Issue Position: Transportation

Issue Position

As a limited-government conservative, I support a flatter and fairer tax code which doesn't burden American families and stifle economic growth. As the Mayor of Heath, TX, I refused to raise taxes even once during my eight years in office. As your Representative in Congress, I plan to continue the fight against tax increases on the federal level. Upon being elected, I signed the Federal Taxpayer Protection Pledge vowing to defend taxpayers against legislative efforts to raise the federal income tax on individuals or employers, and I will take this commitment very seriously.

An increase of the federal fuel tax has been mentioned recently in the context of the broader discussion about renewing funding for the Highway Trust Fund (HTF), which funds much of our nation's highway system and mass transit. This includes the construction and maintenance of many roads and bridges throughout the country. Congress most recently extended funding for the HTF in August of 2014, and that funding is expected to expire in May. Ninety percent of the HTF is funded through the fuel tax, and the fund regularly spends more than it collects in taxes. Since 2008, more than $53 billion has been taken from the Treasury's general fund to prevent shortfalls. Proposals have been made to increase the federal fuel tax to help address the growing spending deficit. Others have discussed restructuring the HTF entirely or shifting costs to the states. While no formal legislation has been proposed on this matter to date, I will stay mindful of this issue when it is brought up for debate before Congress.

The unnecessary complexity of our tax code has many unintended consequences -- namely a bloated IRS that has been plagued by scandal and inefficiency. I recently cosponsored the Tax Code Termination Act (H.R. 27) which would terminate the vast majority of the Internal Revenue Code and the bureaucracy that comes with it.

On Taxes and Toll Ways in Texas:

The determination of funding for roads within a state varies based upon the type of road. State and interstate roads, while frequently utilizing federal funds such as the federal gas tax, are administered by the state and local government within federal guidelines. These guidelines provide broad discretion for determination of use of funds on a given road as the federal, state, local, private, and toll revenues are applied.

While gas taxes are collected for road maintenance and construction, factors including inflation, improved mileage on car models, and an aging infrastructure have limited the availability of these taxes to cover overall maintenance costs. As a result, states have had to develop alternate funding mechanisms to fund new road construction in states and municipalities where growth requires further expansion beyond the current highway capacity.

Jurisdictionally, there are several tools, including tolling, that the State Legislature has allowed the Texas Department of Transportation and local governments to exercise in order to meet this demand. While I would be happy to be of service to you, your concern is a matter over which the State of Texas has jurisdiction. As you may know, financing for Texas roads are determined based on governing legislation by the Texas State Legislature that includes your State elected officials. For your reference, I have enclosed contact information for your State Representative and State Senator should you wish to contact them directly to voice your concerns over the taxes you are paying.

For more information concerning work and views related to Transportation, please contact our office.

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