State
BY HANNAH NORTON
Texas lawmakers propose toll changes, new high-speed rail line
What they're saying
“This session, there’s a real opportunity to improve quality of life—there’s education, there’s water, there’s transportation. Transportation requires signicant funding from the state ... so this legislative session, it’s
When the 89th Texas Legislature convened Jan. 14, state lawmakers had led dozens of bills that could adjust transportation policies directly a ecting Texans. Their proposals include creating a new high-speed rail line, allowing voters to approve future toll projects and increasing penalties for distracted driving. Sen. Sarah Eckhardt and Rep. John Bucy, both Democrats representing Austin, led legislation in November calling for a high- speed rail project that would link San Antonio, Austin and Dallas along I-35. Under Senate Bill 424 and House Bill 483, Texas would partner with a private entity to build and operate a new rail line that would reach at least 110 miles per hour. “The I-35 corridor is a major hub for work and recreation. ... You could live and work in Dallas, go to a meeting in Austin, have dinner in San Antonio, and be home in time to put your kids to bed,” Bucy said in a statement. Rep. Stan Gerdes, R-Smithville, led HB 1589, which would require voter approval for new toll projects. Beginning Sept. 1, toll entities would not be allowed to construct new toll lanes or roads unless authorized by voters in each county impacted by the project. Gerdes said commuters are “over-taxed as it is” and should have a larger say in toll projects they pay for. “They especially don’t need to pay another fee just to get to work and back home every day without sitting in trac for hours on end,” Gerdes said in a statement. “These projects need to be fully justied to the taxpayer.”
High-speed rail line proposal
Dallas
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important that our elected representatives give some emphasis and priority to transportation.” MUSTAFA TAMEEZ, BOARD MEMBER FOR
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TRANSPORTATION ADVOCACY GROUP IN HOUSTON
High-speed rail line
Austin
Also of note
State lawmakers have an estimated $194.6 billion available for general- purpose spending as they write the 2026-27 state budget, Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced Jan. 13. “When [taxpayer money] comes in to us to spend on roads and infrastructure, are we being responsible with it?” Rep. Caroline Harris Davila, R-Round Rock, said Dec. 12. “We all know that every new road we build, we are also responsible for the maintenance of that road, and that’s a continuing expense.”
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San Antonio
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Other notable legislation
House Bill 1357 , by Rep. Charles Cunningham, R-Humble, would set a $100-$200 ne for using a portable wireless device, such as a cell phone, while
operating a moving vehicle. The current ne is $25-$99.
SOURCE: TEXAS LEGISLATURE ONLINECOMMUNITY IMPACT
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