From Campaign for Liberty...Trans Texas Corridor Resurrected in HB 3789! This MUST be stopped!

[Lone Star State Sentinal]

March 28, 2011

Trans Texas Corridor Resurrected in HB 3789!

Bills to allow MoPac & 183 to become privatized toll roads that charge up to 80 cents a mile to be heard this week!

Also bills to establish checkpoints and license plate cameras!!!

On Wednesday, the House Transportation Committee will hear a slew of bills (HB 2186, HB 2388, HB 2801, HB 2985, HB 3561, HB 3563-HB 3565, HB 3734) to privatize and toll tax TX roads, the worst being HB 3789 that re-creates the Trans Texas Corridor and that grants a blanket authorization for these contracts called Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to be done in SECRET, without financial disclosures, and with NO sunset provision, so the authority is indefinite!

It's the Trans Texas Corridor resurrected (in 284.003 C. (7) of HB 3789 it authorizes these contracts in the TTC chapter of the code) and MUST BE STOPPED!  The House Transportation Committee will meet Wednesday, March 30 at 8 AM in Rm. E2.028.

These are sweetheart deals that have profit guarantees, massive public subsidies (ALL Texans' gas taxes), low interest taxpayer-backed loans (TIFIA loans or Private Activity Bonds), non-compete agreements that prohibit or penalize the expansion of surrounding free roads, and we're seeing published toll rates for these types of contracts starting at 80 PER MILE to drive in peak hours!  These CDAs socialize the losses and privatize the profits for a HALF CENTURY!

Another bill, HB 2432 (by John Davis), that would give a blanket authorization to enter into these types of agreements (for any road & other infrastructure projects in Texas) is also being heard on Wednesday, March 30 at 8 AM in Rm. E2.014.

There are also two bills to be heard in the Senate Transportation Committee at 7:30 AM on Wednesday, March 30 in Rm. E1.016

SB 1700 (Williams): This bill would establish checkpoints to check for car insurance.  Is this a precedent we want to set?  Papers please????

SB 1696 (Williams): This bill will establish a pilot program for license plate readers and cameras so the state can track you everywhere you drive.

Phone calls to Senator Watson and your State Representative are still important to pressure these guys to do the right thing.  The Capitol Switchboard is [phone].

Thank you to Terii Hall of TURF for all the information!


For Liberty,

Debbie McKee
Campaign for Liberty - Texas