State officials say tolls are important to fund new highway lanes, but when it comes to non-toll projects, they apparently don't want to hear about it.
In fact, they banned mention of the word at a public meeting this week.
At the meeting, held Tuesday to get input on plans to widen Texas 46, Terri Hall of San Antonio Toll Party was told to wrap up her comments because her three minutes were running out, said Laura Lopez, spokeswoman with the Texas Department of Transportation.
But then Hall began talking about tolls, so she was stopped.
"It was mentioned at the beginning of the meeting that this was not a meeting to discuss tolls because it's not part of the project," Lopez said. "And if there was any comments about us tolling, we would stop that person from ... you know ... we're not tolling."
Another speaker who brought up tolls was asked to drop the subject, but when he replied that TxDOT works for him, law enforcement officers approached to cut him off, Lopez said.
"Where will this suppression stop?" said Hall, a vocal critic of tolls. "I thought this was America, where protecting and defending our First Amendment constitutional rights are sacred."
About 200 people attended the meeting at New Braunfels High School and about 20 spoke.
The crux of the friction between Hall and TxDOT over Texas 46 has to do with whether the state is eying tolls for the highway.
Fueled by a study to determine the feasibility of tolling new lanes on Texas 46, and a financing agreement that says county officials and TxDOT would have to agree to any future tolls, Hall says she suspects that TxDOT intends to eventually put toll lanes there.
TxDOT flatly says there are no plans to toll Texas 46, and that the study showed tolls are not feasible.
The $47.7 million project will widen the highway to seven lanes near Bulverde and New Braunfels and three lanes between the cities, with construction possibly starting in 2008. Later, the whole road could be seven lanes.
Fellow Freepers,
I get these TTC updates regularly from Linda Curtis at Independent Texas. I recommend joining Independent Texas by visiting their website: http://www.indytexans.org
Dear Independent Texans:
Below are 7 separate redrafted flyers (based on your comments) you can send to your friends in the North Texas, DFW, Waco, Temple, Austin, San Antonio and S. Texas areas to urge attendance at any of the 54 Trans-Texas Corridor hearings from July 10-Aug. 10. Also, if you haven't already, please pick a hearing to go to and reply to this message to let us know which one(s) you will attend.
I'm also looking to recruit an organizing team for the hearings in S. Texas communities. If you know folks in those communities (see the last flier below) that you think might join our team, or assist us, please reply and let us know.
Please also mark your calendars for a very important statewide conference call next Thursday, July 6th, at 8 p.m. If you plan to join us, reply to this note and let me know. I'll be sending out details early next week.
Thanks to all of you who have, so far, voted on our endorsement. If you haven't yet, and want to, please include that in your reply.
Independently yours,
Linda Curtis, founder
Independent Texans
http://indytexans.org PO Box 14294
Austin, TX 78761
512-535-0989
This one is for the North & NE of DFW Area:
“The Trans-Texas Corridor is likely to become the most expensive and far-ranging transportation undertaking in the state's history” - Ft. Worth Star Telegram, June 4, 2006
According to the San Antonio Express-News, "Rick Perry's biggest problem is the Trans-Texas Corridor". Here are the facts he does not want you to know. The Trans Texas Corridor plan is:
o 8,000 miles of crisscrossing 1/4 mile wide all-in-one toll roads with water, gas, oil, rail and utility lines.
o a $187 billion boondoggle guaranteed by federal transportation dollars (our taxes).
o the largest land grab in Texas history -- over 1 million acres -- much in the richest farmland called the blacklands.
o extremely likely to further DFW's air pollution and push it in to rural areas.
o not a plan to alleviate traffic congestion.
o a violation of democracy -- the deal was cinched before any public hearings and city & county governments were cut out.
o being developed via a still secret contract with a foreign company (CINTRA), signed by Gov. Perry in March '05.
o now forcing federally mandated 54 public hearings, from July 10-Aug 10, but cannot overturn the Corridor plan.
o uniting Republicans, Democrats and independents to dump Rick Perry!
Three ways to get Rick Perry on down the road -- and stop the Corridor!:
1. Attend a federally mandated hearing in your area*:
July 10 Gainesville Gainesville Civic Center 311 S. Weaver St.
July 10 Sherman Sherman Municipal Ballroom 405 N. Rusk St.
