Get these resolutions into your Party's platform
Download the summary of main points for each resolution here.Bring several copies of each resolution to your senate convention that convenes March 20:
- Resolution to END gas tax diversions - view resolution
- Eminent Domain Protection from Trans Texas Corridor - view resolution
- Prohibition on Tolling Existing Roads - view resolution
- Repeal mandate to charge highest possible tolls - view resolution
- Stop PPP Private Toll Contracts used to keep Trans Texas Corridor ALIVE- view resolution
- Initiative Referendum to bring toll issues to statewide public vote - view resolution
(for more info on initiative referendum in Texas, go to: http://www.initiativefortexas.org/)
CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVES:
Find out who represents you here.
You may also contact each representative by calling the Capitol switchboard: (512) 463-4630.
Operation: Meltdown the Phones...
Operation: Meltdown the Phones...
TRACK KEY BILLS:
See and track the progress of any bill at the Texas Legislature Online
LINKS TO LEGISLATORS, COMMITTEES, SCHEDULES FOR BILLS:
SENATORS LINK-
REPRESENTATIVES LINK-
TURF Bill Tracker for 81 (R) session 2009
Bad Bills:
SB 855/HB 9 - (Carona/Truitt) "Local option" tax hike bill with a whole menu of transportation taxes (congestion tax, charge by mile tax, and even a tax on parking spaces!), which has a trigger that hijacks the Constitutional Amendment to END gas diversions so this tax bill automatically takes effect if the voters vote to end diversions...the epitome of sneaky government...give us something we don't want (litany of new taxes on everything that moves) to get what we do want (ending diversions from the gas tax)
SB 404/HB 1557 - (Carona/Smith) NO WAY! Extends private toll contracts that sell-off our highways to the highest bidder.
SB 220 - (Nichols) Would create a NEW loophole to convert existing freeways to tollways & legalize the theft of 281, 1604, 290, 59 and more.
SB 17/HB 2929 - (Nichols/Smith) Window dressing as an excuse to re-authorize private toll contracts (PPPs), allows non-compete agreements to guarantee congestion on free roads, and the steps can be waived by all the parties to pass go and jump precipitously to PPPs (Sec 373.057). The way this is structured, if the public toll entity like an RMA cannot get the financing together (or the bonding capacity together which is already happening all over the state), they'd have to pass a toll project to TxDOT and then TxDOT could hand it to the private developer, especially to use private funds to subsidize a toll project that can't stand on its own feet (that isn't 100% toll viable) (Sec 373.054). So this section ultimately doesn't give the public protection, but shows TxDOT they can just wait it out, until they get possession of the project and then they can hand it to the private companies.
SB 1669/HB 2990 - (Nichols/Phillips) Allows RMAs to sell bonds (borrow money) to pay back other debt (borrowed money) Sec 370.071 & Sec 370.113 (4). It also allows them to steal from one segment/corridor (ie - 281) and use the proceeds to fund another a segment that can't work on it's own (ie - 1604)...we shouldn't EVER subsidize a LOSING project! It allows them to participate in the state travel program (which the Attorney General states has been habitually abused by TxDOT), to form a corporation to "promote and develop transportation projects" (to fund toll projects & invest in these private toll sweetheart deals). Sec 371.051 (a) allows them to use motor vehicle registration and license plate info to "develop" a toll project which crosses the line from travel demand modeling into raiding people's personal information and is tantamount to government data-mining!
SB 882/HB 2334 - (Carona/Geren) lifts the $250,000 cap on payments to LOSING BIDDERS on toll road projects in a bill on toll collection! Originally, the law mandated up to $1 million , then in 2007, the Legiuslature knocked it down to $250,000. Now, there's no limit at ALL! They say there's no money for roads, and yet they've got money to pay road contractors even when they DON'T build the road!
SJR 9 - (Carona) This started as a bill to increase the gas tax by indexing it to inflation, and it was also to end diversions from the gas tax, now this bill is tied to the local option tax hikes in SB 855. The original version doesn't specify what index would be used, which would likely mean the highway cost index (which is highly manipulated by the industry) instead of the lower Consumer Price Index. Indexing the gas tax is an automatic tax hike for infinity!
HB 1815 - (Isett) Creates a WHOLE state agency to just write public-private partnership contracts! ABSOLUTELY NOT!
SB 502 - (Carona) Skirts federally required steps in the environmental review process to expedite toll roads over public opposition
HB 300/SB 1019 - (Isett/Hegar) The TxDOT Sunset bill needs to be changed. Abolishes the current appointed Transportation Commission and replaces it with a SINGLE APPOINTED commissioner instead of a SINGLE ELECTED commissioner. We want the Legislative Oversight Committee and Inspector General that can order an independent audit of TxDOT (both of which are in the House version), and the Senate wants neither. Senator Kirk Watson announced "there will be no fundamental change to TxDOT this session," and Senator John Carona told us straight-up that "you're not going to get a single elected commissioner." So put on your boxing gloves and demand the House hang tough against the Senate and REFUSE to compromise on FUNDAMENTAL reform at TxDOT!
