Trans-Texas Corridor and Texas

tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-329119622024-08-31T05:33:13.775-07:00Trans-Texas Corridor and TexasAn ongoing discussion about the Corridor and its affect on Texans, both rural and urban. The writing style is raw, the typos are frequent, but the analysis is genuine. <br><b> <a href="mailto:tom_muras@hotmail.com?Subject=TTC Blog">Email Tom</a></b>Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864199974237121146noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32911962.post-13602851532917472622008-04-17T14:46:00.000-07:002008-04-17T14:56:08.712-07:00Ever wonder just how bad TXDOT wants to toll our roads?

Well, for days now TXDOT and NTTA (North Texas Tollway Authority) have argued over a contract to build a road in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Just search google news to find some of the details. While the saga itself may not be worth worrying about, I read an article about it today that highlighted just how BADLY TXDOT wants to toll our roads instead of building them with tax dollars as free

Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864199974237121146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32911962.post-84813933017833485922008-04-01T06:42:00.000-07:002008-04-04T07:56:28.906-07:00No Money...BULL...Ask Cintra how to get it from the Feds

One major concern I have with the corridor is non-compete clauses in the development contracts. Essentially, if the state is asking a private entity to put up money to build a road the state can't compete with the private entity for 'business.' In this case business is travelers...you and me driving on the roads. Non-compete clauses severely limit the ability of the state to improve or build

Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864199974237121146noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32911962.post-26563821225257908662008-03-31T11:49:00.000-07:002008-03-31T19:49:27.885-07:00Comments, Comments, and more Comments

It's old news by now but the public comment period has been extended for the I-69 corridor. Take advantage of this opportunity to offer any comments you might have. If you've commented before but forgot something, offer that up now.Submit comments for I-69 here.Now, on to the next request. There is no way for anyone to say that there isn't overwhelming public displeasure with TTC projects. It's

Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864199974237121146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32911962.post-46261952747324083392008-03-14T08:21:00.000-07:002008-03-14T08:29:29.266-07:00No public money my ()*&()!&@)(&!

A couple of lines that TXDOT, Rick Perry, and those that push the TTC use over and over again are the following. These are not direct quotes but are darn close to it."We don't have the money to build the needed roads and if you think the federal governement is going to have the money you are wrong there to.""There will be no tax dollars going into the building of this road."Well, we all know

Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864199974237121146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32911962.post-76800461783115283782008-02-29T14:42:00.001-08:002008-03-01T06:22:30.873-08:00Perry questions motives of corridor opponent

During my drive home yesterday I was listening to Michael Berry on the radio and low and behold, King Ricardo, I won with 39%, Perry was on. He talked about a couple of subjects but he did make some comments about the Corridor. Now, I won't get into all the details of his comments but there is one part that interests me the most. Here is the actual text of what he said. Apologize for the lack of

Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864199974237121146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32911962.post-56348887784840661272008-02-29T12:14:00.000-08:002008-03-01T06:22:56.289-08:00Hearing Observation....Built based on Need?

One of the themes I heard at the public hearings was the concept of building the road based on the needs for certain segments. As much as I heard that concept/phrase thrown around I'd have to assume that it is the default answer to someone who is likely going to lose their land to the road. "Don't worry Mr. and Mrs. X, your family farm is safe until we determine a need exists....who knows how

Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864199974237121146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32911962.post-63113848950287955252008-02-29T12:08:00.000-08:002008-03-01T06:23:16.771-08:00Public Hearings...General Experience

I attended the TTC-69 public hearing in Rosenberg. The public hearing process went as expected. Not a single person spoke in favor of the project. Everyone brought up valid points why the project was a bad idea. Did it help? Well, I'd like to think so but other things I heard at the meeting lead me to believe maybe not.I showed up early so I'd have some time at the open house to visit with TXDOT

Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864199974237121146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32911962.post-14469744293755860152008-02-25T13:28:00.000-08:002008-02-29T11:49:08.118-08:00Katy and Rosenberg Public Meetings

If you haven't heard the State has a plan to relieve traffic congestion in Houston. They want to build an entirely new road and they're building it up as a way to relieve traffic congestion. Now, I know the response of Houston residents. More roads must equal better commutes. Well what they aren't telling you is that the road doesn't come any closer to Houston than East Bernard in the

Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864199974237121146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32911962.post-44785457888196583632008-02-14T14:29:00.000-08:002008-02-14T14:37:25.102-08:00Not just a rural issue

One thing that continues to bother me about the Trans Texas Corridor and the opposition to it is that we, those opposed, continually get branded as farmers and ranchers who are merely worried about the loss of land to eminent domain. It is not just rural issue. Houston, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio residents should see this as a waste of resources. As a Houstonian it concerns me because one

Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864199974237121146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32911962.post-86364270450034279142008-01-30T10:28:00.000-08:002008-01-30T10:41:35.934-08:00The TTC IS About NAFTA

Don't let TXDOT fool you. They TTC is about NAFTA. Its about exploiting a cheap labor force in Mexico, a ravenous consumer society in the United States, and something from Canada...but not sure what yet. Its all driven by companies wanting to make MONEY.Read the website for yourself. The organization below is very up front about how they are advocating US policy based on input not only from

Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864199974237121146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32911962.post-88176497905130895522008-01-29T19:08:00.000-08:002008-01-29T19:23:45.799-08:00Town Hall Meetings..OR...Something else???

