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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution - 2000-R0070 - Tex-21 Coalition Legislation Support, Regular Meetings - 02/24/2000Resolution No. 2000-80070 February 24, 2000 Item No. 51 RESOLUTION WHEREAS, the outstanding leadership in Texas has created a business climate which has produced a diversified economy resulting in record growth throughout the state; and WHEREAS, Texas is the fastest growing state in the country growing at almost twice the national average, presently has a population in excess of 19 million, and is predicted to reach 33 million by the year 2025; and WHEREAS, the implementation of NAFTA has greatly increased the amount of goods transported on our highways and crossing the border with Mexico; and WHEREAS, the economic vitality and quality of life for all regions of Texas are interconnected by a multimodal network of transportation infrastructure; and hat the above growth, with the NAFTA traffic, has created a transportation challenge in Texas which imperils mobility, threatens economic development and the quality of life throughout the state; and WHEREAS, the safety, quality of life and economic opportunity of all Texans is adversely affected by an inadequate investment in the state's transportation network which limits access to employment, increases the cost of living and doing business, and WHEREAS, the Texas Department of Transportation does well with the resources it is provided, but is underfunded and is only able to address approximately 40% of necessary transportation improvements statewide, and Texas deserves to rank better than 45" among the states in transportation spending per capita; and WHEREAS, efforts undertaken by the Texas Transportation Commission, the Texas Transportation Funding Coalition, the Texas Border Infrastructure Coalition, and other coalitions during the 76'h Legislative Session deserve to be applauded for significantly raising the awareness of transportation funding shortfalls; and WHEREAS, the 77' session of the Texas Legislature must establish adequate funding of our state's transportation system as a top priority if Texas is to be able to provide the resources necessary to meet the challenges and opportunities to plan for our present and future growth in an appropriate fashion; and WHEREAS, Transportation Excellence for the 21st Century (TEX-21) is a coalition of public and private sector officials from all regions of the state whose efforts will create a comprehensive strategy to address multimodal transportation funding and air quality solutions to improve mobility, public safety, economic vitality and quality of life; and WHEREAS, on December 12-13, 1999, during a regularly scheduled TEX-21 statewide conference, representatives from every region of Texas including the Upper and Lower Rio Grande Valley, Central Texas, East Texas, the Permian Basin, West Texas, Southeast Texas, North Texas, and the High Plains have united to pursue a common objective; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LUBBOCK: THAT on December 13, 1999, in Laredo, Texas, members of the TEX-21 Coalition, of which Lubbock is a member, hereby pledge their support and unification for the development of a comprehensive transportation funding solution as a top priority for the 77`h Texas Legislature; and THAT said members, commit to continue developing and expanding a coordinated statewide effort that employs a comprehensive internal and external communications strategy, enlisting the support of all stakeholders to find a comprehensive solution; and THAT an official copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to the legislative and state leadership that represents said members; and THAT said members agree that regular meetings are a part of defining the solution and implementing action plans, and therefore agree to meet in cities throughout the state; and members also agree to meet during the 3' Annual Texas Transportation Summit, June 21-23, 2000, in Irving to announce the findings of TEX-21. Passed by the City Council this 24th day of February , 2000. Max Ince, Mayor Pro Tem APPROVED AS TO CONTENT: 4l)»� &14�- Tommy GonMez Managing Director Civic Services APPROVED AS TO FORM: r Mhii M. Knight Assistant City Attorney cp UdoarrEX-21.res February 14, 2000