Perry, Hutchison stand apart on toll road legislation issue (Trans-Texas Corridor)

WASHINGTON — A political spat erupted Tuesday between Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison when the senator filed an amendment to the $284 billion transportation bill that would ban tolls on existing federal highways.

The amendment would repeal existing language in the highway bill that would allow states to erect toll booths on federal highways to pay for transportation projects.

"Tolling existing roads to pay for new ones is double taxation," said Hutchison, R-Texas, a member of the Senate Commerce and Transportation Committee.

But the amendment was seen as a shot at Perry's proposed $175 billion Trans Texas Corridor, a 4,000-mile network that has drawn opposition from farmers and ranchers who say the project will take thousands of acres of private property.

Although the governor has stated his opposition to erecting tolls on existing roads, his office criticized Hutchison for trying to amend the legislation.

Kathy Walt, the governor's spokeswoman, said Hutchison was following the governor's lead on the toll issue.

"But instead of solving a problem that doesn't exist in Texas, we hope she will solve one that does," Walt said.

Specifically, Perry's office said Hutchison should help Texas receive more in federal gas tax dollars.

Under federal formulas, Texas and other states with large populations pay more in federal gas tax than they receive in spending. States with smaller populations, like Wyoming, receive more than they pay in gas tax.

"We are 51st despite 12 years of posturing," Walt said in a statement distributed by the governor's office. "We need real leadership to ensure Texas gets treated fairly when it comes to highway funding."

Hutchison's spokesman, Chris Paulitz, said the senator has helped raise Texas' share of the gas tax funds from 76 cents on the dollar in 1993 to the 90 cents it now receives for every gas tax dollar sent to Washington.

"While this is not enough, this is a remarkable turnaround from what she inherited in 1993," Paulitz said.

On the toll issue, Hutchison first sounded her opposition in 2004, in a letter to lawmakers writing the highway bill.

She said tolls to raise revenues should be determined at the state and local level, and only after approval by the voters.

Perry's Trans Texas Corridor proposal has run into opposition from private landowners who worry they would lose acreage to the sprawling network.

The corridor would take 50 years to complete, with most of the cost being paid by the private sector.

Firms building the roads and highways in the network would be able to charge tolls — including on a proposed toll highway between Dallas and San Antonio that would parallel Interstate 35.

The spat over highway funding comes just months before Hutchison is expected to announce whether she will challenge Perry in the Republican gubernatorial primary.

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gmartin@express-news.net

From Country World News:

Trans-Texas Corridor protested

Hundreds gather at Captiol to say 'we don't want this corridor'

By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

May 12, 2005 - By Austin standards, the May weather was chilly, but the crowd who gathered on the south side of the Capitol on May 3 was red hot!

Several hundred people, mainly from rural areas, gathered to let state legislators know that they are "mad as heck, and not going to take it anymore!" Shouts of "one, two, three, four ... we don't want this corridor!" echoed throughout the crowd who wore yellow in protest of the plans for a Trans-Texas Corridor.

For anyone who hasn't heard of the Trans-Texas Corridor (TTC) toll road ... this "proposed" toll road plan that has been adopted by the Texas Transportation Commission, and outlines 4,000 miles of roads to "crisscross" the state ... at the expense of Texans, according to the Corridor Watch organization.

Heidi Ullrich of Ledbetter was credited with getting the rally together, with help from Linda and David Stall of Fayette County. The Stalls have been conducting meetings opposing the TTC since it came to their attention, last year. They say the major problem with the plan is that it would take about 580,000 acres of private land and turn it into state land.

While none of the roads would directly connect any large urban cities, urban areas need to be aware of what it might cost them, too, noted several of the speakers at the rally.

The first speaker was Carole Keeton Strayhorn, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts and a very "vocal" opponent to the TTC. "It's not the money you make; it's the difference you make," noted Strayhorn, quoting her father. (Republican Strayhorn was well received by the crowd who yelled out their support for her as next governor of Texas.)

