While Governor Perry makes it seem that his only interest is good public policy, don't let him fool you.
Governor Perry is in a position where, for the second time this session, a high stakes/visibility piece of legislation is poised to go against him. In addition, both pieces of legislation have overwhelming support in both the Senate (27-4) and the House (139-1). Governor Perry claims that he will sign a moratorium, but not HB1892. I say that he's bluffing. He has no intention of signing any transportation changes into law, be it HB1892 (moratorium and other restrictions) or SB1267 (moratorium only). He knows its a matter of timing. If he is able to get HB1892 recalled, he'll the have the timing down to where a veto is impossible or may even be unnecessary.
Here is the bottom line. The house has yet to put SB1267 on the calendar and members of the calendar committee have said that it won't make it on the calendar. Perry is more than aware of this. He knows that if HB1892 is recalled he won't be forced to veto because it may not make it back to him before the end of the session. If it does make it back, he can wait till the session ends to veto it and avoid an override. He also knows SB1267 will never make it to his desk and he won't be forced to sign a moratorium. This is political gamesmanship of the worst kind.
Please call your Representative and make sure they know you support them in not bowing to Governor Perry's pressure. We were on offense but Perry is trying to put us on defense. Don't let that happen, we have the support needed to make this happen, regardless of what Perry thinks. Heck, he started the whole corridor and privatization concept, he's not going to admit he was wrong and end it or let it be studied in the light of day, as the moratorium calls for.
Don't let anyone fool you in to thinking that HB1892 doesn't do what we want. We want careful study of Texas Trsnsportation needs. We want local control of toll roads if toll roads are the only option. HB1892 gives us what we want.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
FHWA backs off of threats
In previous developments, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) had written a threatening letter, at the request of Mike Krusee, regarding HB1892. In the letter they expressed concern but not certainty that the provisions in HB1892 would cause Texas to lose Federal funding for highways. U.S. Senator Hutchinson, from Texas, wrote a letter back expressing her discomfort with a federal agency attempting to influence local state politics. Upon being challenged, the FHWA has now written a response to Senator Hutchinson saying that HB1892 can be implemented without jeapordizing federal funding.
So, why would a federal agency be interested in influencing local politics? They obviously were just blowing smoke because they quickly backed off from previous statements.
Here is my take on the reasoning. The Federal Highway Administration is like any other government agency. They are limited in the amount of funds they have to pass out for projects. You probably won't find any state that claims to get what it needs in funding from the federal agency. As such, there just isn't enough money to go around. When the FHWA saw the Texas model of funding roads through tolls and private capital, it saw a way to free up some of its funds for other uses. Now that the citizens of Texas have said a resounding NO to selling off roads, that source of alternate funding is going away. They were doing what they could to try to keep the alternate source of capital on the table. They were not interested in the benefit to citizens or making sure rederal rules weren't violated. They were simply protecting their budget.
So, why would a federal agency be interested in influencing local politics? They obviously were just blowing smoke because they quickly backed off from previous statements.
Here is my take on the reasoning. The Federal Highway Administration is like any other government agency. They are limited in the amount of funds they have to pass out for projects. You probably won't find any state that claims to get what it needs in funding from the federal agency. As such, there just isn't enough money to go around. When the FHWA saw the Texas model of funding roads through tolls and private capital, it saw a way to free up some of its funds for other uses. Now that the citizens of Texas have said a resounding NO to selling off roads, that source of alternate funding is going away. They were doing what they could to try to keep the alternate source of capital on the table. They were not interested in the benefit to citizens or making sure rederal rules weren't violated. They were simply protecting their budget.
Perry says legislature has no business making policy
Excuse me Mr. Perry, but that is exactly what our elected representatives are meant to do. They hear directly from constituents and that is why you are staring at HB1892.
I'm referring to this quote attributed to Perry in the Dallas Morning News.
"You shouldn't make transportation policy on the Senate floor or the House floor because it has great impact all over the state of Texas,"
See entire article here.
