AUSTIN, TEXAS ( (AP) -- A state-sanctioned committee gave Texas a failing grade for its highway system, and warned congestion is only going to get worse.
The 2030 Committee presented the findings to the Texas Transportation Commission Thursday morning. The committee warned commission members that Texans have a choice, either raise the gas tax to pay for better highways, or spend more time sitting in traffic.
The Transportation Commission asked a group of business leaders and traffic experts to study the highway system. Several commission members complained that the state's gas tax is too low, and therefore there's not enough money to improve roads.
Texas lawmakers are already battling a $27 billion budget shortfall. Conservatives who control the Legislature so far have refused to raise any taxes to pay for roads or other state services.
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