|
.jpg)
Yard Sign
Available By Mail
[ CLICK HERE ]
Lou Dobbs revisits the TTC
NAFTA Superhighway
5/28/2008 — CNN's Lou
Dobbs and Bill
Tucker dispel the the
Trans Texas
Corridor
superhighway myth.
[VIDEO]
TxDOT prepares for
construction of TTC-35
3/2/2008 — TxDOT is
advertising for a
contractor to
supervise TTC-35
engineers and
facility developers
and perform a wide
array of services
relating to:
procurement,
contracting,
planning, design,
construction
management,
maintenance, or
operations of
multi-modal
corridors.
[NOTICE]
Lou Dobbs puts
spotlight on the TTC
NAFTA Superhighway
2/19/2008 — CNN's Lou
Dobbs and Bill
Tucker discuss the
Trans Texas
Corridor.
[VIDEO]
2/20/2008 — Lou
Dobbs and Bill
Tucker continue
their look at
opposition to the
Trans Texas
Corridor.
[VIDEO]
I-69/TTC Tier I Public Hearings Complete
February 4, 2008,
TxDOT began a series of public hearings to receive comments on a
Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for I-69/Trans Texas
Corridor. Those hearings are now finished.
[SCHEDULE]
A Citizens' Guide to
Participating at Public Hearings on the I-69/TTC Draft
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) - CorridorWatch.org
I-69/TTC-69 Fact Sheet (PDF) - Brandt Mannchen
FREE STICKERS!
TTC-69 Promoted as
an Interstate in Rio
Grande Valley
2/1/2008 — Just one
member of the public
asked TxDOT
questions at the
town hall meeting
attended by less
than 100 in Weslaco.
Sadly the public and
press in the Valley
apparently believe
that the TTC could
give them a
traditional style
interstate highway.
Second Huntsville
Meeting Attracts 800
& "Different" Tone
1/31/2008 — No
question, there is
strong opposition to
TTC-69 in Walker
County. The first
Huntsville meeting
was among those that
Commissioner
Houghton used as an
example in later
contentious
meetings, like
Hempstead, to say he
didn't hear a
negative tone from
those town hall
participants.
According to local
news reports,
Commissioner
Houghton was unable
to attend
Wednesday's meeting.
Too bad, he missed
seeing another Texas
community change its
tone.
Huntsville
News Report
Kolkhorst:
There are other road options
TxDOT Begins Public Reeducation Effort
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has formally begun a
massive
public relations
and
public reeducation effort in an
aggressive and expensive attempt to stem the chorus of
objections voiced thus far over the Trans Texas Corridor (TTC). MORE>>
Victoria Produces
Another 1,000+ Full House
TUESDAY —
Like other stops on
the TxDOT town hall
tour, it was hard to
find anyone in
Victoria supporting the TTC
plan. Deputy
Executive Director
Steve Simmons was
asked why Texans
couldn't vote on the TTC. His answer was
repeated throughout
the evening, "the
public hearings give
you the opportunity
to vote on the TTC."
As 11pm approached
they were still
calling names out of
about 100 concerned
citizens who
remained. Then they called CorridorWatch
founder Linda Stall
to the microphone.
"Mr. Simmons," she
started. "You say
that the public
hearings will be a
vote on the TTC?,"
she continued before
driving her point
home. "How about the
public hearings for
TTC-35, how did that
vote turn out?" For
the record she
described the
outcome as about
14,000 opposed and 9
for the TTC.
Seriously, those
numbers are pretty
close. That lopsided
result led Ric
Williamson to tell
the press, " The
purpose of the
public hearings is
not to take a poll
or survey or to
estimate the
supporters or
detractors."
Despite the bluster
and brash rebuttal,
CorridorWatch is
preparing to force
the issue at the
federal level to
ensure the public
hearings are given
the proper weight
and consideration
required under the
law. The result may
not be the outcome
TxDOT is trying
desperately to
champion.
Victoria News Report
& Video
100,000
Hits Knock
CorridorWatch.org
Off The Internet
Visitors to our
website generated
99,782 hits and
downloaded 4.4GB of
data during a single
24 hour period
ending in the early
morning of January
29, 2008. "They rang
our bell," said
David Stall who
maintains the
website. The result
was four hours of
down time effecting
the website and
e-mail system until
6am Tuesday morning.