July 11 Bonham Bonham High School Cafeteria 1002 Warpath Dr.
July 11 Decatur Decatur Civic Center 2010 W. US 380
July 11 Denton Univ. of North Texas, Gateway Ballroom 801 N. Texas Blvd.
July 12 Paris Love Civic Center 2025 S. Collegiate Dr.
July 13 McKinney McKinney High School Cafeteria 1400 Wilson Creek Pkwy.
July 17 Greenville Fletcher Warren Civic Center 5501 S. Bus. Hwy. 6
*For a full list of hearings go to CorridorWatch.org.
2. Spread the word -- “One Tough Grandma” Carole Keeton Strayhorn, independent candidate for Governor -- is fighting to open up the CINTRA contract to the public, pledged publicly that she will not sign a contract with CINTRA, and to call for a vote of the people!
http://carolestrayhorn.com. 3. Declare your own political independence! Independent Texans is seeking recognition for the 35%, and growing, plurality of people who do not identify with a political party -- we vote for the person, not the party. Join us, it’s free. And, please forward this to everyone you know!
INDEPENDENT TEXANS
Declare Your Independence!
indytexans.org
PO Box 14294 ** Austin, TX 78761 ** 512-535-0989
Paid for by Independent Texans, Gerardo Cardenas, Treasurer
This one is for the DFW area:
“The Trans-Texas Corridor is likely to become the most expensive and far-ranging transportation undertaking in the state's history” - Ft. Worth Star Telegram, June 4, 2006
According to the San Antonio Express-News, "Rick Perry's biggest problem is the Trans-Texas Corridor". Here are the facts he does not want you to know. The Trans Texas Corridor plan is:
o 8,000 miles of crisscrossing 1/4 mile wide all-in-one toll roads with water, gas, oil, rail and utility lines.
o a $187 billion boondoggle guaranteed by federal transportation dollars (our taxes).
o the largest land grab in Texas history -- over 1 million acres -- much in the richest farmland called the blacklands.
o extremely likely to further DFW's air pollution and push it in to rural areas.
o not a plan to alleviate traffic congestion.
o a violation of democracy -- the deal was cinched before any public hearings and city & county governments were cut out.
o being developed via a still secret contract with a foreign company (CINTRA), signed by Gov. Perry in March '05.
o now forcing federally mandated 54 public hearings, from July 10-Aug 10, but cannot overturn the Corridor plan.
o uniting Republicans, Democrats and independents to dump Rick Perry!
Three ways to get Rick Perry on down the road -- and stop the Corridor!:
1. Attend a hearing in your area*:
July 10 Ennis Knights of Columbus Hall 850 S. Interstate 45
July 12 Cleburne Cleburne Civic Center 1501 W.Henderson St.
July 12 Waxahachie Waxahachie Civic Center Ballroom 2000 Civic Center Ln.
July 13 Weatherford Weatherford College, Fine Arts Center 225 College Park Dr.
July 17 Fort Worth Will Rogers Mem. Ctr, Round Up Inn 3400 Burnett-Tandy Dr.
July 18 Granbury GISD Pearl Street Conference Center 205 E.Pearl St.
July 18 Mesquite Poteet High School Auditorium 3300 Poteet Dr.
July 19 Terrell Terrell ISD Performing Arts Center 400 Poetry Rd.
July 27 Dallas Grauwyler Community Center 7780 Harry Hines Blvd.
*For a full list of hearings go to CorridorWatch.org.
2. Spread the word -- “One Tough Grandma” Carole Keeton Strayhorn, independent candidate for Governor -- is fighting to open up the CINTRA contract to the public, pledged publicly that she will not sign a contract with CINTRA, and to call for a vote of the people!
http://carolestrayhorn.com. 3. Declare your own political independence! Independent Texans is seeking recognition for the 35%, and growing, plurality of people who do not identify with a political party -- we vote for the person, not the party. Join us, it’s free. And, please forward this to everyone you know!
