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To see what we鈥檙e following in other categories, go <a href="/web/20150331181542/http://txlege.texastribune.org/">here</a>.</p> </header> <div class="share-page"> <ul> <a href="/web/20150331181542/http://txlege.texastribune.org/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#0b34787e69616e687f365f636e2e393b5f6e736a782e393b5f7962697e656e2e393c782e393b5f6e736a782e393b476e6c6278676a7f627d6e2e393b4c7e626f6e2eX3A%20Transportation&body=I%20read%20about%20a%20topic%20that%20you%20might%20be%20interested%20in%20at%20The%20Texas%20Tribune%3A%20Transportation%0A%0Ahttp%3A%2F%2Ftxlege.texastribune.org/topics/transportation/"> <li class="email"><i class="fa fa-envelope"></i></li> </a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150331181542/https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Check%20out%20%40TexasTribune%E2%80%99s%20list%20of%20the%20top%20transportation%20issues%20for%20the%2084th%20%23txlege%20http%3A%2F%2Ftxlege.texastribune.org%2Ftopics%2Ftransportation%2F" title="share on Twitter" class="social-share" target="_blank"> <li class="twitter"><i class="fa fa-twitter"></i></li> </a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150331181542/https://www.facebook.com/dialog/share?app_id=154122474650943&display=popup&href=http%3A%2F%2Ftxlege.texastribune.org%2Ftopics%2Ftransportation%2F&redirect_uri=http%3A%2F%2Ftxlege.texastribune.org%2Ftopics%2Ftransportation%2F" title="share on Facebook" class="social-share" target="_blank"> <li class="facebook"><i class="fa fa-facebook"></i></li> </a> </ul> </div> </section> <div class="ad-container banner-ad top" id="div-gpt-ad-1406570316312-0"> <script> googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1406570316312-0'); }); </script> </div> <section> <article class="top-issues"> <header> <h2 class="sub-section-header">Top issues</h2> </header> <ul class="serif"> <li><a href="/web/20150331181542/http://txlege.texastribune.org/topics/transportation/#dedicating-car-sales-taxes-to-the-highway-fund">Dedicating car sales taxes to the highway fund</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150331181542/http://txlege.texastribune.org/topics/transportation/#ensuring-all-gas-tax-revenue-goes-to-the-highway-f">Ensuring all gas tax revenue goes to the highway fund</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150331181542/http://txlege.texastribune.org/topics/transportation/#banning-texting-while-driving">Banning texting while driving</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150331181542/http://txlege.texastribune.org/topics/transportation/#reviewing-state-policies-on-toll-roads">Reviewing state policies on toll roads</a></li> </ul> </article> <article class="curator-list"> <header> <h5 class="sub-section-header">Curated by</h5> </header> <div class="curated-by"> <img clas="headshot" src="https://web.archive.org/web/20150331181542im_/http://s3.amazonaws.com/static.texastribune.org/media/profiles/batheja-aman_jpg_131x197_crop_q100.jpg"> <p class="emphasis">Aman Batheja</p> <p class="sub-text"></p> </div> </article> </section> <section class="issue-box"> <section class="issue-prose"> <header id="dedicating-car-sales-taxes-to-the-highway-fund"> <h3 class="issue-card-title"> <a href="/web/20150331181542/http://txlege.texastribune.org/topics/transportation/dedicating-car-sales-taxes-to-the-highway-fund/">Dedicating car sales taxes to the highway fund</a> </h3> </header> <p>Since 2013, lawmakers have been seriously looking at<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150331181542/http://www.texastribune.org/2012/10/16/vehicle-fee-hike-among-top-plans-roads-funding/"> dedicating the sales taxes currently collected on vehicle sales</a> to road construction and maintenance. That revenue stream now flows into the state’s catch-all general revenue fund. Gov. Greg Abbott has <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150331181542/http://www.texastribune.org/2014/12/09/abbott-plans-add-4-billion-road-funding/">proposed</a> dedicating two-thirds of the sales tax collected, or more than $2 billion a year, to the highway fund. Supporters note that the revenue stream would grow as inflation causes the price of cars to go up in the future. Some Democrats have expressed concern that dedicating such a large amount of funds to transportation will provide lawmakers less options to deal with other needs, such as education, in the future.