Stall says
Houghton's NAFTA
video created the
bandwidth spike that
led to the
disruption. To solve
the problem we have
both increased our
capacity and moved
the popular Houghton
video to YouTube.
[video]
More Than 1,000 Pack
Austin County
Meeting in Bellville
Week two of TxDOT's
town hall meetings
starts with a bang!
Over 1,000 show up
to ask questions and
let TxDOT know that
they don't need or
want the TTC. It's
another late night
for TxDOT, this time
without a member of
the Transportation
Commission in
attendance.
Study Committee on
Private
Participation in
Toll Projects Start
Meeting in February
At 1:00 pm Tuesday,
February 5, 2008,
the private
participation study
committee created by
SB792 will hold its
organizational
(first meeting)
MORE>>
Huntsville Gets 2nd
Town Hall Meeting
Tuesday, January
30, 2007, TxDOT will
hold a second TTC-69
town hall meeting in
Huntsville, TX.
MORE>>
Town Hall Mtg
Schedule
CorridorWatch.org Exhausts Free Sticker Supply
The requests for free round vinyl NO TTC stickers have
overwhelmed our supply. More than 2,000 stickers have been
mailed and more
requests
continue to arrive.
CorridorWatch.org
Testifies Before
Senate
Transportation and
Homeland Security
Committee
On Tuesday, August
7, 2007, David Stall
joined a panel
testifying on
infrastructure
issues in Irving,
Texas. You can read
his testimony [ HERE]
Governor Perry Vetoes TTC-35 Moratorium Bill HB1892
On Friday, May
18, 2007, the last day to do so, Governor Perry vetoed a bill that
would have placed significant limitations on future Trans Texas
Corridor projects and granted more authority to local road
agencies.
MORE>>
Senator Hutchison Expresses Concern Over FWHA Letter To TxDOT
In a letter to
the Federal Highway Administrator U.S. Senator Hutchinson
expresses concern that the FHWA has crossed the line between
technical guidance and advocacy.
The Senator says
it is imperative that steps be taken to remove the cloud over
the actions of the Texas Legislature.
LETTER>>
CDA Moratorium Bill Is Unanimously Approved by Senate Committee
HB1892 is on the
way to a vote by
the full Senate
with the committee's
unanimous
recommendation
that it be
passed.
MORE>>
TxDOT thumbs it's nose at Legislature
Like a defiant child stuffing candy into their mouth after being
told that maybe they've had enough, TxDOT rushes to sign 50-year
contracts that the legislature has begun calling into question.
MORE>>
Sen. Nichols objects to toll road monopoly that enriches
shareholders and leaves the taxpayer holding the bag.
State Senator Nichols, restates and strengthens his objection to
the state's private partner toll road policy.
MORE>>
We
would forfeit billions with private partnership on 121
So says Jere Thompson Jr. a former
chairman of the North Texas Turnpike Authority and its
predecessor, the Texas Turnpike Authority now serving as the
Transportation Chairman for the Dallas Citizens Council and the
Trinity Commons Foundation.
MORE>>
Senator Carona Jilts Toll Road Opposition
Sen. Carona gave hope to the people that are for a sane,
rational discussion of our transportation future in Texas. To a
certain extent what he’s done, giving hope and now taking it
away, is worse than if he’d have never done it in the first
place.
MORE>>
Senator Nichols Explains the Good, Bad & Ugly
Former Transportation Commissioner, now
Senator Nichols, explains why the Legislature should put a
2-year hold on private toll road agreements.
MORE>>
Senate Finance Chairman Ogden Says Legislature Should Rein In
TxDOT
Senator Ogden openly questions turning state highways over to
private contractors; tolling highways that have been paid for;
and blames TxDOT for creating controversy that is taking a
political toll on the legislature.
MORE>>
State Auditor's Office Releases Report on TxDOT & TTC-35 Finding
Project Could Cost More Than $105 Billion
Auditor's review reveals potential flaws in account practices
and says contracts longer than 4 years or valued at more than
$250 million should be reviewed and approved by the Attorney
General.
Based on the Auditor's numbers CorridorWatch finds cost of four
priority corridors will exceed $754 billion.