INDEPENDENT TEXANS
Declare Your Independence!
indytexans.org
PO Box 14294 ** Austin, TX 78761 ** 512-535-0989
Paid for by Independent Texans, Gerardo Cardenas, Treasurer
This one is for the Waco Area:
“The Trans-Texas Corridor is likely to become the most expensive and far-ranging transportation undertaking in the state's history” - Ft. Worth Star Telegram, June 4, 2006
According to the San Antonio Express-News, "Rick Perry's biggest problem is the Trans-Texas Corridor". Here are the facts he does not want you to know. The Trans Texas Corridor plan is:
o 8,000 miles of crisscrossing 1/4 mile wide all-in-one toll roads with water, gas, oil, rail and utility lines.
o a $187 billion boondoggle guaranteed by federal transportation dollars (our taxes).
o the largest land grab in Texas history -- over 1 million acres -- much in the richest farmland called the blacklands.
o extremely likely to further DFW's air pollution and push it in to rural areas.
o not a plan to alleviate traffic congestion.
o a violation of democracy -- the deal was cinched before any public hearings and city & county governments were cut out.
o being developed via a still secret contract with a foreign company (CINTRA), signed by Gov. Perry in March '05.
o now forcing federally mandated 54 public hearings, from July 10-Aug 10, but cannot overturn the Corridor plan.
o uniting Republicans, Democrats and independents to dump Rick Perry!
Three ways to get Rick Perry on down the road -- and stop the Corridor!:
1. Attend a federally mandated hearing in your area*:
July 13 Hillsboro Hill College Performing Arts Center Auditorium 112 Lamar Dr.
July 17 McGregor McGregor High School Auditorium 903 Bluebonnet Pkwy.
July 19 Clifton Clifton High School Cafeteria 1101 N. Avenue Q,
July 20 Corsicana Drane Intermediate School Auditorium 100 S. 18th St.
July 20 Groesbeck Groesbeck High School Auditorium 1202 N. Ellis St.
July 24 Waco Waco Convention Cntr, Brazos Room 100 Washington Ave.
*For a full list of hearings go to CorridorWatch.org.
2. Spread the word -- “One Tough Grandma” Carole Keeton Strayhorn, independent candidate for Governor -- is fighting to open up the CINTRA contract to the public, pledged publicly that she will not sign a contract with CINTRA, and to call for a vote of the people!
http://carolestrayhorn.com. 3. Declare your own political independence! Independent Texans is seeking recognition for the 35%, and growing, plurality of people who do not identify with a political party -- we vote for the person, not the party. Join us, it’s free. And, please forward this to everyone you know!
INDEPENDENT TEXANS
Declare Your Independence!
indytexans.org
PO Box 14294 ** Austin, TX 78761 ** 512-535-0989
Paid for by Independent Texans, Gerardo Cardenas, Treasurer
This one for the Temple Area:
“The Trans-Texas Corridor is likely to become the most expensive and far-ranging transportation undertaking in the state's history” - Ft. Worth Star Telegram, June 4, 2006
According to the San Antonio Express-News, "Rick Perry's biggest problem is the Trans-Texas Corridor". Here are the facts he does not want you to know. The Trans Texas Corridor plan is:
o 8,000 miles of crisscrossing 1/4 mile wide all-in-one toll roads with water, gas, oil, rail and utility lines.
o a $187 billion boondoggle guaranteed by federal transportation dollars (our taxes).
o the largest land grab in Texas history -- over 1 million acres -- much in the richest farmland called the blacklands.
o extremely likely to further DFW's air pollution and push it in to rural areas.
o not a plan to alleviate traffic congestion.
o a violation of democracy -- the deal was cinched before any public hearings and city & county governments were cut out.
o being developed via a still secret contract with a foreign company (CINTRA), signed by Gov. Perry in March '05.
o now forcing federally mandated 54 public hearings, from July 10-Aug 10, but cannot overturn the Corridor plan.
o uniting Republicans, Democrats and independents to dump Rick Perry!
Three ways to get Rick Perry on down the road -- and stop the Corridor!:
1. Attend a hearing in your area*:
July 19 Hearne Hearne Junior High School Aud. 401 Wheelock St.
July 20 Caldwell Caldwell High School Auditorium 550 County Road 307
July 24 Georgetown Georgetown High School Ctr for the Performing Arts 2211 N. Austin Ave.,
July 25 Marlin Marlin High School Auditorium 1400 Capps
July 25 Taylor Taylor High School Auditorium 3101 N. Main St.
July 26 Giddings Sons of Hermann Hall 1031 County Road 223
July 26 Temple Frank W. Mayborn Civic & Convention Ctr, Main Hall 3303 N. 3rd St.