I say in response that you shouldn't be making public policy behind closed doors, as was done with the Trans Texas Corridor and your trend toward privatization of everything Texas. If our elected representatives are not supposed to make policy, then who? That's the legislative process. Perry is not the king. He is not the be all and end all of Texas politics.
Let me interpret this for everyone.
"I, Governor Perry, do not feel that the citizens, via their elected representatives, deserve a say in what goes on in their state. I am the boss. What I say goes. I did get 39% of the State to vote for me. Pay no attention to the fact that a large percentage of that was probably party-line voting because of the contentious elections. Pay no attention to the fact that 61% of Texans think that I'm a lousy Governor. Its my way or the special session on highways. Screw the veto, I'll just keep you working until you give me something I'm willing to sign. I'll be damned if I'm going to let a bunch of elected representatives listening to the citizens of the state endanger my many sizable campaign contriutions by those who stand to benefit from my one sided and narrow-minded policies."
I have a message for you Governor Perry. You are not the King. Most of Texas doesn't want you anywhere near Austin and politics. We all know who pays for you and your policies.
YOU ARE NOT MY GOVERNOR!
I'm referring to this quote attributed to Perry in the Dallas Morning News.
"You shouldn't make transportation policy on the Senate floor or the House floor because it has great impact all over the state of Texas,"
See entire article here.
I say in response that you shouldn't be making public policy behind closed doors, as was done with the Trans Texas Corridor and your trend toward privatization of everything Texas. If our elected representatives are not supposed to make policy, then who? That's the legislative process. Perry is not the king. He is not the be all and end all of Texas politics.
Let me interpret this for everyone.
"I, Governor Perry, do not feel that the citizens, via their elected representatives, deserve a say in what goes on in their state. I am the boss. What I say goes. I did get 39% of the State to vote for me. Pay no attention to the fact that a large percentage of that was probably party-line voting because of the contentious elections. Pay no attention to the fact that 61% of Texans think that I'm a lousy Governor. Its my way or the special session on highways. Screw the veto, I'll just keep you working until you give me something I'm willing to sign. I'll be damned if I'm going to let a bunch of elected representatives listening to the citizens of the state endanger my many sizable campaign contriutions by those who stand to benefit from my one sided and narrow-minded policies."
I have a message for you Governor Perry. You are not the King. Most of Texas doesn't want you anywhere near Austin and politics. We all know who pays for you and your policies.
YOU ARE NOT MY GOVERNOR!
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Pulling the trump card.
Did Governor Perry pull the trump card? Me thinks he did.
He has now threatened the legislature with a special session to fix what he considers are problems with HB1892. So, does King Perry believe that his options are now open to keeping the legislature in session until they give him legislation he agrees with? That's dirty politics if I've ever seen it. Let's hope lawmakers don't bow to his pressure.
Here is the story in the Austin American Statesman.
Make no mistake about it. Perry is not interested in avoiding what he calls 'very bad public policy for the state'. He is simply trying to protect his baby, private toll road contracts, which will amount to large and continuous campaign contributions.
He has now threatened the legislature with a special session to fix what he considers are problems with HB1892. So, does King Perry believe that his options are now open to keeping the legislature in session until they give him legislation he agrees with? That's dirty politics if I've ever seen it. Let's hope lawmakers don't bow to his pressure.
Here is the story in the Austin American Statesman.
Make no mistake about it. Perry is not interested in avoiding what he calls 'very bad public policy for the state'. He is simply trying to protect his baby, private toll road contracts, which will amount to large and continuous campaign contributions.
Monday, May 07, 2007
'King' Perry plays political games
Obviously, we need to thank our legislators for acting fast and getting the moratorium bill through. Now its up to Perry. And, he knows that very well. The member of his staff responsible for accepting legislation and starting the clock on his ten days to veto or sign legislation happened to conveniently be 'out sick' last Friday. As such, he gave Perry a couple of additional days on his timeline.
See the story below.
Perry plays political games.