Strayhorn claimed Gov. Rick Perry is "trying to cram toll roads down Texans' throats," and said that it "just isn't going to work." She voiced her opinion that laws and/or deals put together by private groups for the profit of a few is not for Texas.

"Texas property belongs to Texans; not foreign countries," stated Strayhorn, addressing the fact that Cintra-Zachry, a company out of Spain, has been chosen for construction of the road, as well as operation of businesses on the path for 50 years. The price of the TTC has been quoted as being around $184 billion, and would take between 12 to 15 months to complete.

The TTC is scheduled to encompass six passenger vehicle lanes, four commercial truck lanes, two high speed passenger rail lines, two freight train lines and two commuter rail lines and a utility zone.

Perry and his supporters say this TTC would alleviate traffic problems and more efficiently move people and materials across Texas.

Opponents feel TTC supporters do not seem interested that if the private land is taken for the highway, tthe state's property tax revenue will drop and Texans will have to make up the money in other taxes.

The way the plan is outlined, now, is that if a producer's land was taken by the state for the project, that producer might have to drive 15 miles or so in order to cross the TTC and get the other side of their own property. In cases of emergencies involving ambulance service, this could mean the difference between life and death.

"We want Texas dollars ... not Euro dollars! Let the people vote!" exclaimed Strayhorn.

Sen. Ken Armbrister of Victoria noted that "... it's not the money; it's the land," that's important to Texans. He said Texas companies did not even have the opportunity to bid on the TTC, and he believes that there is a better answer to the traffic problems than taking private land.

Rep. Robby Cook of Eagle Lake told the crowd that, as a fifth-generation farmer, he definitely wanted input on the TTC. He urged attendees at the rally to "exercise their rights to let yourselves be heard." Cook is a big supporter of "grass-roots" politics, since legislatures are supposed to work for the people. He, along with Rep. Garnet Coleman of Houston, authored the HB 3363 bill that would put a "moratorium" on the development of the TTC until further study can be done, and the citizens of Texas can vote on what they want for the state.

Property owners are asking for a two-year moratorium on all TTC developments and other toll roads in Texas, but Rep. Mike Krusee of Round Rock has been quoted as saying HB 3363 would not be considered at its final meeting on bills.

During the rally, a member of Gov. Perry's office came out to address some members of the media, but refused to address the group, even though Perry had been invited to do so.

Fayette County Judge Ed Janecka asked the crowd to do two things: visit their state legislators and remind them who they work for, and to get involved in their community.

Wes Sims, president of the Texas Farmers Union, said that anything "born out of deceit cannot be honest. It's about money for tolls ... taking your land for someone to make a buck."

In closing, Linda Stall had a final comment for the rally, concerning the rush to complete the TTC without the agreement or vote of Texans: "When an idea is good, it stands the test of time."

Wearing yellow to urge "caution" before moving forward with the Trans-Texas Corridor, protestors came to Austin in a unified effort to let TTC supporters know their thoughts on the plan. Landowners, including many farmers and ranchers, say the huge highway project will gobble thousands of acres of their property only to make money for private toll road companies.
-- Staff photo by Taylor

BIG NIGHT! Some TTC Victories (05.11.05)

CorridorWatch.org MEMBER BULLETIN

BIG NIGHT – MANY SMALL AND LARGE TTC VICTORIES

> KRUSEE BILL 2702 PASSES THE HOUSE

> OUTSTANDING EFFORTS AND MANY POSITIVE RESULTS

> HOUSE ACTION HIGHLIGHTS

> REP. KOLKHORST DRAWS A LINE IN THE SAND

> WHAT’S NEXT

=====================================

KRUSEE BILL 2702 PASSES THE HOUSE

For two hours and fifteen minutes tonight Chairman Krusee's transportation bill 2702 was debated on the House floor. More than 30 amendments were proposed, many passed before the near 9PM vote.

OUTSTANDING EFFORTS AND MANY POSITIVE RESULTS

Representatives Kolkhorst, Baxter, Hegar, Cook, Pickett, Keel and Coleman worked hard on effecting positive changes. They were stars. They all stood up and represented their constituents.

