A measure proposed for the upcoming legislative session would help protect taxpayers from being double taxed in areas of State Highways 99 and 146.
State Rep. Briscoe Cain (R-Deer Park) proposed House Bill 904 after the Texas Department of Transportation announced it terminated its contract with the private firm operating State Highway 288 toll lanes in the Houston area.
According to TxDOT, the state will acquire a $4 billion asset for $1.7 billion over eight years, providing “future toll relief and additional free general purpose lanes for drivers.”
However, Cain criticized this on X, “Buying a toll road with taxpayer money and then charging tolls to those same taxpayers is ridiculous.”
Cain’s proposal would prevent the state from double-tolling taxpayers on the part of Highway 246 over the Houston Ship Channel, as well as Highway 99’s Cedar Bayou Crossing intersection with Highway 146.
Currently, the Republican Party of Texas platform calls for the Legislature to “abolish existing toll roads and prohibit future construction, returning responsibility for road construction and maintenance to the appropriate jurisdiction.”
The Texas Legislature’s 89th regular session begins on January 14, 2025.
