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

The Texas legislature. which convenes January s,
will have two distinct plans for financing q state high
way system presented for consideration. The Sterling
plan, which contemplates a S30O,OOO.0O state bond iz-
sue, to 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 "pay-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 the state taking over the
bonded Indebtedness Of the counties incurred to finance
their respective portions Of state hig way construction.
TillotsOn proposes thst the s~7o,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 %
revert to the counties for the construction of feeder
highways.
According to Representative Tilotson a Accent gas
cline tax. after deducting the o~ne-fourth which would
goto the state school fund in accordance with the con-
stitutional provisions, and adding S4.5O0,00O federal
aid. would provide the state with approximately $751;
100000 for maintenance and construction in 1929. Of
this amount 100000 would be required for mainte-
nance. leaving Sile.OOO.OOO for new construction.
1t is very doubtful, however, if this would meet the
demands Of the rapidly growing state. The amount is
SIX ia NV AAAf~NNh W A0Ff1N hC ~
TENS required without undue delay. There are hun
dreds Of connections to be constructed in order to at
tain maximum efficiency for those highways already
completed and which the state would take over, and IL
should be the objective Of every Texas community 70
close these gaps Immediately.
Under the Sterling plan the state would have ample
funds to proceed with development Of the highway
system. Il is true the state would be paying 4 per
cent interest upon those funds. the interest and sink
ing fund 10 be derived from the gasoline tax. but it Il
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
svstems pay n annual return Of Is per cent upon the
investment. This is based upon the reduction in trans
p~ortstion costs, including reduction in cost Of motor
v.hjcle upkeep, and fuel, and does not take into con-
~ideration such items as saving Of time, the convent
sree Of paved highways and the benefits which accrue
e. rroperty owners, especially farmers who are pro-
vided convenient access TO markets.
rnasmuch as the Sterling plan does not contemplate
rIacipr n burden upon real property, the bonds to be
~overed by the gasoline tax, there will be no added
.o.t "a the taxpayer. On the other 1and the taxpayer
w;u he relieved of the burden of county bonds issued
for the purpose Of constructing highways which have
heen incorporated into the state system.
One feature of both plans will meet the general ap-
rroval Of the people. and that Is they propose 70 IL
nance the highways system by q gasoline tax. "netner
80. !. , a.. A. or scent tax does not matter materially
No long as IL is applied to highway construction. Inc
1890 taxpayer Ia tired Of digging up taxes for high
ray Improvement Of which the non-taxpayers get as
,rueb or more benefit, and will welcome any legislation
that will place the burden upon motor vehicles where
Il belongs