MORE>>
Senator Eltife Tells TxTC Nominees That He Thinks We've Created
a Monster in TxDOT
During the Senate Nominations Committee hearing with two
nominees to the Texas Transportation Commission, Vice-Chair
Eltife called into question the direction that TxDOT is going
with toll roads, concession agreements and privatization.
MORE>>
TxTC Chairman Williamson Snubs Chairman Carona
The continued refusal of Senator Carona's request for a meeting
led to a House Committee joust with Williamson. Before it was
over Carona called it tragic that a disagreement with
Williamson's view would result with his unwillingness to meet
with the Chair.
MORE>>
National Coalition
Formed to Oppose
Privatization of Toll Roads
New
coalition of highway user groups
will combat the growing trend toward the privatization or leasing
of toll facilities to private investors.
Group to hold government
accountable for ensuring financing is transparent, motivated by
public good and dedicated to transportation purposes.
MORE>>
Assemblyman Questions Role of Goldman Sachs,
MIG & Cintra
Concern raised about privatization advisors with a vested
interest.
MORE>>
US DOT Announces
Corridors for the Future
Program Semi-Finalists
I-69 (TTC-69) and I-10 (TTC-10) make list shortened to 14.
MORE>>
Bexar County Commissioner Alleges State Transportation Officials
Sought to Punish Local Officials for Vote Against Tolls
SAN ANTONIO
— Tommy Adkinsson sent a letter to Governor Perry to let him
know intimidation of toll opponents by his appointees is
unacceptable.
Promises Made To Investors
DUNCANVILLE
— Texas Transportation Commission confirms private investors set rules
for public safety
agency use of public owned toll roads.
Senator says the TTC plan was
a mistake
Chairman of Senate Transportation Committee
calls for change in TxDOT's top leadership.
Seeing Gold at the End of the Privatized
Road
"Thirty years from
now, when they're charging exorbitant tolls and the adjacent
roads are way over capacity, [motorists will] be looking for
someone with pitchforks"
RPA: Proceed with Caution on
Public-Private Partnerships
Report Identifies
Steps to Protect Public Interest
Before Deals are Pursued on Turnpike, other Transportation
Assets
TxDOT Charged with Extortion
HOUSTON
– State Senator Jon Lindsay charges TxDOT with extortion;
challenges sending Texas transportation revenues overseas; and
denounces selling state highways as terrible public policy.
A Documentary Film
What Does That Mean?
Transportation Glossary
MORE>>
TTC MAPS
FT. WORTH
–
The only thing bigger than the Trans-Texas
Corridor may be the rebellion against it.
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NEWS VIDEO
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Who Represents You?
TxDOT’s
Press Release
Misses the
"Reality" Mark
MORE>>
Rep. Joe Pickett
TxDOT
TRAMPLED
ON US
Six term Representative Joe Pickett (D-El Paso) is no newcomer to Texas
transportation issues. He has served on the House Transportation
Committee and is currently the Chairman of the Regional Transportation
Policy Board in El Paso. On July 15, 2006, the Austin American-Statesman
published a letter from Representative Pickett in which he charged the
Texas Transportation Commission of trampling local transportation
decisions and threatening to kill a pending project if the local
authority didn't get in line.
MORE>>
"We can go in and rip up this bill [HB-3588]
and throw it in the trash by repealing everything in it, or we can try
to fix it."
Tx Rep.Glenn Hegar, Jr. (07/14/04)
MORE>>
TxDOT
Can’t Even Spell
Local
Control
“Surprised and concerned leaders from San Antonio could only stand
on the sidelines Thursday as state officials agreed to pursue a
private bid to build and operate toll roads in Bexar County,” San
Antonio Express-News.
MORE>>
CorridorWatch.org Signs
"How are we going to be players in this system when we are from
small rural America?"
Susan Stasny,
Bee Co. Commissioner
MORE >>
"IF YOU AGGRESSIVELY INVITE THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO BE YOUR PARTNER,
YOU CAN'T TELL THEM WHERE TO BUILD THE ROAD"
MORE>>
Transportation Commissioner Confirms CorridorWatch Prediction
Only t wo weeks after CorridorWatch issued a bulletin to its membership expressing concern
that the massive Wal-Mart purchase-lease land scheme in Chambers County would serve as the
model for development along the length of the Trans-Texas Corridor that concern turned very real.
