11/08/2005
Federal Engineer claims I'm wrong, but offers NO details.
My interview with Brett Jackson, Central Texas Turnpike Project Engineer, FHWA Texas Division:
SAL: Brett, Check it out! GUEST BLOGGER Slams Props 1 & 9 on DallasBlog.com!
http://dallasblog.com/dallas-blogs/2005/11/7/guest-blog-props-1-9-are-tax-wolves-by-sal-costello.html
BRETT: Perry's TxDOT to toll public highways for the first time in the U.S. (is an) INCORRECT STATEMENT.
SAL: Please provide where and when another public highway was shifted to a toll road in the U.S.
BRETT: Oh, you meant to say shifted, or you meant to say toll conversion. Is your article correct?
SAL: OK...I'll bite...name a public highway that has been tolled.
BRETT: Define a public highway
SAL: A highway for which public money has been spent and which was dedicated for public use as a freeway.
BRETT: I think you should research that a bit more. Public funds have been spent on many a toll road.
SAL: You are the one that said my statement was incorrect. You are the "professional engineer". That would lead me to believe you know of another example of where a public highway was tolled. Does tolling public highways give you more job security?
BRETT: No Reply
11/07/2005
11/06/2005
BIG NEWS: Trans Texas Corridor Grassroots Activist David Stall, founder of CorridorWatch.org, announces run for State Senate!
NOVEMBER 7, 2005
P R E S S R E L E A S E
CONTACT:
David Stall
david.stall@stallforsenate.org
November 06, 2005
As Candidate for State
Senate District 18!
The formal announcement came in a five-minute speech broadcast via the Internet Monday afternoon, November 7. Stall is widely known as a Republican grassroots activist and co-founder of CorridorWatch.org, a statewide non-partisan organization opposing the Trans-Texas Corridor project. Stall acknowledges that the run for Senate has been stimulated by his objections to the Trans-Texas Corridor.
“I agree that the state population is growing and we need better and safer roads. I also understand that we need to address congestion, but I have serious concerns about the Trans-Texas Corridor and how it is being advanced,” says Stall. “After nearly two years of attending state agency and legislative meetings and visiting with thousands of Texans, I see a bigger picture and bigger problems. There is a tremendous disconnect between the will of the people and the leadership in Austin.”
As examples of how the leadership is out of step Stall says, “Texans are asking for lower taxes and the legislature is giving them more debt and bigger government. And they’re doing it in ways that are hidden from the public and lack fundamental accountability.”
In his announcement speech Stall said, “I have watched our legislature in action – and failing to act.” Moments later Stall said, “And maybe worst of all, in the last four years we have seen our state government spend more time and money accomplishing less than ever before.” Stall has been actively involved in Texas politics and local government for 30-years. His background includes emergency management, law enforcement, municipal finance, and, business management. Stall, a police officer and arson investigator, retired from law enforcement with twenty-one years of continuous service that began as a patrolman and concluded at retirement with the rank of Fire Marshal Chief. Since 1991 he has been a professional city manager serving urban and rural communities in Colorado and Harris counties. In 2003 he earned the designation of Credentialed Manager from the International City/County Management Association.
Stall has previously been elected to city council and during his public career been appointed to numerous positions particularly in the areas of parks, emergency management, and municipal finance.
Stall has served on the board of directors of many community organizations, including art alliance council, transportation partnership, water purification plant, convention & visitor’s bureau, tourism, volunteer fire department, emergency medial corps, and service clubs.
In 2000, after twenty-five years of living and working in the Houston metropolitan area David Stall and his wife Linda relocated to a 90-year-old farmhouse near the charming town of Fayetteville in Fayette County.
Presently Stall is vice-chairman of the United States Selective Service System Local Board that serves five counties within District 18, a director of the Columbus Lion’s Club, member of the Clean Texas Citizen Advisory Board, Texas Farm Bureau, and is active in several other civic organizations.