</p> <p class="update-time">Updated: March 5, 2015</p> <section class="related-legislation"> <header> <h5 class="sub-section-header">Relevant legislation</h5> </header> <ul class="sans"> <li><a href="/web/20150331181542/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB469/">HB 469</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150331181542/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/SB5/">SB 5</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150331181542/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/SJR5/">SJR 5</a></li> </ul> </section> </section> <section class="related-content"> <header> <h5 class="sub-section-header">Story timeline</h5> </header> <ul class="story-timeline"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150331181542/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/04/measure-use-car-sales-tax-highways-teachers/">Senate Approves Funneling Car Sales Tax to Highways</a> <p class="pub-date">March 4, 2015</p> </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150331181542/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/25/nichols-car-sales-tax-plan-moves-senate-floor/">Nichols' Car Sales Tax Plan Moves to Senate Floor</a> <p class="pub-date">Feb. 25, 2015</p> </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150331181542/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/24/abbott-transportation-plan/">Abbott, Senate Leaders Tout Road Funding Plans</a> <p class="pub-date">Feb. 24, 2015</p> </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150331181542/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/04/patrick-backs-plan-boost-sales-tax-car-sales-roads/">Patrick, Nichols: Put Car Sales Tax Toward Roads</a> <p class="pub-date">Feb. 4, 2015</p> </li> </ul> </section> </section> <section class="share-box"> <p class="sub-text">Share this issue: <a href="/web/20150331181542/http://txlege.texastribune.org/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6a55191f08000f091e573e020f4f585a3e0f120b194f585a3e1803081f040f4f585a05044f585a1e020f4f585a525e1e024f585a260f0d0f504f585a2e0f0e03090bXting%20car%20sales%20taxes%20to%20the%20highway%20fund&body=I%20read%20about%20an%20issue%20that%20you%20might%20be%20interested%20in%20at%20The%20Texas%20Tribune:%20Dedicating%20car%20sales%20taxes%20to%20the%20highway%20fund%20%0D%0Dhttp%3A%2F%2Ftxlege.texastribune.org/topics/transportation/dedicating-car-sales-taxes-to-the-highway-fund/"> <i class="fa fa-envelope"></i> </a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150331181542/https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Issues%20of%20the%2084th%20%23txlege%3A%20Dedicating%20car%20sales%20taxes%20to%20the%20highway%20fund%20http%3A%2F%2Ftxlege.texastribune.org/topics/transportation/dedicating-car-sales-taxes-to-the-highway-fund/&via=texastribune" title="share on Twitter" class="social-share" target="_blank"> <i class="fa fa-twitter"></i> </a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150331181542/https://www.facebook.com/dialog/share?app_id=154122474650943&display=popup&href=http%3A%2F%2Ftxlege.texastribune.org/topics/transportation/dedicating-car-sales-taxes-to-the-highway-fund/&redirect_uri=http%3A%2F%2Ftxlege.texastribune.org" title="share on Facebook" class="social-share" target="_blank"> <i class="fa fa-facebook"></i> </a> </p> </section> <section class="issue-box"> <section class="issue-prose"> <header id="ensuring-all-gas-tax-revenue-goes-to-the-highway-f"> <h3 class="issue-card-title"> <a href="/web/20150331181542/http://txlege.texastribune.org/topics/transportation/ensuring-all-gas-tax-revenue-goes-to-the-highway-f/">Ensuring all gas tax revenue goes to the highway fund</a> </h3> </header> <p>As lawmakers try to address a multibillion-dollar shortfall at the Texas Department of Transportation, many remain frustrated that not all of the 20-cent state gas tax that Texans currently pay goes to road work. For those critics, ending those so-called gas tax diversions are a priority. Yet unwinding most of those diversions will be challenging.</p><p>Under the Texas Constitution, a quarter of state gas tax revenue goes to education. Undoing that provision would require voters approving a constitutional amendment.