TxDOT Hits The Toll Road Running

TxDOT Hits The Toll Road Running

It sure didn’t take TxDOT long to shake off the legislative session and resume their headlong rush to use every available loophole, exception, and remaining authority to build toll roads and grant toll road concessions just as fast as possible. Rather than acknowledging the concerns of the people and their legislature, TxDOT is now moving even more quickly. The Commission and TxDOT are taking full advantage of the legislature’s failure to restrain their action. Our fear is that they will attempt to do the same with the Trans Texas Corridor. And, of course they will.

While CorridorWatch is not anti-toll, we are certainly distressed about the way TxDOT is single-mindedly focused on using Texas highways to generate revenue. We are concerned about a process where the state forces its will on every level of government with utter disregard for local and regional needs or concerns. We also question the wisdom of private control, dangerous financial schemes, and multi-generational agreements that could spell future disaster for Texas and all Texans.

Emboldened by the arrogance of their leadership, Commission members and TxDOT executives openly mocked members of the Legislature during their meeting last week. Their unabashed comments foretold of the vetoes that would soon follow.

Before the meeting ended the Commission authorized TxDOT to move forward on eighty toll road projects across the state.

Last weekend Governor Perry vetoed 49 more bills.

Property protections were dashed with the veto of an eminent domain bill TxDOT didn’t like. Another bill that would have required TxDOT to consider using existing highway routes for future TTC routes was struck down. A bill that called on the Attorney General to study the impact of international agreements on Texas was ridiculed by the Commission and also vetoed by the Governor.

A few more vetoes smack of retaliation dealt to those who opposed the Governor’s view of the TTC, HPV, TYC or education during the session.

It is truly incredible to see a Governor who’s actions are completely disconnected from the people he is sworn to represent. His actions are at odds with his own political party party platform and leadership, they are in conflict with overwhelming public opinion, they offend a wide variety of large organizations that previously supported his election, they fly in the face of the virtually unanimous will of the Legislature. Who can help but wonder who Governor Perry represents and who’s interests is he protecting?

Now the stage is set for the Commission to demonstrate just how far they will go to protect their Spanish partner. Despite incredible pressure North Texas has rejected the Governor’s pre-selected private business benefactor. Will the Commission continue their now routine pattern of putting what Perry wants first and the people want last? Sadly, we believe that our Governor serves the money brokers, not the people. He has demonstrated that his loyalty is not with the people of Texas, but resides exclusively with those who can provide the kind of money that can further personal and political ambition.

Make no mistake, CorridorWatch will continue the fight challenging the wisdom of the Trans Texas Corridor. That does not mean we won’t lose battles along the way, but in the end we will have an undeniable impact on this flawed project and the bad public policy that has made it possible.