NBC 5 is partnering with The Dallas Morning News, KERA and Telemundo 39 to produce in-depth reports about the race for Texas governor. We asked our viewers, readers and listeners to vote on the topics most important to them. For five days, we will report in-depth on each of those topics: education, immigration, health care, economy and infrastructure.
The fifth report is on infrastructure. Click here to see our report on Texas Sen. Wendy Davis.
Congestion, a major problem as Texas continues to grow.
But Attorney General Greg Abbott says he has a plan, and it will not cost you.
"I have a plan that will add more than $4 billion a year to build roads, to relieve all this traffic congestion that we are facing without, raising a single penny in taxes, fees, or tolls," said Abbott.
And many of you already shell out dollar after dollar on the many toll roads in the Metroplex.
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During the second Gubernatorial debate, Abbott again faced questions about tolls.
"Short and simple my plan does not include any toll roads," said Abbott.
So how does he pay for this?
"It is a three-part plan. One is, we have to stop all of these diversions of money that was intended to build roads, to be used for other purposes. Money that was sent to Austin to build roads must be used to build roads. Two, we take part of the oil and gas severance tax and dedicate it to building roads. Three, you take part of the sales tax that you are already paying when you buy a car or truck and use it to build roads those cars and trucks are driving on," explained Abbott.
This would all have to be approved by the legislature.
Attorney General Abbott also talked about his plan for water.
"As governor I will build the water projects we need to keep Texas with sufficient water, for decades to come," said Abbott.
That said, during a drought, and different water problems throughout the state.
"First thing we do is work on a regional basis. The solution for Dallas is going to be different from the Panhandle, different than what we need for South Texas." added Abbott.
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