Trans-Texas Corridor protested
Hundreds gather at Captiol to say 'we don't want this corridor'
By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition
May 12, 2005 - By Austin standards, the May weather was chilly, but the crowd who gathered on the south side of the Capitol on May 3 was red hot!
Several hundred people, mainly from rural areas, gathered to let state legislators know that they are "mad as heck, and not going to take it anymore!" Shouts of "one, two, three, four ... we don't want this corridor!" echoed throughout the crowd who wore yellow in protest of the plans for a Trans-Texas Corridor.
For anyone who hasn't heard of the Trans-Texas Corridor (TTC) toll road ... this "proposed" toll road plan that has been adopted by the Texas Transportation Commission, and outlines 4,000 miles of roads to "crisscross" the state ... at the expense of Texans, according to the Corridor Watch organization.
Heidi Ullrich of Ledbetter was credited with getting the rally together, with help from Linda and David Stall of Fayette County. The Stalls have been conducting meetings opposing the TTC since it came to their attention, last year. They say the major problem with the plan is that it would take about 580,000 acres of private land and turn it into state land.
While none of the roads would directly connect any large urban cities, urban areas need to be aware of what it might cost them, too, noted several of the speakers at the rally.
The first speaker was Carole Keeton Strayhorn, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts and a very "vocal" opponent to the TTC. "It's not the money you make; it's the difference you make," noted Strayhorn, quoting her father. (Republican Strayhorn was well received by the crowd who yelled out their support for her as next governor of Texas.)
Strayhorn claimed Gov. Rick Perry is "trying to cram toll roads down Texans' throats," and said that it "just isn't going to work." She voiced her opinion that laws and/or deals put together by private groups for the profit of a few is not for Texas.
"Texas property belongs to Texans; not foreign countries," stated Strayhorn, addressing the fact that Cintra-Zachry, a company out of Spain, has been chosen for construction of the road, as well as operation of businesses on the path for 50 years. The price of the TTC has been quoted as being around $184 billion, and would take between 12 to 15 months to complete.
The TTC is scheduled to encompass six passenger vehicle lanes, four commercial truck lanes, two high speed passenger rail lines, two freight train lines and two commuter rail lines and a utility zone.
Perry and his supporters say this TTC would alleviate traffic problems and more efficiently move people and materials across Texas.
Opponents feel TTC supporters do not seem interested that if the private land is taken for the highway, tthe state's property tax revenue will drop and Texans will have to make up the money in other taxes.
The way the plan is outlined, now, is that if a producer's land was taken by the state for the project, that producer might have to drive 15 miles or so in order to cross the TTC and get the other side of their own property. In cases of emergencies involving ambulance service, this could mean the difference between life and death.
"We want Texas dollars ... not Euro dollars! Let the people vote!" exclaimed Strayhorn.
Sen. Ken Armbrister of Victoria noted that "... it's not the money; it's the land," that's important to Texans. He said Texas companies did not even have the opportunity to bid on the TTC, and he believes that there is a better answer to the traffic problems than taking private land.
Rep. Robby Cook of Eagle Lake told the crowd that, as a fifth-generation farmer, he definitely wanted input on the TTC. He urged attendees at the rally to "exercise their rights to let yourselves be heard." Cook is a big supporter of "grass-roots" politics, since legislatures are supposed to work for the people. He, along with Rep. Garnet Coleman of Houston, authored the HB 3363 bill that would put a "moratorium" on the development of the TTC until further study can be done, and the citizens of Texas can vote on what they want for the state.
Property owners are asking for a two-year moratorium on all TTC developments and other toll roads in Texas, but Rep. Mike Krusee of Round Rock has been quoted as saying HB 3363 would not be considered at its final meeting on bills.
During the rally, a member of Gov. Perry's office came out to address some members of the media, but refused to address the group, even though Perry had been invited to do so.
Fayette County Judge Ed Janecka asked the crowd to do two things: visit their state legislators and remind them who they work for, and to get involved in their community.
Wes Sims, president of the Texas Farmers Union, said that anything "born out of deceit cannot be honest. It's about money for tolls ... taking your land for someone to make a buck."
In closing, Linda Stall had a final comment for the rally, concerning the rush to complete the TTC without the agreement or vote of Texans: "When an idea is good, it stands the test of time."
Wearing yellow to urge "caution" before moving forward with the Trans-Texas Corridor, protestors came to Austin in a unified effort to let TTC supporters know their thoughts on the plan. Landowners, including many farmers and ranchers, say the huge highway project will gobble thousands of acres of their property only to make money for private toll road companies.
-- Staff photo by Taylor