Free Republic

Three private groups are now in the hunt to build U.S. 281 toll lanes, but two big foreign companies competing just a short while ago to build and lease a larger toll network here have dropped out. The Alamo Regional Mobility Authority board voted Wednesday to let all three teams submit plans to rebuild U.S. 281 north of Loop 1604 into a tollway with free access roads by 2012. It's the fledging agency's first project. "Goodness knows we have been two and a half years getting here," board member Bob Thompson said. "Maybe it's even more important to see the...

Philanthropist and ex-paving mogul Bob Thompson has renewed his offer to donate $200 million to the City of Detroit to create 15 charter schools, all of which must have a 90% graduation rate.  The first time he offered, the meltdown between Governor Jennifer Granholm, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, and the Michigan legislature prompted him to disgustedly withdraw the offer. This time, he has timed his offer against the school board elections, thus allowing the local media to pressure candidates into a sensible position on the issue.