Our voices were heard. Many of the amendments were worked out in advance with Krusee. Some were hammered out in the aisles with a line of Representatives standing in line at the microphone.

It will take CorridorWatch.org a few days to obtain and digest all of the amendments and put them in context. When we do you'll get a full report.

HOUSE ACTION HIGHLIGHTS

Rep. Kolkhorst led the charge, opening with questions about HB2702.

Rep. Baxter hammered on toll-conversion accountability; TTC farm and ranch access (crossing) issues; and excessive TTC width.

Rep. R. Cook expressed TTC groundwater marketing concerns and clarified groundwater protections.

Rep. Kolkhorst came back with an amendment to place limitations and certain prohibitions on non-compete agreements by TxDOT.

Rep. Hegar amended the TTC ancillary facilities provisions and add public disclosure requirement to the TTC environmental impact process including a requirement that the information be posted on the Internet.

Rep. Cook amended to provide private land owners retain development rights along the TTC.

Rep. Pickett amended to ensure toll projects are not required for access to mobility bond funds.

Rep. Merritt attempted an amendment that would have allowed the Transportation Commission to create appointed rail authorities that would have extreme powers of eminent domain (taking of private land). This amendment was strongly argued against by Rep. Pickett and Rep. Keel. An attempt to table the amendment failed. The amendment appeared to have passed when the very close vote was challenged and upon verification failed.

Rep. Kolkhorst withdrew an amendment to limit the width of the TTC to 800-feet with assurance from the leadership that they would clarify their intent that the corridor not be larger than 800-feet. She did so with a stern warning that they better live up to their promises.

Rep. Coleman attempted an amendment to place a two-year moratorium on development of the TTC. Rep. Krusee raised a Point of Order that the amendment was not germane to the bill. His objection was sustained by the Chair. (This was the same provisions found in HB3363)

REP. KOLKHORST DRAWS A LINE IN THE SAND

After withdrawing an amendment Rep. Kolkhorst said, "I hope TxDOT is listening. I hope the Governor is listening." Clearly she communicated the public outrage at elements of the Trans-Texas Corridor. She said that if the amendments agreed to tonight come off in conference committee that she will personally lead the charge to kill the Trans-Texas Corridor. "This isn’t Russia," she said.

WHAT’S NEXT

We made a lot of headway tonight, but the battle isn't over. Now it's time to turn our attention to the Senate.

Now we need to send the same message to our Senators as we have been sending our Representatives.

Gains we made tonight could be lost or strengthened by the Senate and the Conference Committee.

STAY TUNED – THERE'S MORE TTC ACTION TO COME!

David & Linda Stall
CorridorWatch.org

Also from Corridor Watch:

HB3363 Not Dead Yet; More Counties Oppose TTC (05.11.05)

REP KOLKHORST JOINS HB3363 AS CO-AUTHOR

Today Rep. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham signed on as a co-author of Rep. Coleman's HB-3363 that would put a two-year moratorium on development of the Trans-Texas Corridor.

We need to keep the pressure on to have the provisions of HB-3363 adopted as an amendment on the floor of the House.

MORE COUNTIES OFFICIALLY OPPOSE THE TTC PLAN

We were just notified that McMullen County has passed a Resolution opposing the Trans-Texas Corridor. That brings the total number of counties reported to CorridorWatch.org to twenty-five. Additional counties have resolutions now pending their agendas for consideration.

Ten percent of ALL Texas counties have now passed Resolutions OPPOSING the Trans-Texas Corridor.

1 Blanco County
2 Bosque County
3 Colorado County
4 Concho County
5 Edwards County
6 Falls County
7 Fayette County
8 Gillespie County
9 Guadalupe County
10 Hill County
11 Kendall County
12 Kimble County
13 Lee County
14 Limestone County
15 Mason County
16 McCulloch County
17 McLennan County
18 McMullen County
19 Menard County
20 Milam County
21 Navarro County
22 Real County
24 Waller County
25 Wharton County

David Stall
CorridorWatch.org

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