Pickett pushes Proposition 1 at community meeting

State Rep. Joe Pickett held a community meeting Wednesday evening.

Pickett wanted to speak with El Pasoans about a proposed constitutional amendment that will be on the November ballot.

Proposition 1 if passed would use funds from the state’s gas and oil tax to fund Texas highway construction.

“There isn’t anybody who hasn’t seen the orange barrels and barricades. We’re doing a lot of transportation construction in El Paso,” said Pickett.

Pickett who serves on the House committee on transportation funding wants
El Pasoans to understand Proposition 1.

The proposition will take surplus funds from the oil and gas tax to fund state highway construction.

Pickett says the Texas Department of Transportation spends about $2 billion a year in transportation construction.

“What most people probably don’t realize(is that) that’s going to come to a screeching halt because for the last several years we’ve been doing it with borrowed funds and we are at the limit. We have no more capacity in those bonding capabilities,” said Pickett.

Pickett tells ABC-7 if Proposition 1 isn’t passed construction for future Texas highway projects could be pushed back several years.

“You will see the $2 billion drop in construction around the entire state of Texas so it can be pretty devastating,” said Pickett.

Pickett says if the proposition is voted for, the funds would cover a big chunk of construction costs starting next year.

“If this passes it means $1.75 billion in cash infused into TXDOT and a like number thereafter for years come so it’s a big deal it would basically replace the $2 billion we borrow a year,” said Pickett.

Pickett tells ABC-7 Proposition 1 would not add any new taxes, fees or debt.