</p><p>Of the state gas tax revenue that does make it into the state highway fund, nearly all of it is used by the Texas Department of Transportation to fund road work or pay off debt. Still, more than $800 million in state highway funds went to other agencies in the current biennium. Nearly all of that went to the Department of Public Safety. Gov. Greg Abbott campaigned on ending gas tax diversions but a spokeswoman said <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150331181542/http://www.texastribune.org/2014/12/09/abbott-plans-add-4-billion-road-funding/">in December</a> that he plans to continue funding DPS through the gas tax. Some lawmakers hope to find another way to fund DPS.</p> <p class="update-time">Updated: Feb. 26, 2015</p> <section class="related-legislation"> <header> <h5 class="sub-section-header">Relevant legislation</h5> </header> <ul class="sans"> <li><a href="/web/20150331181542/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB129/">HB 129</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150331181542/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB202/">HB 202</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150331181542/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB373/">HB 373</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150331181542/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/SB61/">SB 61</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150331181542/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/SB139/">SB 139</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150331181542/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/SB184/">SB 184</a></li> </ul> </section> </section> <section class="related-content"> <header> <h5 class="sub-section-header">Story timeline</h5> </header> <ul class="story-timeline"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150331181542/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/24/abbott-transportation-plan/">Abbott, Senate Leaders Tout Road Funding Plans</a> <p class="pub-date">Feb. 24, 2015</p> </li> </ul> </section> </section> <section class="share-box"> <p class="sub-text">Share this issue: <a href="/web/20150331181542/http://txlege.texastribune.org/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#36094543545c5355420b625e5313040662534e574513040662445f544358531304065958130406425e531304060e02425e1304067a5351530c13040673584543445fXng%20all%20gas%20tax%20revenue%20goes%20to%20the%20highway%20fund&body=I%20read%20about%20an%20issue%20that%20you%20might%20be%20interested%20in%20at%20The%20Texas%20Tribune:%20Ensuring%20all%20gas%20tax%20revenue%20goes%20to%20the%20highway%20fund%20%0D%0Dhttp%3A%2F%2Ftxlege.texastribune.org/topics/transportation/ensuring-all-gas-tax-revenue-goes-to-the-highway-f/"> <i class="fa fa-envelope"></i> </a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150331181542/https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Issues%20of%20the%2084th%20%23txlege%3A%20Ensuring%20all%20gas%20tax%20revenue%20goes%20to%20the%20highway%20fund%20http%3A%2F%2Ftxlege.texastribune.org/topics/transportation/ensuring-all-gas-tax-revenue-goes-to-the-highway-f/&via=texastribune" title="share on Twitter" class="social-share" target="_blank"> <i class="fa fa-twitter"></i> </a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150331181542/https://www.facebook.com/dialog/share?app_id=154122474650943&display=popup&href=http%3A%2F%2Ftxlege.texastribune.org/topics/transportation/ensuring-all-gas-tax-revenue-goes-to-the-highway-f/&redirect_uri=http%3A%2F%2Ftxlege.texastribune.org" title="share on Facebook" class="social-share" target="_blank"> <i class="fa fa-facebook"></i> </a> </p> </section> <section class="issue-box"> <section class="issue-prose"> <header id="banning-texting-while-driving"> <h3 class="issue-card-title"> <a href="/web/20150331181542/http://txlege.texastribune.org/topics/transportation/banning-texting-while-driving/">Banning texting while driving</a> </h3> </header> <p>While dozens of Texas cities have passed texting-while-driving bans over the past decade, efforts to pass a statewide ban has failed repeatedly.</p><p>State Rep. Tom Craddick, R-Midland, has been the most outspoken supporter of a statewide ban, and has tried year after year to pass legislation outlawing it. Most other states already have a statewide law on the books.