Having attended a town hall meeting I can't help but wonder what the actual reason for these meetings is? Here is the stated goal for the town hall meetings.These town hall meetings, unlike the formal project public hearings that many Texans have attended, will allow attendees to discuss the corridor and its impact to Texas with TxDOT officials. It also will allow attendees to get their questions

Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864199974237121146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32911962.post-59128330916271988592008-01-29T14:49:00.000-08:002008-01-29T15:06:41.595-08:00My TTC Townhall Experience

Not much time to type right now so I'll make it short. A couple of things that jumped out at me during the meeting in Rosenberg were the following.I was there for almost three hours and I didn't hear one single person say they supported the current TTC plan.That leads me to my next observation. The TXDOT commissioner at the meeting said that he was surprised by the amount of displeasure and

Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864199974237121146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32911962.post-14904067693391487242008-01-03T07:07:00.000-08:002008-01-03T10:35:00.014-08:00Town Halls and Public Hearings for I-69 Corridor

TXDOT will be having town hall meetings and public hearings about the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the I-69 corridor. The schedule can be found HERE.If you get a chance, read through the EIS. It can be found HERE. If possible, come to the meeting with specific questions and concerns. The more specific your concern is the more likely it can be addressed and not just shrugged off as a

Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864199974237121146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32911962.post-50220536603345412712007-05-25T11:35:00.000-07:002007-05-25T11:37:54.628-07:00Let's get the process started.

Anybody who is willing to sell out our State is no good in my book. Let's get this process started. Click for detailsLet's start with Perry.

Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864199974237121146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32911962.post-81697281554116359732007-05-25T08:22:00.000-07:002007-05-25T11:31:22.840-07:00Deal Struck, TTC-35 can move forward

Here is the article in the Austin American StatesmanTo those of you along the TTC-35 routes, I say that this is a sad day. You can be sure that TXDOT will move with lightning speed to develop and build as much of the TTC 35 corridor as they possibly can. Hopefully, during the process, we will be able to fight individual segments and come up with some small victories. Rick Perry is your

Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864199974237121146noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32911962.post-19213403124600922362007-05-24T10:07:00.000-07:002007-05-24T10:16:30.445-07:00Kolkhorst Needs our Support and DESERVES our Thanks

Representative Kolkhorst has fought hard for what we want. She's taken a lot of heat for it. We need to support her. Call, fax, or email her office and let them know you support her efforts to keep Amendment 13 on SB792.Phone: (512) 463-0600 email: Email FormFax: (512) 463-5240 Win or lose on this corridor battle, Representative Kolkhorst is a shining example of a representative who listens to

Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864199974237121146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32911962.post-88019850596696536552007-05-15T06:24:00.000-07:002007-05-15T06:32:04.237-07:00Proof that HB1892 guts the TTC

I've said it many times. HB1892 is our best chance to put an end to the Trans Texas Corridor. Sure, it only contains a two year moratorium. But the provisions allowing local metro tolling authorities control and operate toll roads in their areas is what cripples the TTC.Click here for the proof.An alliance formed years ago to advance the development of Hwy 59 from Houston to Laredo into an

Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864199974237121146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32911962.post-80221409631319780382007-05-14T14:25:00.000-07:002007-05-14T14:46:19.530-07:00Just when you thought TXDOT and Our legislature couldn't get worse

Just when you thought that the assault on common sense couldn't get any worse, we have HB 2268. This bill would give TXDOT the authority to purchase land for road alignments in advance of an actual project. TXDOT wouldn't have to conduct pulic meetings. They wouldn't have to have done environmental studies. They could just purchase land 'in case' they decided to put a road there. What is

Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864199974237121146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32911962.post-82756784564889510212007-05-14T12:56:00.000-07:002007-05-14T13:20:50.201-07:00Oppose new attempts to 'FIX' transportation issues

Why should your rep oppose SB792? Because HB1892, with moratorium language attached, calls for a 2 year study on the privatization of our roads. We don't need hastily done legislation like SB792. We need time to study our options. Late night fixes and compromises with the Governor and TXDOT are not what the public wants. We want a halt to this privatization madness and the time to study our

Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864199974237121146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32911962.post-78350518818441440002007-05-14T12:43:00.000-07:002007-05-14T12:56:02.304-07:00How do you spell smokescreen? SB792

Does anyone else get an uneasy feeling about all these late dealings regarding HB1892 and SB792? Do you get the feeling that those who are causing all this fuss are fully aware and intending to erode support for HB1892. I've said it before. Perry hates HB1892. He doesn't like a moratorium but along with all the other limits and controls in HB1892, he absolutely despises it.Why does the

Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864199974237121146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32911962.post-67756111367124794882007-05-10T08:28:00.000-07:002007-05-10T08:43:40.114-07:00Don't think Perry is actually interested in good public policy

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

Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864199974237121146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32911962.post-48956734867797833652007-05-10T07:06:00.000-07:002007-05-10T07:17:24.838-07:00FHWA 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

Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864199974237121146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32911962.post-49929434906793027182007-05-10T06:47:00.000-07:002007-05-10T07:27:14.382-07:00Perry 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

Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864199974237121146noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32911962.post-46932833830206727602007-05-09T14:24:00.000-07:002007-05-09T14:34:17.076-07:00Pulling 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

Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864199974237121146noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32911962.post-54131811104353311162007-05-07T09:42:00.001-07:002007-05-07T09:51:29.531-07:00'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

Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06864199974237121146noreply@blogger.com0