Unfortunately, its all about politics and what Perry wants, in Perry's mind. It has nothing to do with what the people want. Perhaps Governor Perry needs to be reminded that he only won with 39% of the vote. That means that almost 2/3 of the people of Texas think he's a lousy Governor. Its episodes like this that make it all to obvious.
See the story below.
Perry plays political games.
Unfortunately, its all about politics and what Perry wants, in Perry's mind. It has nothing to do with what the people want. Perhaps Governor Perry needs to be reminded that he only won with 39% of the vote. That means that almost 2/3 of the people of Texas think he's a lousy Governor. Its episodes like this that make it all to obvious.
SB1267 out of Krusee's committee. Political Wrangling abounds.
Mike Krusee and Governor Perry, the only folks remaining in the way of our Corridor moratorium, have finally seen the writing on the well. They realize that the people of this state want to put a stop to the plans to sell us out to the highest bidder.
However, the reality is that they don't care. That is why Krusee reported SB1267 out of his committee. He's trying to muddy the waters and erode support for HB1892. Make no mistake about it, they don't want to lose. Make no mistake about it. Its the two of them against everyone else.
If Perry and Krusee have to pick between SB1267 and HB1892, they would rather have SB1267. Its a pick your poison situation. The senate bill is simply a moratorium. HB1892 does much more to weaken the allure of private capital in building our roads. In fact, the two of them are probably thinking that if they are able to get SB1267 to the Governor's desk, they will create confusion and they may even avoid a veto override and a moratorium altogether. Stay tuned and be reasy to contact your reps and reaffirm your support of a moratorium.
However, the reality is that they don't care. That is why Krusee reported SB1267 out of his committee. He's trying to muddy the waters and erode support for HB1892. Make no mistake about it, they don't want to lose. Make no mistake about it. Its the two of them against everyone else.
If Perry and Krusee have to pick between SB1267 and HB1892, they would rather have SB1267. Its a pick your poison situation. The senate bill is simply a moratorium. HB1892 does much more to weaken the allure of private capital in building our roads. In fact, the two of them are probably thinking that if they are able to get SB1267 to the Governor's desk, they will create confusion and they may even avoid a veto override and a moratorium altogether. Stay tuned and be reasy to contact your reps and reaffirm your support of a moratorium.
Monday, April 09, 2007
Contact Your Representative and Senator to advance private toll road Moratorium
Please contact your Senator and Representative and reinforce your support of the private toll road moratoriums. There is some political gamesmanship going on to attach the moratoriums to other bills or use the moratorium bills to advance other agendas and we need to make it clear that we expect a 2 year halt to private toll roads to be legislation enacted by the 80th legislature.
Monday, April 02, 2007
Contact Senator Carona and Representative Krusee to advance moratorium bills
Contact Senator John Carona and tell him you want action taken on SB1267, a two-year TTC moratorium bill that he has stalled in his committee.
P.O. Box 12068
Capitol Station
Austin, Texas 78711
(512) 463-0116
Fax: (512) 463-3135
Contact Representative Mike Krusee and tell him you want action taken on HB2772, a two-year TTC moratorium bill that he has stalled in his committee.
Room CAP 1N.9
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0670
Fax: (512) 463-1469
Both of these bills have more than 2/3 support in their respective houses and these two men are standing in the way of the will of the people.
P.O. Box 12068
Capitol Station
Austin, Texas 78711
(512) 463-0116
Fax: (512) 463-3135
Contact Representative Mike Krusee and tell him you want action taken on HB2772, a two-year TTC moratorium bill that he has stalled in his committee.
Room CAP 1N.9
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0670
Fax: (512) 463-1469
Both of these bills have more than 2/3 support in their respective houses and these two men are standing in the way of the will of the people.
Petition in support of House and Senate Moratorium bills.
We, the undersigned, strongly encourage the 80th Legislature to pass both of the above referenced bills by taking the action necessary to allow a vote by all members of the legislature on the floor of their respective chambers. A 2/3 majority in both the House and the Senate cosponsors these bills.
We request that the Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee, and more specifically, Chairman John Carona, allow a committee vote on SB1267.