MORE>>
Who Represents You?
The Fayette County Commissioners Court goes on record in opposition
to the building of the Trans Texas Corridor.
Resolution Unanimously Adopted May 24, 2004
Bumper Stickers
Wharton County Commissioner's Court
opposes the Trans-Texas Corridor concept, and urges the Legislature to
amend H.B. 3588 to allow further public input before implementing this
plan.
Resolution Adopted September 13, 2004
CorridorWatch.org Submitted Three
TTC-35 Draft Environmental Impact Statement Comment Documents
August 17, 2006
August 21, 2006
CorridorWatch.org Files Complaint with the Federal Highway
Administration
charging that TxDOT is using a CDA to circumvent NEPA requirements.
MORE>>
Cintra Lobbyist With Ties To Governor
Perry
Offers TxDOT Officials and Key State Lawmakers
a
4 Day, 3 Night,
All Expense Paid Trip to Canada.
MORE >>
Associated Press'
Fact Check Error
O n October 15, 2006,
the Associated Press released analysis of a Texas
gubernatorial campaign ad, and erroneously stated that
Spain-based Cintra
holds a 65-percent equity position in
Cintra Zachry LP.
That's wrong.
MORE>>
Macquarie Buys TX Newspapers
Is this an attempt to influence public opinion?
MORE>>
Resolution Filed in U.S.
Congress Objecting to NAFTA Superhighway System and Foreign Consortium
Funding and Management.
MORE>>
Who Represents You?
Cintra's Inside Man: Dan Shelley
Cintra consultant turned
Governor Perry's legislative aide, turned
Cintra lobbyist. It's hard to
keep up with who is working for who. Or is it?
Austin lobbyist Dan Shelley has been one of Governor Perry's aides
and Cintra's inside man.
Shelley worked for
Cintra making introductions to
TxDOT just in time to see them get a winning proposal submitted for the
Trans Texas Corridor. Then he worked for Governor Perry just in time to
lobby the Legislature to protect and strengthen laws benefiting
Cintra. Now he's back working
for Cintra again planning all
expense paid trips to Canada for TxDOT and Texas law makers.
MORE
>>
US Senator
Hutchison
Agrees the TTC is
a Flawed Project
MORE >>
HUNDREDS OF TEXANS ARE LOCKED OUT OF PUBLIC HEARING IN SAN ANTONIO
Apparently
TxDOT didn't realize that San Antonio is the 2nd most populated city in
Texas. In fact the Alamo city is. And TxDOT might take note that it is
also the 7th most populated city in the entire United States. Really
something we would have expected them to have already known.
Hundreds of
Texans were unable to attend and participate in the TTC-35 DEIS Public
Hearing held in a San Antonio high school on August 8, 2006. When the
East Central High School Cafeteria reached it's 600 person capacity the
doors were closed. Many of those left standing outside had driven great
distances, some from as far away as Houston.
MORE >>
CorridorWatch.org Files Comment and Complaint at NEPA Tier One
TTC-35 DEIS Public Hearing
During the July 27, 2006, Public Hearing in Dallas, Texas, David
Stall presented oral comments and submitted written comments on
behalf the members of CorridorWatch.org.
"TxDOT has failed its NEPA mandate to alert and inform the public of
their planned actions."
"Under the leadership and direction of the Texas transportation
commission TxDOT has failed the NEPA mandate of a careful and informed
decision-making process conducted fully and in good faith."
MORE>>
TxDOT’s
"Myth Versus Reality" Press Release Misses the Mark
On July 18,
2006, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) issued a press
release titled, "Myth Versus Reality." A more accurate title might have
been, "Myth Versus PR Response." What’s missing in large measure is the
Reality.
CorridorWatch.org has prepared a reply to the list of eighteen ‘Myths’
provided by TxDOT.
MORE>>
"Texas freeways belong to Texans, not foreign companies"
– Carole Keeton Strayhorn
USA Today, 07/15/06
TEXAS
DEMOCRATIC PARTY Objects to the Trans Texas Corridor and Addresses
Eminent Domain Concerns in their 2006 Platform
"We oppose the proposed Trans-Texas Corridor
..."
