Posted on 05/09/2007 6:19:56 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
AUSTIN — Gov. Rick Perry doesn't like a transportation bill Texas lawmakers sent him and threatened Wednesday to call them back to address the issue if no solution is reached before the legislative session ends May 28.
"The good news is, there's still time to fix it .... if not, I have no other option as the leader of this state than to bring the Legislature back until we address these issues and we get Texas back to where it can have a vibrant transportation infrastructure," Perry said.
Though a two-year moratorium on private toll road contracts is a major part of the bill and has drawn the most attention, that's not Perry's main objection to the legislation, he said.
"This isn't about the moratorium. I'll sign the moratorium bill tomorrow," he said, referring to a separate toll-road moratorium piece of legislation still pending.
However, Perry has urged lawmakers throughout this legislative session not to pass a toll-road moratorium. Toll roads are a key part of the Perry-proposed Trans Texas Corridor, a massive highway project that's partly under development.
Perry spokesman Robert Black said the sweeping transportation legislation sent to the governor would allow numerous local communities to place liens on Texas rights of way, meaning bonds couldn't be issued for building roads there. He said the measure also puts regional projects in jeopardy and cuts some local governments out of funding.
The Dallas-Fort Worth area would be particularly hard hit, according to Perry.
The proposal also tightens controls on comprehensive development agreements, used in contracts for private-public road-building, reducing their maximum duration from 70 years to 40 years and allowing the state to buy back a project.
That provision would stop part of the Trans Texas Corridor proposed to run from South Texas north through East Texas, known as TTC-69, because comprehensive development agreements are to be used, Black said.
Part of the Trans Texas Corridor proposed to run parallel to Interstate 35 wouldn't be jeopardized because that development agreement has already been let, Black said.
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said many members of the Senate feel very strongly about the maximum duration and buyback provisions. But he said the bill's Senate sponsors have been negotiating with Perry's office and making progress toward a compromise.
"I can't help but believe that we're going to be able to reach an agreement," Dewhurst said.
Perry has the power to call lawmakers into a 30-day special session on subjects he chooses. He has called previous special sessions on school funding and congressional redistricting.
He discussed his concerns about the road bill Wednesday with Dewhurst, who presides in the Senate, and House Speaker Tom Craddick, both fellow Republicans.
The bill from the GOP-controlled Legislature was a compilation from numerous lawmakers as it made its way through the Capitol.
The House put the final legislative stamp of approval on the bill a week ago, approving the measure 139-1 to send to Perry. The dissenting vote came from Rep. Mike Krusee, R-Round Rock, a Perry ally on toll roads and chairman of the House Transportation Committee.
Perry had said previously he would seriously consider vetoing the bill because he said it shuts down road construction, kills jobs and prevents access to federally highway money.
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The transportation bill is HB 1892.
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Associated Press writer Jim Vertuno contributed to this report.
By Todd Dills
The Texas House, in an amendment to a larger transportation bill, voted May 1 to place a moratorium on new public-private toll road projects.
The amendment to HB1892 was aimed at comprehensive design-construct contracts that have attracted hefty attention from high-profile foreign investors, including the Spanish firm Cintra, currently part of the consortium operating the Indiana Toll Road and the Chicago Skyway with 75- and 99-year leases, respectively.
The amendment also mandates study into “the public policy implications” of “selling an existing and operating toll project to a private entity,” as well as entering into agreements to design and build toll roads with the same private entities that will be able to collect toll revenue at a profit. Such a study must be finished by Dec. 1, 2008, the amendment said.
If not vetoed by Gov. Rick Perry, a staunch public-private proponent, the moratorium effectively would secure for counties first-option authority for the next phase of the Trans-Texas Corridor, including its final design and building.
Cintra and Zachry Construction, based in San Antonio, already have contracted to build and operate, at a profit, the southern 40 miles of Highway 130 from Austin to Seguin, an I-35 alternate, in addition to various projects around Dallas-Fort Worth.
Trans-Texas Corridor watchdog groups proclaimed victory in the voting. The Senate version of the bill passed on a 27-4 vote April 27, and the House 139-1.
Trans-Texas Corridor PING!
They are already building it. The south part is about 3/4 done. We paying for it with our “Lone Star” card?
C'est La Vie
I think I'm going through another one of those "I don't like politicians phases".I seem to be having those frequently of late.
Goodhair Perry needs to either sign the dang bill or veto it and let the cards fall where they may. If not, he may end up with a legacy much like his former boss. Enough is enough, he got caught on this TTC fiasco. Give it up before it gets really nasty down it Austin.
Thanks for the ping!
Has anyone put a price on a two year delay for I35 relief?
You’re welcome. :-)
Mine's just one long, endless phase...
BTTT
“Has anyone put a price on a two year delay for I35 relief?”
Hopefully, it will put a long hold on those Mexican trucks.
Supposedly the state is in dire transportation financial trouble so, why are they willing to wave the gas tax for 3 months this summer? Somebody is lying their ass off.
My understanding is, there is no relationship between the two. The Houston Comical, just yesterday, had an article that the Mexican trucks should start rolling across in June. They will now be on our current roads adding to the congestion. Delays are not progress no matter how you color it.
What would be wrong with widening I-35 in a few spots, maybe even all of it, and leaving that silly toll road idea completely alone?
Maybe the republican legislators can learn from the democrats and take off for Oklahoma or New Mexico to avoid a quorum.
“Oh great! That old standby——the special session!”
I am predicting a total of three special sessions. RINO Rick will do anything to keep is name in public so he has a shot at VP nomination.
I suspect there is very much a relationship between the two but, that’s for another thread.
The Texas Leg isn’t putting a moratorium on toll roads for nothing.... the deal stunk. They are doing what many in this state think is right. Perry tried to weasel a deal to enrich himself and his cronies and the people of this state saw through it. You want to blame someone for the delay, look towards Perry.
No. That's not it. It's about a coalition of self serving interest groups banding together to stop progress and garner support for their cause.
And the special interest groups are:
1. Unions - They can do it for twice the money and twice the time
2. Subsidized farm land owners - Don't mess with their (inherited) gold mine
3. Immigration-phobia - Like, it can't be any easier to get in already
4. Liberals bashing Republicans - Every downed Republican is a notch in their belt.
This PAC has generated so much fear, it is unstoppable now. Texans are the real losers because the Democrats will ride the wave to victory and "Katie, bar the door".
Trust me. You won't know anymore two years from now than you do now. Perry now will get to pick some friends to do the study and they will be the ones getting enriched.
bump.
2. Farmers...you need to get over it.....not everyone is a subsidized farmer. With the bio-fuel industry kickin in, those fields will be put to use. If you would rather get all of our food from China, keep dissing the farmers. 3. immigration phobia? Where have you been? It's become a problem for us ALL!
4.Liberals bashin Repubs? Nothing new. You might be surprised at the political makeup of the groups who oppose the TTC. They're not Liberals.
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