We request that the House Transportation Committee, and more specifically, Chairman Mike Krusee, allow a committee vote on HB2772.
House Bill HB2772 and Senate Bill SB1267 call for a 2-year moratorium on the execution of comprehensive development agreements. In addition, the legislation provides for the creation of a study committee tasked with the job of developing a complete and thorough understanding of the scope and impact of Comprehensive Development Agreements and the privatization of our transportation infrastructure.
Our reasons for support of these bills are numerous. In general, we feel that the current direction TXDOT Is taking to address the transportation needs of Texas is the wrong direction. The current plan was developed by a small number of people with little input or alternative consideration. Our support for the moratorium is based on the belief that, with careful study and consideration, we can come up with a better plan for Texas’ transportation needs. These bills provide us time to conduct careful study and due diligence before we get to a point of no return on our current course.
We believe that the privatization of a public asset, toll roads, is the wrong direction for the future of Texas transportation. Through privatization, these roadways become corporate profit centers and not a public service. As such, these roadways will no longer be a service provided to citizens but a corporate revenue stream to be maximized to allow for the greatest profit potential. Consumers, citizens of the State of Texas, will be forced to pay a toll rate that does not just represent what is needed to maintain or improve infrastructure but one that also includes a profit margin for the private toll operator. This additional component, the profit margin, will never make it back to the State of Texas to provide additional needed transportation services. The State of Texas should not relinquish a public asset, roadways, to a private party. Every dollar of revenue generated should be reinvested in the public asset, our transportation infrastructure, and not be used to create private profits. For this reason, we oppose the current plan and strongly support the passage of HB2772 and SB1267.
We believe that the Trans Texas Corridor Plan currently being executed is not in the best interest of Texas. We do have real transportation issues. We do need to address them in a more proactive way. We do NOT believe that the Trans Texas Corridor addresses these needs. The majority of the urgent and future transportation needs in Texas are focused on major urban areas. This is where population growth and density are greatest and this pattern will continue to hold true, per studies provided by TXDOT. The existing corridor plan does nothing to address these needs and specifically avoids areas where mobility solutions are needed the most. It will actually worsen these problems by diverting resources from urban areas to more profitable and easily developed areas. For this reason, we oppose the current plan and strongly support the passage of HB2772 and SB1267.
We believe that the citizens of Texas deserve a seat at the table when developing ways to meet our current future transportation needs. We believe that our elected representatives have heard us. This is clear in the overwhelming support HB2772 and SB1267 currently have in their respective houses. We strongly encourage those who now stand in opposition to or have control over HB2772 and SB1267, which are both supported by an unmistakable majority of the citizens of this State and their elected representatives, to allow their passage.
We pledge our full support to CorridorWatch.org in their efforts to advance this cause.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Non-Compete Agreements...Stinks Something Awful
In my first post on this blog, I noted that I had a feeling that the TTC would actually cause worse traffic congestion. How? It would divert resources away from existing free roadways to the new tolled roadway. Why give someone something for free when you can make them pay for it? Well, after reading the TTC-35 agreement, I stumbled upon proof positive that this is the case. The foreign based developer anticipates the need for a non-compete clause in the agreement. In a nutshell, it means that the state will not be allowed to make improvements to free altneratives to Cintra's roadways. Basically, the State won't have the right to make the free roads any better for travelers, in hopes that travelers will bite the bullet in favor of the tolled road. It makes obvious sense for the developer. More money in their pocket. In the case of the TTC roads, most of which will parallel MAJOR INTERSTATE corridors, that is disastrous for commuters. That basically means that the State will stop trying to keep up with traffic congestion and just assume that people want to and can afford to pay $.15 a mile to drive the tolled road instead.
Just another reason why the TTC is a disastrous plan and needs to be stopped.
Just another reason why the TTC is a disastrous plan and needs to be stopped.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Get your windows stickers
Get your anti-TTC stickers, courtesy of CorridorWatch.org. Best of all, they are free! Just mail one or two self addressed, stamped envelopes to CorridorWatch.org at the address below. They will put two stickers in each envelope and mail them back to you. Visit CorridorWatch.org for more details.