MORE>>
TEXAS
REPUBLICAN PARTY Reaffirms Objection to the Trans Texas Corridor and
Adds Eminent Domain and Toll Roads to the 2006 Party Platform
MORE>>
TEXAS
LIBERTARIAN PARTY Opposes the Trans Texas Corridor and Addresses Eminent
Domain in Their 2006 Party Platform
MORE>>
Who Represents You?
TxDOT Declines CorridorWatch.org Application for Media Credentials to
Report on the Texas Transportation Forum
[ THE REST OF THE STORY ]
US SUPREME COURT RULES GOVERNMENT CAN SEIZE
YOUR PROPERTY FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
June 23, 2005, the Supreme Court abandons
a long-held, basic limitation on government power.
The U.S. Supreme Court has greased the wheels of the Trans Texas
Corridor.
MORE>>
"The number of courts authorized to hear
eminent domain cases
should be expanded"
– Coby Chase, TxDOT Legislative Affairs Dir (November 18,
2004)
MORE>>
"If you look
behind the surface you'll see that a lot of what we 'know' about
privatization is mere puffery. Groups such as the Reason Foundation and
the National Council for Public Private Partnerships (formerly the
Privatization Council) have spent a lot of time and money convincing the
public that privatization is better."
Ellen J. Dannin, Professor of Law,
Wayne State University Law School
MORE>>
SCORE: Taxpayers 0
Wal-Mart $2.8 Million
The State of Texas has gone into
the land development business using powers and leverage only
available to government. By doing so the State is now directly
competing with private enterprise and violating the most fundamental
principles of capitalism.
MORE>>
Attorney General Shuts Down "You
Can't Take It"
Suit charges that promoters were
misleading property owners about TTC seizures.
MORE>>
The Newest Oxymoron:
Private Property Rights
Texas Representative Frank
Corte of San Antonio issued a release saying, "The right to own and use
property is inherent to a free society. When a government decides they
know how to use private property better than the individual, private
property rights cease to exist." CorridorWatch.org couldn't agree more.
MORE>>
|
 CorridorWatch
Calls For Big Changes In Texas Transportation Agency Leadership
On behalf of our members CorridorWatch has submitted
official comments on the Sunset
Advisory Commission Staff Report
addressing the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). The Sunset
staff report presented 45 specific recommendations under six issue
headings.
[Sunset Advisory Commission
Staff Report]
In our 20-page comment document CorridorWatch addresses all
twenty-four recommendations found under the first four of six issue
topics. CorridorWatch concurred with five staff recommendations, offers
alternatives to seventeen staff recommendations, and makes no comment on
the remaining two staff recommendations. No comments were made on any of
the 21 staff recommendations found under the last two issues: (5)
regulation of motor vehicle dealers, salvage vehicle dealers, and
household goods carriers; and, (6) regulation of outdoor advertising.
[CorridorWatch
Comments: TxDOT]
In producing the comments we followed the format and
recommendation numbering system used in the staff report. Most of our
recommendations are additions or modifications to the original staff
recommendations, and are based on the same supporting detail.
Accordingly, it is important to refer to the staff report when
considering the recommendations offered by CorridorWatch.
In the process of reviewing and commenting on the staff
report CorridorWatch focused on three key elements: Accountability,
Transparency and Responsiveness.
CorridorWatch highlights five recommendations as being the most
important. In the order of appearance they are:
CorridorWatch Recommendation 1.1
Abolish the Texas Transportation Commission and replace
it with a State Transportation Board comprised of an appointed
Commissioner of Transportation and six elected members. (page 5)
Linda's View [Appointed
Transportation Commissioner vs. an Elected Commissioner?]
Sunset Advisory Commission Staff
Recommendation 1.5
Continue TxDOT for four years. (page 8)
CorridorWatch Recommendation 2.1
Require TxDOT to redevelop and regularly update the
long-range Statewide Transportation Plan using formal input from
state agencies, political subdivisions, local planning organizations
and the general public to reach mutually acceptable descriptions of
total system needs, statewide transportation goals, and the
measurement of progress toward those goals. (page 9)
CorridorWatch Recommendation 3.1
Require TxDOT to develop and implement a public
involvement policy that guides and facilitates meaningful public
involvement efforts agency wide. (page 13)
CorridorWatch Recommendation 4.9
Require the Contract Advisory Team to review TxDOT's
development of comprehensive development agreements and grant
authority to stop solicitations and execution of comprehensive
development agreements. (page 20)
In
making comments to the Sunset Advisory Commission CorridorWatch outlined
these guiding principles:
Provide strong, direct accountability. Ensure that all
Texans have an equal opportunity to effect and participate in the
decision making process at all levels either directly or through
representatives that they themselves have selected.