The David Stall for State Senate Campaign is taking full advantage of modern technology and making good use of the Internet. “David and I have spent the last year and a half meeting thousands of Texans across the state and in District 18. By using the Internet all of our supporters across the District could listen to David make his announcement,” said the candidate’s wife Linda Stall.
# # #
Public Announcement and Webcast
of speech is scheduled for:
2:00pm Monday, November 7, 2005
via an Internet audio broadcast at
www.StallForSenate.org
Media can access advance
copy of speech text at:
www.StallForSenate.org/press/dsfss-spch-110705.htm
Additional candidate information is
also available on the Internet at:
www.StallForSenate.org
of speech is scheduled for:
2:00pm Monday, November 7, 2005
via an Internet audio broadcast at
www.StallForSenate.org
Media can access advance
copy of speech text at:
www.StallForSenate.org/press/dsfss-spch-110705.htm
Additional candidate information is
also available on the Internet at:
www.StallForSenate.org
"Our legislature has placed a proposition on the ballot that opens the door to unlimited public debt without identifying how we will ever repay it. Friends, I’m talking about Proposition One. It is a measure that effectively subsidizes giant profit-making corporations with taxpayer money. And yet, the same legislature failed to provide protection against seizure of your property if the government thinks someone else can make better use of it than you!"
– David Stall from speech above
11/05/2005
11/04/2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Freeway Toll Authority Pays the Toll
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
11/4/05, People for Efficient Transportation
Contact: Sal Costello
Sal@TexasTollParty.com
Freeway Toll Authority Pays the Toll
Mobility Authority boldly told the press they will appeal and refuse to pay.
Only to pay up and admit defeat weeks later.
Mobility Authority boldly told the press they will appeal and refuse to pay.
Only to pay up and admit defeat weeks later.
AUSTIN, Tex. – Judge Darlene Byrne ruled Texas RMA board terms were unconstitutional in July. In September, the Judge demanded Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA) was to pay more than $19,000 in legal fees to People for Efficient Transportation Inc. (PET Inc.), who brought the lawsuit last spring.
CTRMA quickly put out a press release statewide on 9/14/05 in which council Brian Cassidy claimed "We do not believe payment is warranted and the authority will appeal" (http://www.ctrma.org/pr.php)
The CTRMA check for $19,331.98 was delivered to PET Inc. council yesterday and there will be no appeal.
"Gov. Perry's new bureaucratic RMA not only gives out no bid contracts to themselves and their friends (as stated in the Comptrollers report - http://www.window.state.tx.us/specialrpt/ctrma05/), but this check proves these crooks who will set the toll rates for roads we've already paid for, just keep telling mistruths at every turn. Their press release just weeks ago (http://www.ctrma.org/pr.php) in which they beat their chest and proclaimed they would appeal, and not pay at all, was just one more of many statements to misdirect the press and the public. We've just begun to fight for the public roads we've already funded. The people will not allow Gov. Perry to toll roads that are already ours." said Sal Costello, founder of People for Efficient Transportation Inc.
###
11/03/2005
11/02/2005
LULAC, HTA, and Toll Party Join Forces to Fight Props 1 & 9 and Perry's Freeway Tolls
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Terri Hall,
San Antonio Regional Director, Texas Toll Party
EMAIL: terrih@gvtc.com
WEB: www.TexasTollParty.com
Texas Toll Party, LULAC & other groups join forces to oppose Props 1 & 9!
San Antonio, TX, November 2, 2005 – From all over the region, citizens opposed to freeway tolls on publicly funded highways are joining forces to oppose Propositions 1 & 9. LULAC, Texas Toll Party, Homeowners Taxpayers Association, Candidate for Attorney General David Van Os among others are working together to defeat Props 1 & 9.
WHO: LULAC, Texas Toll Party, Homeowners Taxpayers Association, Candidate for Attorney General David Van Os, and Bexar County Commissioner Tommy Adkisson
WHAT: Press conference uniting against Propositions 1 & 9
WHEN: Wed., Nov. 2 @ 10:00 AM
WHERE: La Foccacia's Conference Room at 800 S. Alamo
Many will caravan over to Carroll Bell Elementary School at 2717 Pleasanton Road for Governor Perry's press conference at 11:00 AM to voice their opposition in person to his "innovative" financing toll road scheme.