CorridorWatch.org
Free Sticker Offer
Fayetteville, TX 78940-5468
Offer details available here.
Friday, October 06, 2006
Gubernatorial Debate tonight (10/6) 7:00 PM
Watch the Gubernatorial debate this evening. It starts at 7:00 PM on Channel 11 here in Houston. I'm not sure what channels it shows on in other areas but you can be sure that some local station will be carrying it where you are.
http://www.khou.com/news/state/stories/khou060918_mh_debatequestions.215601ea.html
If you'd like to submit questions to the candidates, you can can send the question in an email to questions@belo.com
http://www.khou.com/news/state/stories/khou060918_mh_debatequestions.215601ea.html
If you'd like to submit questions to the candidates, you can can send the question in an email to questions@belo.com
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
How Gracious of them....Financials being revealed.
Financial details of the Corridor have been released. More details will follow once I've had a chance to read through them and make sense of them. Stay tuned or feel free to read through them yourself. TTC website
One note of interest. I find it deceiving that on the TTC website, they say, "New TTC-35 Master Development Plan unveiled." It would be more appropriate to say something to the effect of, "Secret sections of our exclusive agreement with a foreign entity revealed as a result of public outcry and being told to do so by the courts after lots ot time stalling and hopefully not with enough time before the election to damage Governor Perry."
One note of interest. I find it deceiving that on the TTC website, they say, "New TTC-35 Master Development Plan unveiled." It would be more appropriate to say something to the effect of, "Secret sections of our exclusive agreement with a foreign entity revealed as a result of public outcry and being told to do so by the courts after lots ot time stalling and hopefully not with enough time before the election to damage Governor Perry."
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Submit Comments...Get Informed
The time period to submit comments for the TTC-35 segment has expired but you can still submit your comments. I'm not sure where the comments will go but I did verify this morning that you can still submit them. Please go to the State's website and submit your comments.
At the same time you can tell them to send you information when it is available. You can receive information via US Mail, email, or both. I suggest both.
Go to the links below and submit comments.
Trans-Texas Corridor I-35 Segment
Trans-Texas Corridor I-69 (parelleling TX Highway 59)
At the same time you can tell them to send you information when it is available. You can receive information via US Mail, email, or both. I suggest both.
Go to the links below and submit comments.
Trans-Texas Corridor I-35 Segment
Trans-Texas Corridor I-69 (parelleling TX Highway 59)
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Why would they want to do that?
At dinner this evening, I was introduced to someone who drives trucks for a living. He spends every day of the week traveling from Houston to Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, El Paso...you name the place, he drives there. After listening to him tell me how much time he spends on the road of Texas I couldn't help but get his opinion on the Trans-Texas Corridor. Who better to render an opinion than a person who spends all his time on the road driving a truck. The very type of person that Rick Perry and TxDOT would have you believe will benefit from this project. His response was alarming, revealing, and reassuring all at the same time. Read on for his response.
click here for more...
Again, let me make it clear. This person drives a big rig for a living. His livelihood depends on him making it from point A to point B and back again, IN TIME.
My Question to Him: "If I told you that you had two roads to choose from when making a trip from San Antonio to Houston, one was a toll road with lanes designated specifically for truck traffic and the other was the existing I-10, which would you travel and why?"
His Answer: "I would take the toll road. I make more money being their on time or early than if I get stuck in traffic and end up being late."
OK, I wasn't entirely happy with this answer but I pressed on...seeking his honest opinion.
My Question to Him: "OK, now what if I were to tell you that this toll road did not actually go into any major metro areas. In fact, the road made it a point to go around these metro areas at the outskirts of town. For example. The toll road paralleling I-10 would go no further in than Mason road in Katy, and the same true in San Antonio. It would go around the cities and not through them...BY DESIGN."