July 27 Rockdale Knights of Columbus Hall 655 Highway
*For a full list of hearings go to CorridorWatch.org.
2. Spread the word -- “One Tough Grandma” Carole Keeton Strayhorn, independent candidate for Governor -- is fighting to open up the CINTRA contract to the public, pledged publicly that she will not sign a contract with CINTRA, and to call for a vote of the people!
http://carolestrayhorn.com. 3. Declare your own political independence! Independent Texans is seeking recognition for the 35%, and growing, plurality of people who do not identify with a political party -- we vote for the person, not the party. Join us, it’s free. And, please forward this to everyone you know!
INDEPENDENT TEXANS
Declare Your Independence!
indytexans.org
PO Box 14294 ** Austin, TX 78761 ** 512-535-0989
Paid for by Independent Texans, Gerardo Cardenas, Treasurer
This one is for the Austin Area:
“The Trans-Texas Corridor is likely to become the most expensive and far-ranging transportation undertaking in the state's history” - Ft. Worth Star Telegram, June 4, 2006
According to the San Antonio Express-News, "Rick Perry's biggest problem is the Trans-Texas Corridor". Here are the facts he does not want you to know. The Trans Texas Corridor plan is:
o 8,000 miles of crisscrossing 1/4 mile wide all-in-one toll roads with water, gas, oil, rail and utility lines.
o a $187 billion boondoggle guaranteed by federal transportation dollars (our taxes).
o the largest land grab in Texas history -- over 1 million acres -- much in the richest farmland called the blacklands.
o extremely likely to further DFW's air pollution and push it in to rural areas.
o not a plan to alleviate traffic congestion.
o a violation of democracy -- the deal was cinched before any public hearings and city & county governments were cut out.
o being developed via a still secret contract with a foreign company (CINTRA), signed by Gov. Perry in March '05.
o now forcing federally mandated 54 public hearings, from July 10-Aug 10, but cannot overturn the Corridor plan.
o uniting Republicans, Democrats and independents to dump Rick Perry!
Three ways to get Rick Perry on down the road -- and stop the Corridor!:
1. Attend a hearing in your area*:
July 31 Flatonia Flatonia ISD Cafeteria 400 E. 4th St.
July 31 Lockhart Lockhart High School Cafeteria #1 Lion Country Dr.
August 1 Manor Manor High School Cafeteria 12700 Gregg Manor Rd.
August 2 Bastrop Bastrop Middle School Cafeteria 709 Old Austin Hwy.
August 3 Smithville Smithville High School Cafeteria 285 Highway 95
*For a full list of hearings go to CorridorWatch.org.
2. Spread the word -- “One Tough Grandma” Carole Keeton Strayhorn, independent candidate for Governor -- is fighting to open up the CINTRA contract to the public, pledged publicly that she will not sign a contract with CINTRA, and to call for a vote of the people!
http://carolestrayhorn.com. 3. Declare your own political independence! Independent Texans is seeking recognition for the 35%, and growing, plurality of people who do not identify with a political party -- we vote for the person, not the party. Join us, it’s free. And, please forward this to everyone you know!
INDEPENDENT TEXANS
Declare Your Independence!
indytexans.org
PO Box 14294 ** Austin, TX 78761 ** 512-535-0989
Paid for by Independent Texans, Gerardo Cardenas, Treasurer
This one is for the San Antonio Area:
“The Trans-Texas Corridor is likely to become the most expensive and far-ranging transportation undertaking in the state's history” - Ft. Worth Star Telegram, June 4, 2006
According to the San Antonio Express-News, "Rick Perry's biggest problem is the Trans-Texas Corridor". Here are the facts he does not want you to know. The Trans Texas Corridor plan is:
o 8,000 miles of crisscrossing 1/4 mile wide all-in-one toll roads with water, gas, oil, rail and utility lines.
o a $187 billion boondoggle guaranteed by federal transportation dollars (our taxes).
o the largest land grab in Texas history -- over 1 million acres -- much in the richest farmland called the blacklands.
o extremely likely to further DFW's air pollution and push it in to rural areas.
o not a plan to alleviate traffic congestion.
o a violation of democracy -- the deal was cinched before any public hearings and city & county governments were cut out.
o being developed via a still secret contract with a foreign company (CINTRA), signed by Gov. Perry in March '05.
o now forcing federally mandated 54 public hearings, from July 10-Aug 10, but cannot overturn the Corridor plan.
o uniting Republicans, Democrats and independents to dump Rick Perry!
