TxDOT continues to do what it wants with little regard to the wishes of most Texans NOT to develop more toll roads
Latest projects begin to close ring around Hays County
Send your comments and news tips to online.editor@valleyspringcomm.net, to Mr. Stern at pstern@austin.rr.com, or click on the "comments" button at the bottom of the story
"So let me get this straight. You built toll roads because we have too many people and not enough room on the freeways. You had to pay for these extra roads so you implemented the new roads as toll roads. Now there are too many people on the toll roads so let’s get them off of these roads by jacking up toll fees…What did I miss???"
– politicsoffthegrid/houston
By Peter Stern
Guest Commentary
Despite Governor Rick Perry's promise to remove the Trans-Texas Corridor and additional toll roads from future plans, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) intends to build 37 toll roads in the San Antonio area of which 18 will be owned and operated by foreign companies. Voters should be aware of this as Perry campaigns for reelection.
Houston
Go to this link for a list of the projects:http://www.texasturf.org/
In addition, despite promises by the Texas Legislature to reign-in the renegade state agency and require more oversight on future road plans, TxDOT continues to do what it wants with little regard to the wishes of most Texans NOT to develop more toll roads. Instead of working for the community good, TxDOT continues to exploit tax dollars for its own political agenda.
One of the things Texans can do to remove the increasing push for toll roads is to contact TxDOT and legislators to stop the mega-plans for future toll roads and to use the gasoline tax revenue, which was created to build and maintain Texas roadways. Unfortunately, the legislature continues to divert 40 percent of this revenue to other special interests. Furthermore, the governor and legislative officials maintain a freeze on fuel taxes without insisting on an annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) to those taxes.
Email the local Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) at sabcmpo@sametroplan.org to demand the removal of toll roads and CDAs (contracts that hand-over our TX roads to foreign toll operators in 50-year sweetheart deals!) from its plans; to use traditional gas tax funding NOT privatizing and tolling Texas roads as its source of funding for these projects; to NOT vote for ANY plan with toll projects and/or CDA's in it.
Email legislators to demand a halt to toll roads and the exploitation of taxpayers for political agendas and special interest pandering.
Contact Texas Senators: http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members.htm
Contact members of the Texas House of Representatives: http://www.house.state..tx.us/members/welcome.php
Consequently, Texans must act quickly to demand a halt to TxDOT's exploitation and its push to develop private roadways for only the wealthy who can afford to pay to use them. It is a reality that up to 80 percent off-the-top of toll revenues will go to the companies building and maintaining the toll roads and the state contracts with private toll companies have a 50-year clause, which ensures that our children and grandchildren will continue to pay these toll taxes to use roadways.
It's time to demand a more open, responsible and ethically run TxDOT and state government.
No more special interest toll plans and CDA deals.
Peter Stern, a former director of information services, university professor and public school administrator, is a disabled Vietnam veteran who lives in Driftwood., TX.
10 comments:
I guess Mr. Stern rides a bike made in America. The toll roads are not just for the wealthy. My job requires me to drive a very large truck and after paying these tolls I still come out ahead. Why is everything so political? We have a problem without an easy solution. To say use the gas tax is not a viable alernative now. Our roads are woefully overcrowded to handle the traffic and Cap-metro cannot figure out how to operate light rail. So make some real meaningful suggestions and don't just criticize the "system".
Out of curiosity, why can't we use the gas tax?
Ok Mr. Truck Driver, how about this "non-system" suggestion: Since you are making money as a commercial driver using the toll roads, you could offer to pay a "surcharge" for us non-commercial users who have already paid our taxes for the roads being confiscated by the toll road good old boys. That sounds fair to me.
If there were ever a need for an amendment to the Texas Constitution this is it. In the next Legislative session, how about a push for an amendment outlawing toll roads in the State, both present and future? Nobody in Austin wants to admit they are for toll roads, let’s see how they vote on it.
I correct myelf we should use the gas tax but it's not enough money to build the infrastructure we need. I too have already paid my taxes too but we need the roads NOW. It's a very simple user tax. If you do not like to pay the tolls just wait until there is enough money to build better roads.
The reasons why the gas tax is "not enough" was pointed out by Stern:
1) Forty percent of our gas tax revenue goes to OTHER special interests
2) There is no annual COLA on gas taxes and has not been one for the past decade.
Why don't you read what the guy wrote instead of complaining and making stupid comments? That's a rhetorical question, so no need to respond.
It is a fact that tolls roads seldom, if ever, are a cost-effective method of building and maintaining roadways.
I'm a Republican and I recognize the absurdity of pushing toll roads.
Look at state that have had toll roads for many years. They have not resolved their road problems and many have added to the problems with toll roads.
Furthermore, the cost of tolls may be increased without warning or without a legislative or public vote.
You want toll roads? That's quite a legacy we will leave to future generations of Texans and a hefty ongoing and escalation tax cost.
Anonymous #1:
"I guess Mr. Stern rides a bike made in America."
????
What sort of idiot comment is that?
NOT very germain and constructive to the commentary.
Using a REAL gas tax without any diversions and providing reality-based COLA's IS the solution to provide significant tax dollars to build and maintain our roadways.
More roads QUICK QUICK is not the answer. We're running out of money and clean air. Smarter planning to contain the insane sprawl is a better approach. Saves lives, taxes, tolls and energy, and helps save our planet. Get with the 21st Century New Frontier Movement, people!
The problem is that with more public transportation it becomes the "roadway" for the masses while the wealthy, those who can afford to, drive on their private empty toll roads.
And where do you get your tax dollars to maintain the public transportation consistently??? You can't just do it on fares.
Fares will just continue to rise as the dollar continues to inflate. The masses won't be able to take public transportation if it also become unaffordable.
The point here is that more toll roads definitely is NOT the answer.
The question is "Will the people of Texas stop the "onslaught" of toll roads by getting rid of Perry in the 2010 election along with those legislators who promise no more toll roads but still let them multiply?"
Who really benefits from the tollroads? You and I? Not so much! Who really collects those tolls? Texas citizenry? Not really!! Foreign entities? Worth lookin' into??!! And TX-DOT: corruption has run amuck!! How much more longer are Texans going to allow Perry and his cronies to cheat, rob and steal from this State??!!
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