His Answer: "In that case, I wouldn't take the toll road. Why, the traffic isn't a problem until you get into the city. Not between San Antonio and Houston but in those towns is where traffic is a problem. No, I wouldn't take the toll road."
I spent the rest of our dinner conversation telling him about the Trans-Texas Corridor and the general point of his responses was one of utter disgust. He was in disbelief that a project as pointless as that would even be considered. At the end of the night, I still don't think he believed that something like the TTC even exists.
Bottom Line...this project makes absolutely no sense to a person who spends all their time traveling the roads of Texas. Not for pleasure, but to make a living. This is exactly the type of person that Rick Perry and TxDOT claim to be trying to help out with this project.
If that isn't proof enough, I don't know what is. Its time we put the brakes on the superhighway to nowhere, from nowhere, that noone will be traveling.
My Question to Him: "If I told you that you had two roads to choose from when making a trip from San Antonio to Houston, one was a toll road with lanes designated specifically for truck traffic and the other was the existing I-10, which would you travel and why?"
His Answer: "I would take the toll road. I make more money being their on time or early than if I get stuck in traffic and end up being late."
OK, I wasn't entirely happy with this answer but I pressed on...seeking his honest opinion.
My Question to Him: "OK, now what if I were to tell you that this toll road did not actually go into any major metro areas. In fact, the road made it a point to go around these metro areas at the outskirts of town. For example. The toll road paralleling I-10 would go no further in than Mason road in Katy, and the same true in San Antonio. It would go around the cities and not through them...BY DESIGN."
His Answer: "In that case, I wouldn't take the toll road. Why, the traffic isn't a problem until you get into the city. Not between San Antonio and Houston but in those towns is where traffic is a problem. No, I wouldn't take the toll road."
I spent the rest of our dinner conversation telling him about the Trans-Texas Corridor and the general point of his responses was one of utter disgust. He was in disbelief that a project as pointless as that would even be considered. At the end of the night, I still don't think he believed that something like the TTC even exists.
Bottom Line...this project makes absolutely no sense to a person who spends all their time traveling the roads of Texas. Not for pleasure, but to make a living. This is exactly the type of person that Rick Perry and TxDOT claim to be trying to help out with this project.
If that isn't proof enough, I don't know what is. Its time we put the brakes on the superhighway to nowhere, from nowhere, that noone will be traveling.
click here to collapse...
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
TTC Plan gets publicity...you decide
Finaly, the Trans-Texas Corridor is starting to get some publicity. The Houston Chronicle had a story today discussing the plan and its affect on this years election. I think the title of the article says it all. "Perry's vision for rural highway could become a political pothole." Read the article and decide for yourself.
The article does a nice job of laying out the case for public opposition. At environmental hearings for the TTC-35 segment an estimated 14,000 people showed up and the public opinion was overwhelmingly one of opposition. In fact, the only positive comments came from people who will benefit from the construction of the roadway.
Friday, August 18, 2006
Say NO to the TTC
In my opinion, the Trans-Texas Corridor is wrong for the State of Texas. If you educate yourself on this disastrous plan, I hope you will agree with me. I hope you will agree with me that it's time we put a stop to this plan and get rid of the people that support the TTC.
How can we do this? How can we stop it? Unfortunately, the State of Texas government system makes it difficult. But, our chance is coming. We can take a huge step towards ending this disastrous plan by exercising our right to vote in the upcoming election.
We can start at the governor and work our way down. There are four main candidates in this year's race for Governor. The only one that supports the Trans Texas Corridor is incumbent Rick Perry. Makes sense ... the whole thing was his idea. We can all encourage others to get informed and exercise their rights. Tell your family, friends, coworkers, neighbors and anyone else that will listen.
This is our best, possibly only way to get in front of this project and bring it to a grinding halt. Stay tuned, and I'll post links where you can register to vote and websites of the candidates for governor.
How can we do this? How can we stop it? Unfortunately, the State of Texas government system makes it difficult. But, our chance is coming. We can take a huge step towards ending this disastrous plan by exercising our right to vote in the upcoming election.
