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From CorridorWatch.org:

HOUSE BILL 3363 FILED FRIDAY, MARCH 11, 2005.

It took CorridorWatch.org a full day to catch-up, but today we discovered our prayers were answered when House Bill 3363 was filed yesterday.

BILL WOULD PLACE A 2-YEAR MORATORIUM ON TxDOT TOLLS AND THE TTC.

On Friday, Representative Garnet Coleman (Houston) filed the most significant bill relating to toll conversion and the Trans-Texas Corridor.

The one-page bill goes directly to the point.

First, it requires TxDOT to report obligated funds and discretionary funds available in each district. Every elected city, county and state official would be copied on the report each year.

Second, it places a two-year moratorium on TxDOT imposing a toll on any portion of a state highway or roadway that did not have a toll in effect on or before the effective date of the Act.

Third, it places a two-year moratorium on implementation of the Trans-Texas Corridor.

Fourth, it establishes a 15-member committee to perform a comprehensive study of the Trans-Texas Corridor and the use of tolls, bonds, and other revenue sources for the inancing of state highway and roadway construction and maintenance. The committee will hold meetings and public
hearings and make a complete report, including findings and
recommendations and drafts of any legislation considered necessary, available to the public not later than October 1, 2006.

THIS IS IT! THIS IS THE LEGISLATION TEXAS NEEDS TO ALLOW CITIZEN PARTICIPATION AND INPUT BEFORE WIDESPREAD AND FAR-REACHING TOLL PROJECTS AND THE TRANS-TEXAS CORRIDOR ARE IRREVERSABLE.

NO MATTER WHAT CALLS AND/OR LETTERS YOU SENT BEFORE TODAY – YOU NEED TO MAKE MORE CALLS AND SEND MORE LETTERS PERSONALLY ASKING YOUR REPRESENTATIVE, YOUR SENATOR, SPEAKER CRADDOCK AND LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR DEWHURST
TO SUPPORT HOUSE BILL 3363. ASK THAT THEY ADD THEIR NAME TO THE BILL.

THIS BILL MUST HAVE BROAD BI-PARTISAN SUPPORT TO PASS AND SURVIVE THE PROMISED VETO BY THE GOVERNOR.

Everyone should support this bill. It does not kill either tolls or the Trans-Texas Corridor. It does provide an opportunity for serious consideration and reconsideration. It slows the process down from todays headlong rush. It will allow meaningful public input. It will ensure that
our legislature is fully informed about toll and corridor issues before they are implemented. It is both a rational and reasonable action.

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE. PLEASE ACT THIS WEEK.

PLEASE FORWARD THIS E-MAIL TO EVERYONE IN YOUR ADDRESS BOOK, EVERYONE IN YOUR CLUB, ASSOCIATION, CHURCH, AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS. PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD - SUPPORT HB-3363!

Don't know who your representatives are?
Check Here: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/fyi/fyi.htm

MAILING ADDRESSES:

The Honorable (your Senator’s name)
Texas Senate
PO Box 12068
Austin, TX 78711-2068

The Honorable (your Representative’s name)
Texas House of Representatives
PO Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768-2910

The Honorable David Dewhurst
Lt. Governor’s Office
PO Box 12068
Austin, Texas 78711-2068

The Honorable Tom Craddick
Texas House of Representatives
PO Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768-2910

The Honorable Garnet Coleman
Texas House of Representatives
PO Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768-2910

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST AND SUPPORT.