Funding for Texas roads has changed substantially in the past couple of decades. What have the changes been, and how have Texas legislators’ views on taxes been a primary cause?

What will be an ideal response?

Texas legislators see great political benefit to opposing tax hikes in a state of similarly minded voters. Although this is politically successful, it may be at odds with the demands that having a rapidly growing population places on the roadway needs for the state. Abandoning the pay-as-you-go requirements in transportation funding has allowed the state to issue bonds to build and maintain roads, borrowing money that is to be paid back by residents. Also, public-private partnerships have given a market incentive to private companies to build and maintain roads with private money to be recouped with tolls and fees. The net result is a shift away from taxes paying for road costs to a system of loans and fees.