State Representative Terry Canales, Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation, passed one of his top priority bills into law when the Governor signed it on June 18.

House Bill 2219 reauthorizes the state to utilize fully the Texas Mobility Fund (TMF), which is a flexible revolving fund approved by Texas voters in 2001 that can be spent on many forms of transportation infrastructure and public transportation systems, including rail and transit. The Texas Legislature limited the use of the TMF in 2015.

Chairman Canales filed HB 2219 in response to the urgent need for additional transportation revenue in Texas. While the Texas population is around 28 million today, it is growing at a rate of approximately 1,100 every day. By 2050, only 30 years away, the state population is forecasted to be around 47 million. During that same time frame, transportation infrastructure revenue streams are projected to either peak or decline unless transportation funding continues to be prioritized.

“The need for the Texas Mobility Fund is clear, and I am pleased that it has now been signed by Governor Abbott,” said Chairman Canales. “Texas leaders are underfunding transportation infrastructure by approximately $7.2 billion every year, and the issue has not been prioritized highly enough,” he continued. “In the spring, Texans experienced the consequences of our state leaders underinvesting in our energy grid, and the state is doing the same in transportation; however, the consequences are felt differently,” explained Canales. “Texans all across the state face unprecedented congestion and have long commute times, and businesses have longer commercial delivery times— all significantly impacting our Texas economy,” he said. “HB 2219 gives the state the opportunity to obtain, without raising fees or taxes, over billions in additional transportation funds in perpetuity that can be spent on highway infrastructure and public transportation. This is about ensuring that our next generation of Texans are prepared by making these long-term investments, and we are taking a positive step forward with my bill,” he continued.

To review the legislation, please visit the Texas Legislative Online System.

Rep. Terry Canales, D-Edinburg, is the Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and a member of the Sunset Advisory Commission. Rep. Canales represents House District 40 in Hidalgo County, which includes portions or all of Edinburg, Elsa, Faysville, La Blanca, Linn, Lopezville, McAllen, Pharr and Weslaco. He may be reached at his House District Office in Edinburg at (956) 383-0860 or at the Capitol at (512) 463-0426.