Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-11-14
Highway Legislation

The Texas legislature, which convenes January 8,
will have two distinct plans for financing a state high
way system presented for consideration. The Sterling
plan, which contempIates a $1,000 900 state bond is-
sue, 70 finance the immediate completion Of the state
system, Is expected to have many supporters, as will
also the plan Of Representative Leonard Tillotson Of
Sealy, who proposes a "psy-as-you-go' program.
Both plans are based upon a accent gasoline tax,
supplemented by a motor license fee, the latter based
upon practically the same law as now in effect so far
as differentiating between motor vehicles of varying
horsepower is concerned.
Both plans contemplate tire state taking over the
bonded indebtedness of the counties incurred to finance
their respective portions Of state hg way construction.
Tillotson proposes that the ~s7o,ooo,ooO Of county bonds
issued for this purpose in Texas. be redeemed By ap-
plying the motor license fees to the interest and sink
ing fund. The Sterling plan proposes retirement of
these bonds with state bonds, the motor license fee 20
revert to the counties for the construction Of feeder
highways.
According to Representative Tillotson a 4-cent gas
oline tax. after deducting the o~ne-fourth which would
goto the state school fund in accordance with the con-
stitutional provisions, and adding ~si,500,OOO federal
aid, would provide the state with approximately $685.
100000 for maintenance and construction in 1929. De
this amount 100000 would be required for mainte-
nance, leaving S1l6,O00.OoO for new construction.
II Is very doubtful, however. IL this would meet the
demands Of the rapidly growing state. The amount is
large, but not sufficient to provide the highway sys.
TENS required without undue delay. There are hun
dreds of connections to be constructed in order 10 at.
tain maximum efficiency for those highways already
completed and which the state would take over, and It
should be the objective Of every Texas community to
close these gaps Immediately.
Under the Sterling plan tho state would have ample
funds to proceed with development Of the highway
system. 1t is frye the state would be paying 4 per
cent interest upon those funds, the interest and sink
ing fund to be derived from the gasoline tax, but it is
hardly logical to presume that those highways would
not be worth to the state at least 10 per cent upon the
money invested. Careful investigation has disclosed
that well constructed and properly connected highway
systems pay n annual return Of IS per cent upon the
investment. This is based upon the reduction in trans
portation costs, including reduction in cost Of motor
vehicle upkeep, and fuel, and does not take into con-
Alteration such items as saving of time, the convent
.ree Of paved highways and the benefits which accrue
- property owners, especially farmers who are pro-
vised convenient access to markets.
rnasmuch rs the Sterling plan does not contemplate
rl.e;rv a burden upon real property, the bonds to be
.ovsr,d by the gasoline tax. there will be no added
cost 70 the taxpayer. On the other aand the taxpayer
Ill he relieved Of the burden Of county bonds issued
<or the purpose of constructing highways which have
h.sr incorporated into the state system.
One feature Of both plans will meet the general ap-
rr,vsI Of the people, and that is they propose to fl
nance the highways system by = gasoline tax. whether
80. 4. /, a. A. or scent tax does not matter materially
no long as 1t il spilled to highway construction. Inc
- taxpayer 10 tired Of digging up taxes for high
-r.h az more benefit, and will welcome any legislation
-. iii Mace the burden upon motor vehicles where
u belongs