The oracle has spoken. Dallas’ Sen. John Carona, transportation chairman, has set out his priorities in a highly anticipated letter to his colleagues.
The Quorum Report is calling it a Caronafesto, and it is rather thorough.
In it, he says he wants to pass a Constitutional Amendment to “end or begin systematic reduction” of the diversion of gas tax dollars for non-transportation uses. This is something he will have significant support for from the governor and leaders of the two houses of the Legislature. The trick will be how much of the $1.5 billion that is diverted every two years they will be able to restore in this session. A bill filed already in the Senate would restore just $150 million a year — not much.