Texas Senator John Cornyn, Senator Ted Cruz, and Congressman Chip Roy filed the Highway Formula Fairness Act this week to ensure that Texas and other states receive their fair share of infrastructure funding via the federal Highway Trust Fund.
Texas, a so-called donor state, has long paid more in taxes to the federal government than it receives back in funding to support a variety of programs and services such as healthcare and education. Currently, Texas receives a less than 95 percent rate of return on its contribution to total deposits paid into Highway Trust Fund. Texas contains more interstate miles than any state in the country and this bill will provide the critical funding necessary to support the infrastructure our state needs to continue thriving.
For years, we have supported efforts to correct Texas’ donor state status. Most recently, the Chamber, in collaboration with former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and Romer Chamber Chairman Henry Cisneros collected responses from the San Antonio and Bexar County region regarding Infrastructure projects in our community. Among the responses, improved transportation funding and support were identified as necessary resources for these projects to be successful.
We thank Senators Cornyn and Cruz and Rep. Roy for their leadership on this issue. The Chamber looks forward to seeing how the Highway Formula Fairness Act will support our state and San Antonio infrastructure projects, and we will continue to push for legislation that supports our federal priorities.
For more information, contact Stephanie Reyes, VP of Public Policy at sreyes@sachamber.org or by phone at 210-229-2162.