Strengthen regional control. Build on the TxDOT
districts to establish a regional structure for coordination of all
activities.
Decentralize the planning process. Begin decision
making at the lowest planning level; collaborate and coordinate
planning with peer planning units; collaborate and coordinate
planning with regional planning units; and, integrate planning
upward to the State Transportation Plan.
Transportation policy must not be motivated by the pursuit
of revenue. Transportation policy, planning and implementation
must seek to meet the needs of the public; and must not be
subrogated to the financial needs of the state's transportation
agencies. Ultimately the citizens of the state pay for the public
transportation infrastructure regardless of the financing method
used. As the owner and consumer they must retain the right and
opportunity to decide what they are willing to pay for.
TxDOT should not be responsible for funding itself.
Nor should transportation facility generated revenues be exempt from
legislative appropriation and budget oversight.
Contracts and agreements must not be permitted to
effectively establish public policy, circumvent external fiscal
controls, or thwart legislative authority. Ensure that
safeguards are in place to provide every opportunity for the state
to avoid a flawed or unacceptably high-risk agreement prior to
execution.
Public information must be made easily accessible. The
decision making process must be open and transparent. The public
should not be required to file open records requests to obtain
routine documents.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
TxDOT's Self-Evaluation for the Sunset Review
Sunset Advisory Commission Staff Report
CorridorWatch Comments: TxDOT
Guide to the Texas Sunset Review Process
Sunset Advisory Commission Member Contact Information
Sunset Commission Website
TxDOT Ready to Sign TTC-69
Comprehensive Development Agreement (CDA)
The Texas Transportation Commission never fails to amaze us.
Bottom
line - this leopard has not changed its spots. Nothing has changed. The
Commission and TxDOT are hell bent to sign deals and give away the farm
before the legislature can rein them in.
Rain, sleet and snow won't stop the mail; and, moratoriums, legislative
intent and a sunset review won't stop TxDOT.
Just a
week ago TxDOT tried to impress everyone with how responsive they could
be as they
announced their recommendation that TTC-69 focus on using existing
facilities rather than building a new highway. The only thing that
changes is where the TTC is built.
That
action was a slap in the face to tens of thousands of Texans who are
still in the path of TTC-35, which is still marching forward at full
speed. Apparently they don't rate the same consideration as the Texans
in east Texas.
Today we have discovered that TxDOT is about to slap the entire
Legislature across the face. Remember the moratorium? MORE>>
TxDOT Announces Significant Change of Plan:
Separate TTC-69 Corridor Dropped
In Favor of Following Existing Highways
 This
morning,
Wednesday, June 11, the Texas Department of Transportation held a
press conference
to announce that they are now "recommending that the
I-69/Trans-Texas Corridor Project be developed using existing highway
facilities wherever possible." This is a tremendous victory for
opponents of the TTC and especially property owners who were in the path
of the original 1,200-foot corridor.
The
official
press release reads, "Citing Public Recommendation, Project Would
Follow Existing Roads." TxDOT is acknowledging the overwhelming public
opposition to TTC-69. That's a good public relations position and
certainly appreciated by anyone running for office in November, but
it lacks sincerity at TxDOT. Faced with pressure from state and federal
officials, an unhappy Sunset Advisory Commission, and a pending report
from the State Auditor, it was time for TxDOT to find something they
could give up. Or something they could 'appear' to be giving up. Hello TTC-69. MORE>>
|
SERIOUS
QUESTIONS SURFACE
Have
elected officials
made a deal to trade TTC-69 for TTC-35?
A growing concern is being
expressed that these recent TTC-69 developments are the result
of a
behind the scenes
plan negotiated between Governor
Perry and legislators.