</p><p>In Texas, it is currently illegal to use a mobile device in any capacity while driving in a school zone. Drivers under 18 are also barred from texting and driving. This session, we'll see whether lawmakers have more success with a statewide ban. </p> <p class="update-time">Updated: March 5, 2015</p> <section class="related-legislation"> <header> <h5 class="sub-section-header">Relevant legislation</h5> </header> <ul class="sans"> <li><a href="/web/20150331181542/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB64/">HB 64</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150331181542/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB80/">HB 80</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150331181542/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB141/">HB 141</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150331181542/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB214/">HB 214</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150331181542/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/SB25/">SB 25</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150331181542/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/SB238/">SB 238</a></li> </ul> </section> </section> <section class="related-content"> <header> <h5 class="sub-section-header">Story timeline</h5> </header> <ul class="story-timeline"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150331181542/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/05/supporters-statewide-texting-ban-testify-capitol/">Texting is the "King of Distraction," Lobbyist Tells Lawmakers</a> <p class="pub-date">March 5, 2015</p> </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150331181542/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/02/03/zafirini-and-craddick-push-ban-texting-and-driving/">Families Urge Support for Texting-While-Driving Ban</a> <p class="pub-date">Feb. 3, 2015</p> </li> </ul> </section> </section> <section class="share-box"> <p class="sub-text">Share this issue: <a href="/web/20150331181542/http://txlege.texastribune.org/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d6e9a5a3b4bcb3b5a2eb82beb3f3e4e682b3aeb7a5f3e4e682a4bfb4a3b8b3f3e4e6b9b8f3e4e6a2beb3f3e4e6eee2a2bef3e4e69ab3b1b3ecf3e4e694b7b8b8bfb8Xg%20texting%20while%20driving&body=I%20read%20about%20an%20issue%20that%20you%20might%20be%20interested%20in%20at%20The%20Texas%20Tribune:%20Banning%20texting%20while%20driving%20%0D%0Dhttp%3A%2F%2Ftxlege.texastribune.org/topics/transportation/banning-texting-while-driving/"> <i class="fa fa-envelope"></i> </a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150331181542/https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Issues%20of%20the%2084th%20%23txlege%3A%20Banning%20texting%20while%20driving%20http%3A%2F%2Ftxlege.texastribune.org/topics/transportation/banning-texting-while-driving/&via=texastribune" title="share on Twitter" class="social-share" target="_blank"> <i class="fa fa-twitter"></i> </a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150331181542/https://www.facebook.com/dialog/share?app_id=154122474650943&display=popup&href=http%3A%2F%2Ftxlege.texastribune.org/topics/transportation/banning-texting-while-driving/&redirect_uri=http%3A%2F%2Ftxlege.texastribune.org" title="share on Facebook" class="social-share" target="_blank"> <i class="fa fa-facebook"></i> </a> </p> </section> <section class="issue-box"> <section class="issue-prose"> <header id="reviewing-state-policies-on-toll-roads"> <h3 class="issue-card-title"> <a href="/web/20150331181542/http://txlege.texastribune.org/topics/transportation/reviewing-state-policies-on-toll-roads/">Reviewing state policies on toll roads</a> </h3> </header> <p>Texas has undergone a toll road building boom over the last decade. The state now has more than 500 miles of tolled highways. In recent years, a growing number of lawmakers and residents have expressed interest in <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150331181542/http://www.texastribune.org/2014/07/04/perry-exits-texas-gop-shifting-away-toll-roads/">rethinking</a> the state’s embrace of tolls to pay for expensive highway projects. In the Dallas-Fort Worth area in particular, the proliferation of toll projects has drawn concerns that drivers soon won’t be able to make routine trips without using a toll road. Lawmakers are expected to consider restricting future toll projects this session.