and supporting transportation studies, to ensure the legislature stays focused on implementing a long-term, stable source of additional revenue.
2. Build a network of organizations and associations to share information and encourage participation in state and local transportation issues.
3. Identify more regional and statewide leaders to carry the message both to the public and to Texas’ elected officials
4. Work with the new leadership at TxDOT to ensure that new legislation is implemented and the funding is distributed.

Transportation Advocates of Texas invites you to learn more about the organization at a reception during the upcoming Texas Transportation Forum. New Texas Transportation Commission Chair Ted Houghton will be Texas’ special guest speaker.

TAoT is expecting a great year in 2012.  Working together to secure transportation resource that will enhance mobility, improve air quality, relieve gridlock, improve connectivity and safety, maintain existing infrastructure, and energize the Texas economy.  For more information go to www.texastransportation.org.