11/01/2005
10/31/2005
How Double Tax Tolls will fund Trans Texas Corridor
In Sunday's Star Telegram, Perry's appointee to govern TxDOT says the money we spend on tolls could end up paying for Prop 1 unlimited rail debt! That means our toll dollars would pay for Union Pacific's new rail across Texas - what a deal for U.P. - who continues to make record profits.
"Williamson said toll road revenues could be
among the sources of repayment (for Prop 1 rail debt)."
- Star Telegram
among the sources of repayment (for Prop 1 rail debt)."
- Star Telegram
Houston Business Journal/MSNBC
Prop 1:
"Opponents argue that private companies should pay to get their lines out of cities and that the fund will provide a blank check for the state to take the heat off those companies -- many of which are political contributors to Gov. Rick Perry's campaign coffers. Perry's controversial Trans-Texas Corridor plan would also benefit from the fund"
MPO Director said this about Prop 1 rail fund, "moving the freight line could create problems for businesses that rely on access to trains"
As people vote, more information comes out. Todd Staples finally tells the truth on how Prop 1 rail will help pay for Trans Texas Corridor. Also, an MPO Director spills the beans about how even after taxpayer pay unlimited taxes and debt for generations (to rejuvenate private industries rail), industry rail still needs to get into cities! More problems equals more of our taxdollars down the line.
“It's possible that we may need to work on recruiting a short-line company to bring freight to and from our urbanized area to a main line,” he said."
- Waco Tribune
- Waco Tribune
10/29/2005
VIDEO: Tricksters KRUSEE & STAPLES vs. Costello on Prop 1 corporate rail gravy train
Tricky PROP 1 rail: CORPORATE WELFARE.Krusee and Staples try to double talk and double team on unlimited tax, debt and Trans Texas Corridor Prop 1 rail fund in this News 8 Austin story. Gov. Perry, Mike "Double Tax" Krusee and Todd "Loopholes" Staples have taken tens of thousands of dollars from Corporate railers like Union Pacific (who will benefit from taxpayer giveaway Prop 1) according to the Texas Ethics Commission. These tricky "tax, toll and spend Republicans" have an unquenching thirst for the taxpayer dollar.
"Lawmakers pushing for Proposition 1 say it has nothing to do with the mega-transportation project known as the Trans Texas Corridor. And yet, Prop. 1 would facilitate many of the projects that fall under that plan.
Opponents of the amendment say it's a sneaky way to get voter approval."
– NEWS 8 AUSTIN
10/27/2005
Councilman Raul Alvarez: Integrity (so much for the others)
From Aus Chron today:
Last Thursday, with the ink barely dry on that morning's agenda, the ongoing debate over the proposed Central Texas toll road study careened onto the dais. One of the council's first items was approval of an Interlocal Agreement between Austin, Round Rock, surrounding counties, the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority, and the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization – all stakeholders in CAMPO's proposed, toll road-centered, mobility plan (some holding noticeably more stake than others). Raul Alvarez had pulled the item from the consent agenda, while expressing concerns over the direction and independence of the study's steering committee. Brewster McCracken tried to sooth Alvarez concerning the study's delay, arguing that as noncity stakeholders joined what had originally been the city's get-together, the study's scope inevitably expanded. Unsoothed, Alvarez characterized the newcomers as party crashers. "We get two votes on – potentially on – what the study says and does, versus us being the managers … driving the process," he said. "It's great to be working with everyone, but it does raise some questions with me about how independent the study is going to be." Alvarez's doubts were milder versions of the outrage already expressed by toll-road opponents, most notably the Austin Toll Party's Sal Costello.
For his part, McCracken said the study and steering committee represent "the best example of [regional] cooperation in Central Texas history" – take that, Envision Central Texas – and that any fears of the study changing direction were unfounded, as its financing makes it "pretty dang near set in stone." The measure passed 6-1, Alvarez the lone wolf. "To a certain degree," he said afterward, "it's out of our hands now."