Three ways to get Rick Perry on down the road -- and stop the Corridor!:
1. Attend a hearing in your area*:
August 3 Floresville Floresville High School Gymnasium 1832 Highway 97 East
August 8 San Antonio East Central High School Cafeteria 7173 FM 1628
August 9 Seguin Seguin-Guadalupe County Coliseum 810 S. Guadalupe St.
August 7 Pearsall Pearsall High School Cafeteria 1990 Maverick Dr.
August 10 Yorktown Yorktown Community Mess Hall 60 Community Hall Rd.
*For a full list of hearings go to CorridorWatch.org.
2. Spread the word -- “One Tough Grandma” Carole Keeton Strayhorn, independent candidate for Governor -- is fighting to open up the CINTRA contract to the public, pledged publicly that she will not sign a contract with CINTRA, and to call for a vote of the people!
http://carolestrayhorn.com. 3. Declare your own political independence! Independent Texans is seeking recognition for the 35%, and growing, plurality of people who do not identify with a political party -- we vote for the person, not the party. Join us, it’s free. And, please forward this to everyone you know!
INDEPENDENT TEXANS
Declare Your Independence!
indytexans.org
PO Box 14294 ** Austin, TX 78761 ** 512-535-0989
Paid for by Independent Texans, Gerardo Cardenas, Treasurer
This one for S. Texas Area:
“The Trans-Texas Corridor is likely to become the most expensive and far-ranging transportation undertaking in the state's history” - Ft. Worth Star Telegram, June 4, 2006
According to the San Antonio Express-News, "Rick Perry's biggest problem is the Trans-Texas Corridor". Here are the facts he does not want you to know. The Trans Texas Corridor plan is:
o 8,000 miles of crisscrossing 1/4 mile wide all-in-one toll roads with water, gas, oil, rail and utility lines.
o a $187 billion boondoggle guaranteed by federal transportation dollars (our taxes).
o the largest land grab in Texas history -- over 1 million acres -- much in the richest farmland called the blacklands.
o extremely likely to further DFW's air pollution and push it in to rural areas.
o not a plan to alleviate traffic congestion.
o a violation of democracy -- the deal was cinched before any public hearings and city & county governments were cut out.
o being developed via a still secret contract with a foreign company (CINTRA), signed by Gov. Perry in March '05.
o now forcing federally mandated 54 public hearings, from July 10-Aug 10, but cannot overturn the Corridor plan.
o uniting Republicans, Democrats and independents to dump Rick Perry!
Three ways to get Rick Perry on down the road -- and stop the Corridor!:
1. Attend a hearing in your area:
August 1 Kingsville King Ranch Museum 405 N. 6th St.
August 7 Falfurrias Sacred Heart Parish Hall 201 W. Blucher
August 7 Laredo TAMIU Events Ctr. West. Hemis. Trade Ctr, Rm. 111 5201 University Blvd.
August 8 Alice Knights of Columbus Hall 1050 Cecilia St.
August 8 McAllen McAllen Convention Center 1300 S. 10th St.
August 9 George West George West High School Cafeteria 913 Houston St.
August 9 Harlingen Casa de Amistad 1204 Fair Park Blvd.
August 10 Brownsville City of Brownsville Events Center 1 Event Ctr. Blvd.
*For a full list of hearings go to CorridorWatch.org.
2. Spread the word -- “One Tough Grandma” Carole Keeton Strayhorn, independent candidate for Governor -- is fighting to open up the CINTRA contract to the public, pledged publicly that she will not sign a contract with CINTRA, and to call for a vote of the people!
http://carolestrayhorn.com. 3. Declare your own political independence! Independent Texans is seeking recognition for the 35%, and growing, plurality of people who do not identify with a political party -- we vote for the person, not the party. Join us, it’s free. And, please forward this to everyone you know!
INDEPENDENT TEXANS
Declare Your Independence!
indytexans.org
PO Box 14294 ** Austin, TX 78761 ** 512-535-0989
Paid for by Independent Texans, Gerardo Cardenas, Treasurer
From what I've heard, a 2 cent rise in the gas tax would bring as much money as the tolls. Doesn't sound like much money but, I haven't done the math. Anyone one else heard that?
