I applaud the Texas Transportation Commission for taking this important step toward reducing the congestion on roadways in the major metro areas of Texas – Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston.

Since I became a state senator, I made ending the diversions of transportation funding one of my top priorities. As lieutenant governor we ended the diversion of gas tax and made $1.3 billion available for reducing traffic congestion.

The Senate led the fight through Proposition 7, to help bridge the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) reported $5 billion annual shortfall. In 2018, TxDOT will receive $2.5 billion annually as a result of voters approving Prop 7. This proposition dedicates a portion of the general sales and use tax and the motor vehicle sales tax to the State Highway Fund. These funds were added with no new taxes or fees.

This has been a team effort and I am very proud of the Senate for passing the legislation that made this possible and finding solutions to a problem that affects every Texan.