Austin Chamber of Commerce Launches "Take On Traffic" and Supports Toll Roads

On 2/20/07, the Austin, TX Chamber of Commerce announced it's jumping into the hot topic of the day. In there press announcement (view announcement video), they claim to support a comprehensive transportation system which includes new roads, toll roads, express bus service and passenger rail.

On their website Takeontraffic.com, they blame population growth and lack of funding for the congestion. They state that in the Austin area, 500 new cars are added each week. As a cute way to illustrate the point, they have a counter of "New cars on the road in 2007" with a 20 minute clock counting backwards. At the end of each 20 minute cycle the counter increases.



Their message seems well balanced until they talk about FUNDING. On this subject, the Chamber seems to push Toll Roads while pointing out the negatives to all other funding options. It's disappointing to see this group so unfocused on fiscal responsibility with the current use of our tax dollars but so eager to push toll roads. They do mention that "clear policies and accountable leadership" are needed, but that does not appear to be the agenda they are pushing. I am eager to see proposals on fiscal responsibility but their "Accountability" page is currently empty and "Coming Soon".

Gas Tax -
CONS: add 30-50 cents/gal and could have a severe impact on lower-income residents and on the regional economy.

Sales Tax -
CONS: add 2 to 3 cents to current, Sales tax can be a volatile revenue source, going up and down dramatically depending on economic trends.

Property Tax (bonds) -
CONS: $200 a year for the next 20 years

Toll Roads -
CONS: NONE!
"The tolls collected on new roads like SH 130 pay back the bonds that financed initial construction. Once those bonds are paid off, tolls can be lowered to the level needed to simply pay for maintenance. [Not if they are run by private CORP for profit for 50-75 years!] Or they can be used to fund other needed projects — like sidewalks, bike lanes, or bus service — that help make up a comprehensive system.

Tolls have been controversial in Central Texas, especially for projects where new toll lanes would be built in existing highway corridors. (No project in Central Texas involves tolling existing highway lanes.) [FALSE - I used to be able to drive Mopac to I35 and North 183 to Cedar Park without a toll] Clear policies and accountable leadership are needed to make sure tolling is implemented wisely. However, compared to taxes, tolls have the advantage of only affecting the people who choose to drive on those roads, while still producing enough revenue to make a difference."