Good Bills:
HB 11 - (Leibowitz) To repeal the Trans Texas CorridorHB 15 - (Leibowitz) To mandate only ELECTED officials cast votes on toll roads on local transportation boards
HB 13 - (Leibowitz) To truly end tolls on existing roads (not Nichols' counterfeit bill,SB 220, that actually opens a new loophole)
HB 4205 - (Harper-Brown) To stop TxDOT's taxpayer-funded lobbying and marketing campaigns
HB 4514 - (Coleman) To ensure non-toll options are studied fully
HB 565 - (McClendon) Single elected commissioner to head TxDOT
HB 2557/SB 2158- (Harper-Brown/Shapiro) Ends mandate to do tolls first
HB 1047 - (Deshotel) End diversions to the gas tax (without triggering the added tax hikes like SJR 9)
HB 1483/SB 18 - (Pitts/Estes) To protect landowners from eminent domain abuse (requires good faith offers from the State, gives compensation for diminished access to a landowner's property, and a prohibition on eminent domain for economic development)
We support bills to prohibit toll/traffic offense databases & govt data-mining
TURF Bill Tracker from 2007 session
Privatization/Foreign management:
Two-year Moratorium on Comprehensive Development Agreements (Public-Private Partnerships)
(SB 1267 /HB 2772 - Carona/Kolkhorst), Prevents ANY private entity from collecting revenue or operating/maintaining ANY toll project for 2 years. Forms a study committee to report to Legislature by December 1, 2008.
Prevents foreign ownership
(HB 1321 – Farias/Leibowitz), No public road, highway, tollway, or infrastructure (highways, roads, bridges, ports, etc.) should come under the ownership, lease or control of private entities, particularly foreign-owned/controlled entities.
Actual bill relates to prohibiting an agency or political subdivision of this state, in connection with a public road, highway, toll road, port, or related infrastructure under its jurisdiction, from granting an interest in the property to a private entity.
Public-Private Partnerships: (Comprehensive Development Agreements)
(HB 1321 – Farias/Leibowitz), No public road, highway, tollway, or infrastructure (highways, roads, bridges, ports, etc.) should come under the ownership, lease or control of private entities, particularly foreign-owned/controlled entities.
Actual bill relates to prohibiting an agency or political subdivision of this state, in connection with a public road, highway, toll road, port, or related infrastructure under its jurisdiction, from granting an interest in the property to a private entity.
Public-Private Partnerships: (Comprehensive Development Agreements)
(SB 1267/HB 2772 - Nichols/Kolkhorst), To place a two-year moratorium on public-private partnerships (CDAs), require public hearings, set up study group on impacts.
(SB 275 – Carona) - Actual bill relating to the length of certain agreements
with private entities related to transportation projects.
with private entities related to transportation projects.
(SB 621 – Carona) - Actual bill would prohibit taxpayer payments to
private developer who lost a proposed bid for a toll project.
(SB 256 – Carona) - Prohibit TxDOT/RMAs from receiving upfront
payments from private entities (which creates the effect of hawking public
assets for fast cash)
(SB 126 – Carona), another alternative to privatizing and tolling roads,
depositing certain transportation related taxes/fees into Texas Mobility Fund
vs. General Revenue Fund
Gas tax -
(SB 165 – Carona), Create alternative to privatizing roads by indexing
gas tax. Index gas tax to construction costs as suggested by Texas Transportation
Institute Study
Institute Study
Local option sales tax for transportation
(SB 257 – Carona), Would give local governments an opportunity to generate additional dollars
for roads. It would allow an extra penny to be added to local sales taxes for
transportation projects. San Antonio already has this.
(SB 257 – Carona), Would give local governments an opportunity to generate additional dollars
for roads. It would allow an extra penny to be added to local sales taxes for
transportation projects. San Antonio already has this.
Non-competes:
(SB 149 - Carona), Given widespread concerns over non-competes that were laid out very well
in the December 2006 Texas Monthly No state road or infrastructure project (highways, roads, bridges, ports,
etc.) should include a non-compete agreement in any form including but not
limited to restricting or prohibiting maintenance, improvements, and/or
expansion or anything that could downgrade or otherwise reduce the
effectiveness or efficiency of surrounding lanes, roads, or areas or otherwise
inhibit the public good.
in the December 2006 Texas Monthly No state road or infrastructure project (highways, roads, bridges, ports,
etc.) should include a non-compete agreement in any form including but not
limited to restricting or prohibiting maintenance, improvements, and/or
expansion or anything that could downgrade or otherwise reduce the
effectiveness or efficiency of surrounding lanes, roads, or areas or otherwise
inhibit the public good.