We can start at the governor and work our way down. There are four main candidates in this year's race for Governor. The only one that supports the Trans Texas Corridor is incumbent Rick Perry. Makes sense ... the whole thing was his idea. We can all encourage others to get informed and exercise their rights. Tell your family, friends, coworkers, neighbors and anyone else that will listen.
This is our best, possibly only way to get in front of this project and bring it to a grinding halt. Stay tuned, and I'll post links where you can register to vote and websites of the candidates for governor.
No Taxpayer Dollars?
One obvious reason that a lot of people might object to the Trans-Texas Corridor is because of its immense costs. The estimated cost of the 4,000 miles of roadway is around $183 billion. That's quite a chunk of change. And, since this is a government project, there's no reason to believe that budget won't increase ... considerably. If you complain about the dollars behind this plan, you'll be met with this response, "The toll road is privately funded, and no state funds will be used in its construction."
Ok, but what about all the planning and PR that goes into a project that is opposed by so many. Environmental studies, public meetings, time spent by state employees working on designs and proposals, junkets to other areas where toll roads are a way of life and numerous other activities all contribute to the cost of this project. That's all taxpayer money. There is overwhelming opposition from the citizens of Texas, and yet the project continues. State employees spend time, paid by us the taxpayers, to work on the design and proposals. YES, taxpayer dollars are being spent on this project and in large amounts.
Ok, but what about all the planning and PR that goes into a project that is opposed by so many. Environmental studies, public meetings, time spent by state employees working on designs and proposals, junkets to other areas where toll roads are a way of life and numerous other activities all contribute to the cost of this project. That's all taxpayer money. There is overwhelming opposition from the citizens of Texas, and yet the project continues. State employees spend time, paid by us the taxpayers, to work on the design and proposals. YES, taxpayer dollars are being spent on this project and in large amounts.
click here for more...
The proposal on the table fron Cintra-Zachary to build the TTC-35 segment has been on the table for some time now. A year ago, the Attorney General of Texas ruled that TxDOT and Cintra must make the full contents of this development proposal available to the public. They have made most of it public, but they refuse to reveal the parts of the proposal that deal with financing the project. Hmmm ... why do you think that is? Could it be that if taxpayers and our legislators were to see these details they would be sharply criticized and put the project in jeapardy? Could it be that this myth of no taxpayer dollars spent might be proven just such, a myth? Does the government really want us to believe that a company will take on such an ambitious and expensive project without some assurance from the state for bailout or favorable financing?
TxDOT and Cintra are raising their noses to the taxpayers and citizens of Texas. They are saying that they know what is best for us, regardless of what we think or say. They are above the transparency of government and believe in secrecy and back room agreements. They have initiated a legal battle to keep the details of the agreement secret and out of the public eye where actual discussion and analysis can be done. Bottom line ... the citizens of Texas DO NOT MATTER TO TxDOT, Cintra, or the Governor of this state.
TxDOT and Cintra are raising their noses to the taxpayers and citizens of Texas. They are saying that they know what is best for us, regardless of what we think or say. They are above the transparency of government and believe in secrecy and back room agreements. They have initiated a legal battle to keep the details of the agreement secret and out of the public eye where actual discussion and analysis can be done. Bottom line ... the citizens of Texas DO NOT MATTER TO TxDOT, Cintra, or the Governor of this state.
click here to collapse...
TTC Conflict of Interest? You Decide
I don't think I have to tell you how much I think this whole TTC project stinks. Well, it is starting to stink a lot more. To preface the excerpt below, Cintra is the developer who won the bid for the TTC-35 segment that is fast becoming a reality.
It gets worse...please read on.
The politictians in Texas who are pushing this project are counting on the sad fact that most Texans don't pay much attention to state politics. They are hoping that they can get this project done without involving or catching the attention of the citizens they are supposed to be serving. There are many brushes with which you can paint this project, but in this instance, it is conflict of interest.