10/26/2005
Van Os - AG candidate: Vote NO to special interest-dominated amendments!
"Propositions 1 and 9 are on the ballot to speed up the Perry Government's rush to put higher profits into the bank accounts of private developers at the taxpayers' expense, through the public subsidization of privately owned and operated transportation facilities by the actions of un-elected developers' cronies. Just vote NO."
10/25/2005
David Gets Governor Goliath in front of Press!
From TexasTollParty.com organizer Linda Curtis:
Dear Friends: After receiving an anonymous tip, 3 of us brave souls "greeted" Gov. Rick Perry as he showed up for his photo op while early voting at the Courthouse in Austin this morning...(Click on "comments" below for more of the story)
Dear Friends: After receiving an anonymous tip, 3 of us brave souls "greeted" Gov. Rick Perry as he showed up for his photo op while early voting at the Courthouse in Austin this morning...(Click on "comments" below for more of the story)
Click here for NEWS 8 story and VIDEO: Krusee vs. Costello on Prop 9
"The comptroller came out with this report and showed that the Regional Mobility Authorities create double taxation without accountability. And that these folks are giving no-bid contracts to themselves and their friends. They shouldn't exist, let alone get six-year terms," Costello said.
Daily Texan - NO to Prop 1 & 9
"In a time where our legislators can't seem to come up with enough money to give the state's children a basic education, it seems unreasonable to be subsidizing the rejuvenation of privately-owned rail lines."
– Daily Texan, 10/24/05
– Daily Texan, 10/24/05
10/22/2005
Flyering Squads hit the streets to shoot down Props 1 & 9
Contact: Linda Curtis
TexasTollParty.com Organizer
(512)371-9926
****PRESS ADVISORY****
Flyering Squads hit the streets
to shoot down Props 1 & 9
- GOV. PERRY'S UNLIMITED TAX, DEBT
& TRANS TEXAS CORRIDOR SCHEMES
Austin, TX, October 21, 2005 - TexasToll Party.com (like the Boston Tea Party) will launch flyering squads of volunteers at intersections across Austin this Saturday at 11:00 am to urge the defeat of two key propositions to support Gov. Perry's plans to privatize and toll public highways and fund his unpopular Trans Texas Corridor. Texas constitutional amendments, Prop 1 & 9, will be on the ballot starting Monday, in this upcoming election and will open the door for unlimited taxes, limitless debt, the mammoth 4,000 mile toll road known as the Trans Texas Corridor, and the unpopular "double-tax" urban tolls.
Prop 1 rail fund opens the door to unlimited tax and debt - for Texans to fund privately owned rail in the $200 billion Trans Texas Corridor. Proposition 9 will break the Texas constitution's term limitations for unelected board members to the new regional "toll authorities" - who will set the tolls on roads we've already paid for - extending terms from 2 years to 6 years.
What: Volunteer Flyering Squads to Derail Prop 1 & Bust Prop 9
Who: Grassroots TexasTollParty.com volunteers
When: 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 22, 2005
Where: Oak Hill at the Y, Mopac & Parmer, 71 & Burlson and more...
Prop 1 rail fund opens the door to unlimited tax and debt - for Texans to fund privately owned rail in the $200 billion Trans Texas Corridor. Proposition 9 will break the Texas constitution's term limitations for unelected board members to the new regional "toll authorities" - who will set the tolls on roads we've already paid for - extending terms from 2 years to 6 years.
What: Volunteer Flyering Squads to Derail Prop 1 & Bust Prop 9
Who: Grassroots TexasTollParty.com volunteers
When: 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 22, 2005
Where: Oak Hill at the Y, Mopac & Parmer, 71 & Burlson and more...
###
TexasTollParty.com Office, 4533 Avenue A, #208, Austin, TX 78751
10/20/2005
10/19/2005
Gov. Perry's Prop 1 unlimited tax and debt Gravy Train.