There is some
indication that TxDOT found the financial feasibility of TTC-69
lacking and used the opportunity to orchestrate a faux
surrender. A series of events behind the scenes together with a
string of public pronouncements paint a troubling picture. It
appears that TxDOT has been pitching softballs to legislators
who in turn would (perhaps unwittingly) ask them to take actions
that appeared to have substantive impact on TTC-69, but did not.
This provided political advantage to both. The elected officials
appear to have defended their constituents against the TTC in
advance of the November elections; and, TxDOT appears to have
been responsive to legislator and citizen concerns. If that is
where it stops, it's not much more than just saving face for
both. However, it will raise grave concern if any elected
official has agreed to withdraw their objection to TTC-35 or
other elements of TTC projects such as public-private
partnerships or market valuation in exchange for this
questionably weak concession on TTC-69.
|
Sunset Commission
Staff Issues Explosive
TxDOT Report & Recommendations
The Sunset review staff report released this morning paints a vivid
picture of an agency that is in desperate need of supervision. The
report cites distrust, frustration, and the loss of trust and confidence
in an agency many described as "out of control." Their 157-page report
is filled with strong language that signals that this sunset review will
certainly not be a routine legislative formality.
If the staff recommendations are implemented the Legislature can
regain control over transportation policy and restore some degree of
transparency, accountability and responsiveness; qualities that are
practically nonexistent at TxDOT today.
MORE>>
CorridorWatch
Comments on
Transportation Commission Order
With great fanfare
Thursday (5.29.08) the Texas Transportation Commission passed a Minute
Order proclaiming their "Toll Road Principles." Sadly many media outlets
went along with the TxDOT public relations effort and publicized their
action as if they had actually done something new. Worse yet, some
lawmakers appear to be taking comfort that this signals a change in
direction.
Unfortunately for
Texans last week's action by the Commission is meaningless arm waving
that provides no new commitment, relief, or public protection from toll
road abuses and the Trans Texas Corridor. Their much ballyhooed Minute
Order is as binding as any other flashy political campaign material. The
only statement they made that we can wholly agree with is that of
Chairman Delisi when she said, "Texans deserve a clear, straightforward
explanation of what we are doing to solve our transportation challenges
. . ." We agree and are still waiting for that day to come.
MORE>>
[ Complete CorridorWatch Comments
on the Transportation Commission Order ]
Trouble
in Public-Private Toll Road Paradise?
CorridorWatch.org learns some of the most interesting information
about public-private partnerships and related activities taking place in
the U.S. from sources outside the country. Today is no exception.
In an article
titled,
"Macquarie model blowtorched,"
appeared in Friday's
Sydney Morning Herald and it tells us there is trouble in PPP paradise.
The Herald report points us to a document just released by
RiskMetrics Group,
an international corporate governance service headquartered in New York.
The document they authored is a report titled,
"Infrastructure Funds: Managing, Financing and Accounting; In Whose
Interest?"
The 39-page report
details a host of concerns and issues that should give pause to anyone
who thinks PPP infrastructure deals are free of serious risk.
Michael West of The
Sydney Morning Herald writes, "The RiskMetrics research is likely to
send shockwaves through the sector and give both state and federal
governments cause for concern as governments have mostly privatized
public assets via these structures." And so it should.
We
have often described the financial model being used by
Cintra's partner
Macquarie as 'Enron-style accounting.' History has demonstrated time and
again that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn't true.
This report is another step forward in debunking the PPP easy money
myth. We have consistently described the Trans Texas Corridor financial
scheme as highway alchemy and are certain we will eventually be proven
right.
Summarizing
the report the Herald article says, "RiskMetrics critiques the
financially-engineered infrastructure model for its high debt levels,
high fees, paying distributions out of capital rather than cashflow,
overpaying for assets, related-party transactions, booking profits from
revaluations, poor disclosure, myriad conflicts of interest, auditor
conflicts and other poor corporate governance."
We
hope government officials at both the federal and state level will
carefully study the RiskMetrics report. As we all know tremendous
pressure is being applied by the Federal Highway Administration to push
state government into public-private partnerships deals, partnerships we
fear will lead to disaster. We also hope this report will give rise to a
greater examination of the financial impact these partnerships will have
on the public. Special caution must be exercised to ensure that public
infrastructure such has highways, rails, and utilities serve the public
interest above any private interest.
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