In addition, a major four-day, all expenses paid trip had been arranged by Cintra for key decision makers and legislators. I say "key" in a tongue-in-cheek fashion, because the list was selective at best. For example, there is a citizens advisory board which was created to advise decision makers on TTC plans and issues. (We won't get into the fact that TxDOT doesn't really consider their input.) However, not all members of this advisory board were invited by Cintra. The most notable acception was Linda Stall, a co-founder of CorridorWatch, and a vocal opponent of the TTC plan. Hmmm ... wonder why that happened? Could it be that Cintra, TxDOT and our politicians have no interest in opposing viewpoints? Imagine that. And then, the trip was abruptly cancelled when the Dallas Morning News found out and reported on it. Again, hmmmmm ...
For the full story you can visit this at Corridor Watch or read this article from the Dallas Morning News.
Cintra consultant turned Governor Perry's legislative aide, turned Cintra lobbyist. It's hard to keep up with who is working for who. Or is it?
Austin lobbyist Dan Shelley has been one of Governor Perry's aides and Cintra's inside men.
Shelley worked for Cintra making introductions to TxDOT just in time to see them get a winning proposal submitted for the Trans Texas Corridor. Then he worked for Governor Perry just in time to lobby the Legislature to protect and strengthen laws benefiting Cintra. Now he's back working for Cintra again planning all expense paid trips to Canada for TxDOT and Texas law makers.
The Dallas Morning News reports this morning, "Mr. Shelley resigned his statejob in September and struck a lobbying deal with Cintra worth between $50,000 and $100,000 to work from March through the end of this year. In addition, his daughter and lobbying partner, Jennifer Shelley-Rodriguez, will earn between$25,000 and $50,000 from the company over the same period, state records show."
*quoted from CorridorWatch press release
Austin lobbyist Dan Shelley has been one of Governor Perry's aides and Cintra's inside men.
Shelley worked for Cintra making introductions to TxDOT just in time to see them get a winning proposal submitted for the Trans Texas Corridor. Then he worked for Governor Perry just in time to lobby the Legislature to protect and strengthen laws benefiting Cintra. Now he's back working for Cintra again planning all expense paid trips to Canada for TxDOT and Texas law makers.
The Dallas Morning News reports this morning, "Mr. Shelley resigned his statejob in September and struck a lobbying deal with Cintra worth between $50,000 and $100,000 to work from March through the end of this year. In addition, his daughter and lobbying partner, Jennifer Shelley-Rodriguez, will earn between$25,000 and $50,000 from the company over the same period, state records show."
*quoted from CorridorWatch press release
It gets worse...please read on.
click here for more...
The politictians in Texas who are pushing this project are counting on the sad fact that most Texans don't pay much attention to state politics. They are hoping that they can get this project done without involving or catching the attention of the citizens they are supposed to be serving. There are many brushes with which you can paint this project, but in this instance, it is conflict of interest.
In addition, a major four-day, all expenses paid trip had been arranged by Cintra for key decision makers and legislators. I say "key" in a tongue-in-cheek fashion, because the list was selective at best. For example, there is a citizens advisory board which was created to advise decision makers on TTC plans and issues. (We won't get into the fact that TxDOT doesn't really consider their input.) However, not all members of this advisory board were invited by Cintra. The most notable acception was Linda Stall, a co-founder of CorridorWatch, and a vocal opponent of the TTC plan. Hmmm ... wonder why that happened? Could it be that Cintra, TxDOT and our politicians have no interest in opposing viewpoints? Imagine that. And then, the trip was abruptly cancelled when the Dallas Morning News found out and reported on it. Again, hmmmmm ...
For the full story you can visit this at Corridor Watch or read this article from the Dallas Morning News.
click here to collapse...
Thursday, August 17, 2006
Abuse of Eminent Domain
What happened to the days when the government operated as a servant of the people? When did the government become something people feared and complained about? Well, the State of Texas and Governor Rick Perry are proving to us again that they care nothing about the citizens of Texas. They are proving that they don't believe the government is meant to be a representative organization rather than a prescriptive one.
click for more.....
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