February 25, 2015 5:41 PM

Transportation plan is moving to the Senate floor despite huge reservations from GOP senators

Sen. Fraser is worried about tying the hands of future legislatures; tells newly elected Sen. Huffines to slow down a bit: "You've only been here about a month."

Two conservative Republican senators on Wednesday voiced great concerns about the Texas Senate leadership’s transportation plan before voting in committee to send it to the full Senate for a vote as soon as next week.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has made it a priority to constitutionally dedicate roughly half the state’s motor vehicle sales tax collections to roads. He has promised Senate action on it as soon as possible.

But, both veteran Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, and newly elected Sen. Bob Hall, R-Edgewood, said they are very worried about several aspects of the plan put forward by Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville.

During the committee’s morning hearing, Sen. Fraser said he had a "huge reservation" about tying the hands of future legislatures by removing their discretion over more than $2 billion to $2.5 billion in collections that currently flow into general revenue. "I have a real concern about us doing something that obligates a future legislature," Fraser said.

By Scott Braddock