The Senate unanimously passed a bill that strikes from state law any language, reference and authority once connected to the massive highway envisioned to slice a swath through Texas.
The same measure already has passed the House. There are some minor differences that still need to be reconciled, but the bill is expected to go to Gov. Rick Perry, who will have to decide whether to join in the final rites for his once-prized project.
Legislators did keep a provision that was allowed under the authority of the Trans Texas Corridor: the potential of 85 mph speed limits on certain highways that are properly engineered to handle the higher speeds.
The highway corridor to parallel Interstate 35 had been a signature issue for Perry, but it was doomed after angry citizens rebelled against the private contracts, the massive proposed taking of private land and what was seen as arrogance by state transportation officials.
Perry said last year that the highway is dead, but lawmakers this year are determined to salt the earth. [end excerpt]
On the whole, I’ve been pretty proud of our legislature during this term. They have done some really good, conservative things.
I certainly hope that the did indeed drive a stake through the heart of the Trans-TX proposal and that it will never raise it’s ugly head again.