Federal Rate of Return for Texas
Texas has historically been, and continues to be, the biggest donor to other states when it comes to federal highway funding. The current issue is the result of funding distribution formulas set by Congress with formula inputs that are 10 years or more out of date. This page provides resources for citizens and elected officials to help provide further information on this important issue for Texas.
- Watch: Transportation Funding Press Conference – April 24, 2019
- Texas Congressional Delegation Letter on Rate of Return - March 26, 2019
- White paper: Federal Rate of Return – FY 2021 Update
- In the news: Texas Is Once Again the Only Highway “Donor State” As FHWA Distributes $42B in FY19 Funding (Eno Transportation Weekly)
2020 Federal Highway Trust Fund
Texas Gives $4.24B in federal fuel taxes and other deposits; Additional general fund tax $$
Texas Gets Back $4.03B
Texas contributes more to the Federal Highway Trust Fund than any other state, and receives proportionately less than any other state. *Specifically, the Highway Account of the Highway Trust Fund.
Texas deserves its Fair Share!
- Texas contributes 11.38% of the total fuel tax deposits to the Highway Trust Fund (HTF), yet receives only 9.29% of the total funding back.
- Texas receives a rate of return of only 81.68%—lower than every other state.
- Texas effectively receives none of the billions in revenues from the general fund transferred to the HTF.
The federal funding formulas that determine what each state receives:
- Have had formula inputs frozen since 2009 and census data frozen since 2000.
- Continue to reflect extra funds states received in congressional earmarks in 2009.
#FairShare4TxRoads www.txdot.gov/FederalFairShare