Abolish Trans Texas Corridor –
(HB 1881 – Kolkhorst/HB 857 - Leibowitz), Will repeal the Trans-Texas Corridor from the transportation code,effectively killing the proposal by removing the enabling legislation which
would have served as the foundation for any future corridor project.
(HB 1880 - Kolkhorst), would also seriously inhibit the financing of the
Trans Texas Corridor
Eminent Domain -
(SB 1210/SB 1076 - Carona), addresses eminent domain concerns brought to light from the Trans Texas Corridor. Requires adequate compensation based on market value of property and requires notification of legislator in affected district. SB 1076 nixes quick takings through eminent domain as it pertains to TTC.
Tolling public freeways/conversion:
(SB 1268 Nichols/HB 719 Leibowitz), Any publicly funded right of way SHOULD NOT BE tolled. HB 719 bill is
relating to the operation of a state highway or segment of a state highway as
a toll project. This would keep FREEways FREE. SB 1268 would prevent ANY non-toll lane from becoming a toll lane.
relating to the operation of a state highway or segment of a state highway as
a toll project. This would keep FREEways FREE. SB 1268 would prevent ANY non-toll lane from becoming a toll lane.
Other bills to watch:
Abolish Transportation Commission, replace with
single elected Commissioner
single elected Commissioner
(HB 154 - Pickett), Given the lack of accountability and transparency to the public, abolish the
Transportation Commission replace with single elected Commissioner.
Ensures TxDOT will have to hold public hearings for toll projects (which they can skirt around once they can use their toll road slush fund to build toll projects versus gas taxes which are regulated and require hearings)
(HB 549), Requires the preparation of an environmental impact statement for any toll project the Texas Department of Transportation may undertake.
Transportation Commission replace with single elected Commissioner.
Ensures TxDOT will have to hold public hearings for toll projects (which they can skirt around once they can use their toll road slush fund to build toll projects versus gas taxes which are regulated and require hearings)
(HB 549), Requires the preparation of an environmental impact statement for any toll project the Texas Department of Transportation may undertake.
Limits on use of information collected
(HB 570 - Leibowitz), Bill limiting use of license plate information collected on a toll road.
(HB 570 - Leibowitz), Bill limiting use of license plate information collected on a toll road.
Requiring transparency in toll contracts -
(SB 995 - Nelson), Requiring public disclosure of toll rates, formulas, debt and debt service. Requires public hearings detailing such terms of toll contracts BEFORE entering into contract.
Regional Mobility Authorities: (Not yet filed - Rodriguez)
Governing Boards of all Regional Mobility Authorities should be directly
elected.
Diversion of transportation dollars to non-salient
projects:
(SB 1075/SJR 37 - Wentworth)
All gas taxes and toll revenues must be used strictly to fund transportation
ONLY. Allocation of funds accrued from tolls on roads should be governed
by elected bodies and used only for transportation.
All gas taxes and toll revenues must be used strictly to fund transportation
ONLY. Allocation of funds accrued from tolls on roads should be governed
by elected bodies and used only for transportation.
Tolls should cease when project paid for –
(SB 531 - Carona), Tolls should come off the roads once paid for with ongoing maintenance of
the road then being absorbed into the existing highway maintenance budget.
(SB 531 - Carona), Tolls should come off the roads once paid for with ongoing maintenance of
the road then being absorbed into the existing highway maintenance budget.
Prohibit TxDOT from lobbying Congress –
(SB 2 – Carona), Requesting the Texas Transportation Commission to cease efforts to
influence Congress and other states for changes in federal law relating to the
statewide transportation enhancement program.
Granting counties powers to control their own toll
systems without TxDOT interference –
(SB 792 - Carona), Relating to the power of counties and certain other public entities with
respect to certain transportation projects.
respect to certain transportation projects.
Puts a cap on toll rates –
(SB 386 - Carona), Tolls can only be set at a rate that covers debt service, operation and
maintenance, and reserves.
maintenance, and reserves.
(SB 255 - Carona), Require financial reporting/accountability from
TxDOT
(HB 1688 – Farias), Relating to certain roads that intersect the Trans
Texas Corridor
Texas Corridor
(SB 668 – Watson/HB 1574 – Strama), Operations, powers, and duties of toll project entity
Constitutional amendment - Legislature to override
Governor’s veto
Constitutional amendment - Legislature to override
Governor’s veto
(SJR 28 – Wentworth/HJR 59 - Elkins), Automatic Special Session to override Governor’s veto with joint resolutions