</p> <p class="update-time">Updated: March 24, 2015</p> <section class="related-legislation"> <header> <h5 class="sub-section-header">Relevant legislation</h5> </header> <ul class="sans"> <li><a href="/web/20150331181542/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB565/">HB 565</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150331181542/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB894/">HB 894</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150331181542/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB1183/">HB 1183</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150331181542/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB1350/">HB 1350</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150331181542/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB1734/">HB 1734</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150331181542/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB1837/">HB 1837</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150331181542/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/HB2611/">HB 2611</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150331181542/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/SB485/">SB 485</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150331181542/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/SB1240/">SB 1240</a></li> <li><a href="/web/20150331181542/http://txlege.texastribune.org/84/bills/SB1835/">SB 1835</a></li> </ul> </section> </section> <section class="related-content"> <header> <h5 class="sub-section-header">Story timeline</h5> </header> <ul class="story-timeline"> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150331181542/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/23/republicans-call-end-toll-roads-capital-rally/">Lawmakers Call for End to Toll Roads at Capitol Rally</a> <p class="pub-date">March 23, 2015</p> </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150331181542/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/03/22/legislature-tolls-facing-strong-opposition/">In Legislature, Toll Roads Facing Strong Opposition</a> <p class="pub-date">March 22, 2015</p> </li> <li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150331181542/http://www.texastribune.org/2015/01/22/lawmaker-calls-stripping-toll-road-firms-power-tak/">Bill Targets Toll Road's Power to Take Land</a> <p class="pub-date">Jan. 22, 2015</p> </li> </ul> </section> </section> <section class="share-box"> <p class="sub-text">Share this issue: <a href="/web/20150331181542/http://txlege.texastribune.org/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2f105c5a4d454a4c5b127b474a0a1d1f7b4a574e5c0a1d1f7b5d464d5a414a0a1d1f40410a1d1f5b474a0a1d1f171b5b470a1d1f634a484a150a1d1f7d4a59464a58Xing%20state%20policies%20on%20toll%20roads&body=I%20read%20about%20an%20issue%20that%20you%20might%20be%20interested%20in%20at%20The%20Texas%20Tribune:%20Reviewing%20state%20policies%20on%20toll%20roads%20%0D%0Dhttp%3A%2F%2Ftxlege.texastribune.org/topics/transportation/reviewing-state-policies-on-toll-roads/"> <i class="fa fa-envelope"></i> </a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150331181542/https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Issues%20of%20the%2084th%20%23txlege%3A%20Reviewing%20state%20policies%20on%20toll%20roads%20http%3A%2F%2Ftxlege.texastribune.org/topics/transportation/reviewing-state-policies-on-toll-roads/&via=texastribune" title="share on Twitter" class="social-share" target="_blank"> <i class="fa fa-twitter"></i> </a> <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150331181542/https://www.facebook.com/dialog/share?app_id=154122474650943&display=popup&href=http%3A%2F%2Ftxlege.texastribune.org/topics/transportation/reviewing-state-policies-on-toll-roads/&redirect_uri=http%3A%2F%2Ftxlege.texastribune.org" title="share on Facebook" class="social-share" target="_blank"> <i class="fa fa-facebook"></i> </a> </p> </section> <section class="newsletter-signup"> <header> <h4 class="sub-section-header">Sign up for our weekly digest of transportation coverage.</h4> </header> <div id="mc_embed_signup"> <form action="//web.archive.org/web/20150331181542/http://texastribune.us3.list-manage2.com/subscribe/post?u=3d0ce87edeeb6df90043897db&id=db002a8930" method="post" id="mc-embedded-subscribe-form" name="mc-embedded-subscribe-form" class="validate" target="_blank" novalidate> <div id="mc_embed_signup_scroll"> <div class="mc-field-group"> <label class="hidden" for="mce-EMAIL"></label> <input class="required input_neue" type="email" name="EMAIL" value="" placeholder="username@email.com"/> <input class="button" type="submit" name="subscribe" value="Subscribe"/> </div> <div id="mce-responses" class="clear"> <div class="response" id="mce-error-response" style="display:none"></div> <div class="response" id="mce-success-response" style="display:none"></div> </div> <div style="position: absolute; 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