Roy, Cruz, and Cornyn Introduce Legislation to Ensure Texas Gets Fair Share of Infrastructure Funds

Last Thursday, I, along with several Texas Republicans in the House and Senate, introduced the Highway Formula Fairness Act, which would help ensure that Texas and other states receive a fairer share of infrastructure funding via the federal Highway Trust Fund (HTF).

Currently, 19 states, including Texas, receive a less than 95 percent rate of return on their contribution to total deposits paid into Highway Trust Fund. The legislation introduced Thursday would establish a minimum guarantee for fuel tax revenue received by states tied to the percentage of total monies paid into the fund.

Texas has historically been shortchanged by the Highway Trust Fund, even though it contains more interstate miles than any other state of the union. At the same time, our state also bears massive infrastructure burdens associated with trade agreements, energy production, and heavy border crossing. The legislation I have introduced with my dear friend, Sen. Cruz, will help states like Texas keep more of what we pay in to improve our critical infrastructure. Texans know what they need best, and it’s time we tell the bureaucrats in Washington to stay out of our lane.

In the House, I am joined by fellow Texas Republicans Ronny Jackson, Dan Crenshaw, August Pfluger, Brian Babin D.D.S., and Randy K. Weber. Companion legislation was simultaneously introduced by Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX), John Cornyn (R-TX), and Richard Burr (R-NC).

Upon introduction, Sen. Cruz said:

“Year after year, Texas contributes more to the Highway Trust Fund than any other state yet receives proportionately less than its contributions. It is a classic Robin Hood mentality and it needs to stop. I am proud to work with my colleagues to transform how the Highway Trust Fund contributions are distributed to promote a more balanced process for each state and so Texas receives its fair share.”

Sen. Cornyn said:

 “As the biggest donor in the country to the National Highway Trust Fund for several years running, Texas continues to be shortchanged out of our full share of funds. The Highway Formula Fairness Act will ensure every donor state, including Texas, receives every dime they are owed in federal highway funding and that Texas drivers will no longer be the victim of this unfair exchange.”

Similar legislation was previously introduced in the 114th and 115th Congresses by Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.).

Full text of the legislation is available here.