Toll Authority Shark Gets 25% Raise!

Mike Heiligenstein, executive director of the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA), just got a big fat raise, from board members who were caught profiting off toll roads.

Heiligenstein will make $190,000 in base salary, as well as receive $40,000 in deferred compensation (which he could take now) and other cash payments - not to mention numerous perks such as car allowance.

Heiligenstein got a 25% raise, when most people would be fired. It’s been documented that he lied to elected officials and central Texas communities about toll rates.

For years, Heiligenstein promised that our tolls would only cost 12 to 15 cents a mile. A recent Statesman article exposed the Heiligenstein that tolls are costing as much as $1.50 a mile. 10 times the promised rate!

The Comptroller’s investigative report lays out how Heiligenstein and the his crooked pals (toll authority board members) hijacked our tax dollars and our roads for their own profit with the unaccountable quasi government agency they created:

"Mike Heiligenstein was a member of the Williamson County Commissioners Court until December 2003, and in that capacity voted for the formation of CTRMA and for the appointments of four of its board members.”

Then, those board members hired Heiligenstein as Executive Director.

The comptroller’s investigative exposed Heiligenstein’s toll authority for “double taxation without accountability” and giving out NO BID contracts to themselves and friends (see Appendix 5).

Heiligenstein is plagued with a history of failing to meet his financial responsibilities. Heiligenstein’s bankruptcy from 1990 (#90-14004 Williamson County) included two debtors which were also two of Heiligenstein’s board member selections, James Mills and Mike Robinson.

And, in 2004, deadbeat dad Heiligenstein refused to pay child support. District Court Judge Jergins signed the order (case # 03-556-f395) for income to be withheld in the amount of $1,500 per month. More about Heiligenstein, and his constant irresponsible behavior HERE.