North Texas Considers 10-Cent Gas Tax Hike

Increase would pay for commuter rail system, road repairs

Some politicians are considering asking voters to approve a tax hike of 10 cents per gallon to pay for transportation improvements.

The tax would raise $370 million to fund road repairs and construction along with a 200-mile long commuter rail system across North Texas.

North Texans had mixed reactions to the idea.

"I think we're taxed enough already, so I would have to say no," said Clarie Cressey, a Fort Worth teacher.

"I don't use rail, but road improvements -- we got a lot of crappy roads around here," said Andrew Thompson, who indicated he might consider voting for the tax.

The tax would only apply in the nine-county region that surrounds the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex (Tarrant, Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker and Rockwall counties). It was discussed Wednesday at the Tarrant Regional Transportation Coalition.

Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley said all of the money collected from the tax would be used for voter specified projects. Once the projects are completed and paid for, the tax would be lifted, he said.

November 2010 would be the earliest date the question could make it on a ballot.

Contact Us