"If you like subsidizing Amtrak,you'll love subsidizing Union Pacific!"
– Gov. Tricky Ricky comments on Prop 1 rail fund as it
will open the door to taxpayers paying tens of Billions in tax
and debt to subsidize private rail companies such as
Union Pacific for Perry's $200 Billion Trans Texas Corridor.
– Gov. Tricky Ricky comments on Prop 1 rail fund as it
will open the door to taxpayers paying tens of Billions in tax
and debt to subsidize private rail companies such as
Union Pacific for Perry's $200 Billion Trans Texas Corridor.
Meanwhile, Union Pacific Reports Fifth Straight Year of Revenue Growth last year and gives tens of thousands of dollars in contributions to Perry, Krusee & Staples. It's an easy big government gravy train when the editors are asleep at the wheel and the voters vote for unlimited taxes and debt on themselves, their kids and their grandkids.
PLUS...OUR FULL FAITH AND CREDIT IS SPECIAL INTERESTS INSURANCE POLICY! Texas taxpayers will also guarantee payment of our generous corporate welfare of tens of Billions to the Trans Texas Corridor land grab. That's right, when dedicated revenue is insufficient to cover the payments on the Billions in debt we incur for the private rail corporations, such as any bonds, notes, obligations, or credit agreements - we pledge the states full faith and credit to bail out the boondoggle. The money keeps flowing when you're the special interests and Gov. Perry has your back!
PLUS...OUR FULL FAITH AND CREDIT IS SPECIAL INTERESTS INSURANCE POLICY! Texas taxpayers will also guarantee payment of our generous corporate welfare of tens of Billions to the Trans Texas Corridor land grab. That's right, when dedicated revenue is insufficient to cover the payments on the Billions in debt we incur for the private rail corporations, such as any bonds, notes, obligations, or credit agreements - we pledge the states full faith and credit to bail out the boondoggle. The money keeps flowing when you're the special interests and Gov. Perry has your back!
10/18/2005
32 counties formally oppose Trans-Texas Corridor.
With members in 174 counties, CorridorWatch.org
has been a moving force in Texas.
has been a moving force in Texas.
32 counties have passed formal resolutions opposing the Trans-Texas Corridor: Bastrop County - Blanco County - Bosque County - Brewster County - Colorado County - Concho County - Edwards County - Falls County - FayetteCounty - Gillespie County - Gonzales County - Grimes County - Guadalupe County - Hill County - Kendall County - Kerr County - Kimble County - La Salle County - Lee County - Limestone County - Live Oak County - McCulloch County - McLennan County - McMullen County - Mason County - Menard County - Milam County - Navarro County - Raines County - Real County - Waller County - Wharton County (Many other counties continue to raise concerns and issues to this day).
Each county above has written their own resolution, although they have borrowed text from each other. Here are two representative samples:
The 32 counties above took action because of the work of David and Linda Stall of CorridorWatch.org. David and Linda Stall are true Texas patriots who love Texas and have dedicated many months of their lives educating citizens and elected officials about the truths of the Special Interest Trans Texas Corridor.
The Stalls are selfless and devoted to their country. They are some of the best people you will ever meet, have no ties to special interest and will make you more proud to be a Texan than you might already be.
One County Commissioner Judge asked David Stall to come to his court to discuss the TTC after another commisioner put in the request. The Judge was a skeptic and said up front that David could only speak for 15 minutes. After the first 15 minutes, he asked him to speak for another 15, and another and another.
If you are an elected official, care about Texas, and would like to ask David to come and speak in front of your government body, email him today and ask: davidstall@corridorwatch.org
10/17/2005
Great quote from SA TTP Director Terri Hall
Perry's plan to shift all our public highways to tollways is nothing like what has happened in our country before.
Traditional tolls have been designed and built as toll roads. And, they have been built with investor dollars.
Perry's public highway tolls will hold Texans hostage to pay a toll to drive on freeways we've funded, just to go to work, school and shop. And the rates will be set by unelected people that have been found to give no-bid contracts to themselves and their pals.
