By Bill O'NeilCould a dip in to the Rainy Day Fund today mean more toll roads in Texas tomorrow? That's exactly what one citizens group said will happen if Governor Rick Perry's plan for using nearly two billion dollars from the fund on transportation projects is followed.
"Everything is being marked a toll raod--because there just simply is no more traditional funding to get our roads fixed--without having to rely on tolls and more debt" said Terri Hall with Texans Uniting for Reform and Freedom--though she told 550 KTSA News she does agree with the Governor's call to end the diversion of gas tax money away from use on roads.
"We have a long-term structural funding shortfall in roads--and even ending thegas tax diversions isn't going to make up for that gap" Hall said--seeing disaster looming if cash is moved from the Rainy Day Fund to highway constrcution projects.
"A one time infusion of cash does not help us with our long term road planning needs" Hall said--asking where the cash will come from for maintaining those roads that are built with that cash.
"A one time infusion of cash does not help us with our long term road planning needs" Hall said--asking where the cash will come from for maintaining those roads that are built with that cash.
"This means more toll roads--more private toll roads--like the foreign ownd toll road that opened on State Highway 130 last year" Hall said.
