TxDOT threatens elected officals - again!

Dictatorship and bullying tactics continue across Texas (El Paso's Rep. Joe Pickett: "TxDOT Trampled On Us"). San Antonio's Commissioner Tommy Adkisson letter explains it all. Anyone who dare questions or disagrees with Perry’s version of privatizing and tolling public highways will be punished.

January 26, 2007

Honorable Rick Perry
Governor of Texas
P.O. Box 12428
Austin, Texas 78711

Dear Governor Perry,

At last Monday’s Bexar County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) meeting my fellow Commissioner Lyle Larson sought to reinstate overpasses on 281 North of Loop 1604 in lieu of the TxDOT-planned tolling of this stretch of the road. Two VIA Board members on the MPO voted with Commissioner Larson and me on this measure. Unfortunately from reliable sources, I am informed that the TxDOT District Engineer David Casteel and Hope Andrade, your appointment to the TxDOT Commission, sought to reprimand or punish two of the MPO Board members representing VIA for their support for Commissioner Larson. We further understand that you have said that VIA’s legislative program was effectively dead in the current session as a result of their MPO vote.

TxDOT leadership has begun to take on a very different and mean-spirited tone of late. “Ric Williamson and his group take any discussion that seems to move away from their core position as a threat,” said Senate Transportation Chair John Carona of Dallas as reported by Ben Wear of the Austin American Statesman on January 18. It appears as though at least some of his fellow Commissioners are modeling themselves after the Chair.

This is unacceptable and will not be tolerated, especially coming from appointed officials who are unable to be held accountable by the public. Though you are a toll road proponent, I respect your right to disagree. I know from my time of service with you that you would certainly respect my right to disagree as well as that of our VIA Board members. I respectfully ask that your appointees and staff do the same.

Sincerely,

Tommy Adkisson

CC Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst
Speaker of the House Tom Cradick
Members of the Bexar County Legislative Delegation