The SA Texas Toll Party Director Terri Hall has some great words of wisdom on her blog:
"Mr. Krusee, I have some very basic principles to share with you, so please pay attention. Free market principles cannot apply to limited public assets like roadways. We, the consumer, can't go build a competing road if we don't like the way a private corporation builds and tolls our existing ones."
10/15/2005
10/14/2005
SA Express Business reporter needs to go back to school.
Perry promised that no public funds would be used. Did he keep his promise? No. The corridor is in direct opposition to Texas' Republican Party platform. While private special-interest corporations profit, families pay more as they help fund the largest land grab in Texas history — Perry's Trans Texas Corridor. It gets worse. Our state debt commitment also will be open-ended for the Proposition 1 rail fund, like a credit card with no ceiling. The state is committing taxpayers to massive debt for generations, while private special-interest corporations profit. I agree that private rail, in some cases, should be relocated, but not without a price tag or terms or limits. It's fiscally irresponsible and bad business. Let's get real. Vote no to special interests' unlimited taxes and debt. Sal Costello, founder,
An SA Express "Business" reporter published a Pro-Prop 1 article called "A vote for rail relocation fund is a vote to boost S.A. economy". It claims the new taxpayer funded tax & debt rail fund is a good idea. Well, he didn't mention the taxpayer possible pricetag of Billions of our dollars, just like the Perry folks who continue to drop those flaming bags of tax & debt poop at our front doors.
Colorado is not Texas. Colorado does not have a rogue governor trying to force a $200 Billion dollar Trans Texas Corridor on Texans. Perry promised no tax dollars would be used. Prop 1 proves that Perry will use tax dollars for the TTC.
My response as printed in the SA Express:
Rail fund is bad business.
Re: David Hendricks' column "A vote for rail relocation fund is a vote to boost S.A. economy" (Business, Oct. 5): Would you agree to buy a car without seeing a price tag? I wouldn't either. How about buying a car without a price tag for a neighbor?
Proposition 1 is just that, but worse. It's an open-ended corporate subsidy scheme — with blank checks. Taxpayers will pay unlimited tax dollars to move private rail lines — in some cases into Gov. Rick Perry's controversial Trans Texas Corridor.
People for Efficient Transportation
and TexasTollParty.com,
Austin, TX
10/13/2005
10/11/2005
"Independent" Review Hijacked by Toll Authority.
The foxes decide they will guard the hen house.Last spring, the City of Austin unanimously approved an Independent Review of the Toll Authority's plan for Austin. As the City resolution states, phase 2 toll roads (tolls placed on public highways) have "generated controversy and division in our community", and "there is widespread desire for independent review of the information related to that plan". The review did not begin last spring, even though the resolution from March 3, 2005 promised the study would NOT be delayed,
"The city manager is directed to inquire if the RMA (toll authority) or other government entities would be willing to participate in the cost of the study, however the study is not to be delayed"
City of Austin Councilman Brewster McCracken has spent many months looking to "expand the study" by searching out more funds. Mind you, the city had the bare bones study fully funded with $150,000. But, Brewster said he wanted the study to include alternatives. Today the additional funds are lined up with the toll authority putting up to $125,000 or 35% of the funds for the review. For months McCracken said ALL the meetings would be made open to the public, that a citizens committee would steer the neutral company hired to produce the study, and the community would have full opportunity to speak up in this very public independent review. Brewster said "Everything will be open and in the sunshine"
A draft of the interlocal agreement shows the truth. The process has been hijacked by the toll authority:
• City pays majority of the study but majorityGET THIS: The pro-toll committee can decide NOT to accept the study results!
of votes come from outside the city, and the
same people that voted to toll roads we've
already paid for!
• The Toll Authority (CTRMA) is the
Project Coordinator!
• Process not open: Secret meetings are
allowed, public cannot speak at all meetings,
and review committee not subject to
open meetings act.
