I can’t argue with his logic. State and local politicians are probably a little easier to bribe.
When Loop 610 was built around Houston Hofheinz was judge. A man owned land on the west side and he wanted his land to be on both sides of the freeway. Since he gave a lot of money to Hofheinz the route was moved and went through the middle of the donor’s land. That also left only enough room for one lane to connect 610 with US 59 in both directions. And it’s a nightmare.
The West land use issue is so far removed and much bigger than your little story.