How can the toll authority do an "independent" review on themselves? Who are they kidding? McCracken's Independent Review could not be more of a sham, or less "independent". These greased weasels really must think we are stupid. They keep wasting more of our time and our tax dollars. It's like ENRON auditing themselves.
10/10/2005
Pro-Toll Guru Slams Perry's TxDOT.
Peter Samuel, the father of traditional toll road privatization, editor of the nations premier pro-toll newsletter called TollRoadsNews.com, is also a Senior Fellow of a think tank that pushes for an almost "militant" privatization of toll roads - and privatization of just about everything else. That think tank is called the Reason Public Policy Institute.
Now, the Pro-Toll Peter Samuel speaks out and thrashes Perry's TxDOT in his newsletter,
"Heaven knows Texas DOT is vulnerable.
It has no coherent explanation for its project selection, or for the way tax and toll monies are mixed. It has been cavalier in proposing tolls on highways already funded - breaching a long-established piece of political wisdom about tolling.
TxDOT produces precious little analysis of costs and benefits, yet it is pressing ahead with a huge array of toll projects."
10/09/2005
November 8, 2005 Election: "Tax Wolves in sheep's clothing". Early voting begins October 24th.
In 2001 a proposition was placed as a referendum to voters that developed the Texas Mobility Fund. Texans voted for "mobility" and Prop 15 became a constitutional amendment. Only later we found it was the first "Tax Wolf in sheep's clothing". The ballot language of Proposition 15 did not openly and accurately inform voters that the Perry-motivated special-interest plan would allow Perry's TxDOT to toll our public highways and push the Trans Texas Corridor forward.
Perry's Prop 15 took accountability and the will of the public out of the equation - so special interests could seize OUR LAND and OUR ROADS.
2005: PROPOSITION 1
And, here comes the "Tax Wolf" rearing its ugly head again with the Proposition 1 rail fund. It's a similarly smoke-screen voter trick as was Prop 15, except this time it's after more of our tax dollars by subsidizing private corporations rail. Proposition 1 is an open-ended corporate subsidy scheme --- a blank check. Taxpayers will pay unlimited tax dollars to move private corporation rail lines into Gov. Perry's Trans Texas Corridor, and this after the governor had promised Texans that no public funds would be used.
And, it gets worse. Our state DEBT commitment also will be open-ended, like a credit card with no ceiling, for state bonds that may be issued from this new fund. In a veiled power-play and further by amending the Constitution to authorize the creation of this fund, the state is committing its taxpayers to massive debt for generations.
Unaccountable, unelected people decide how the taxpayer based rail fund is spent, as corporations profit. The new bloated bureaucracy is empowered with our unlimited tax dollars and debt to move forward with the largest land grab in Texas history --- Perry's unpopular Trans Texas Corridor. The Corridor is in direct opposition to the platform of the Republican Party of Texas.
2005: PROPOSITION 9
Proposition 9 allows non-elected, unaccountable Tolling Authority board members extended term limits. Under the proposal, current 2-year term limits would expand to 6 years for appointed members of Perry's Regional Mobility Authorities (RMAs). These new and powerful special interest bureaucracies will have the authority to privatize and toll our public highways, and without urgently needed accountability, they will set the toll rates for roads we've already paid for with tax dollars!
Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn put out a comprehensive scathing report that shows how RMA's create "double taxation without accountability". Strayhorn also found conflicts of interest, favoritism and self-profiteering as board members gave NO BID contracts to their friends and their own companies. Gov. Perry's RMA boards should be required to abide by the standard provided in the Constitution that limits the terms of members of such boards to two years.
The open-ended language of Props 1 and 9 appears to adhere to an integrity standard, but of course they don't mention the Trans Texas Corridor, the land grab, unlimited taxes, unlimited debt, lack of accountability and double-tax issues.
We must STOP the "Tax Wolf" at the next election starting with early voting on October 14th and on election day, November 8th. Say NO to Prop 1 & 9. Call our TexasTollParty.com office at 512.371.9926 to work with us to stop the Tax Wolf.
10/08/2005
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