Like TURF
Follow TURF|
Tell your State Rep. to vote
No on HB 2578
We oppose giving private, foreign corporations exemptions from cap on toll fines
|
|
HB 2578 (Thompson, E.) - Would exempt private, foreign corporations in Comprehensive Development Agreementtoll contracts (also known as public private partnerships) from toll collection reforms. Last session, the House voted 136-3 (see Amendment #39 in House journal on SB 312) to cap toll fines at $48/year and forbid toll entities from imposing administrative fees until after a driver has at least received his/her first bill (ie - can't impose admin. fees until after 30 days).
* This bill would exempt CDA firms from these protections and allow punitive fines and fees to be levied against unwitting drivers simply because they're driving on a PRIVATIZED toll project instead of a public one. (Exempts them from Sec. 228.0545, Sec. 228.0546, Sec. 228.0547that allows pay by mail. Every user that drives on the private toll lanes without a toll tag is a violator, would not be given the ability to pay just the toll without fines/fees tacked on, and would be subject to criminal penalties).
* How is the public supposed to know they're going to get soaked under a different set of rules for using segments of privatized toll projects (like segments of I-635 in Dallas, I-820 in Ft. Worth, SH 130 around Austin, or SH 288 in Brazoria) that are part of our public highway system?
HB 2578 would EXEMPT these special interests from abiding by the law. This would apply to ALL CDAs signed before the law passed in May 2017 (Section 223.208). This bill further demonstrates why the legislature SHOULD NEVERenter into CDAs because it ties elected officials' hands over future policy decisions based on long-term, 50-yr contracts that hurt Texas drivers.
CDAs and this bill put private interests over the public interest.
The public cannot hold these private entities accountable.
It's worse than taxation without representation!
Bottom line the House voted 136-3 to restrict public toll entities from charging punitive fines and fees, and it's WRONG to give private entities exceptions from those public protections because they complain they'll lose money when they're held to the same standard as a public toll entity.
**************
TAKE ACTION IMMEDIATELY!
Find out who your STATE representative is here.
Call the capitol switchboard 512-463-4630, ask for your state rep.'s office and to tell them to vote 'No' on HB 2578!
Say 'No' to corporate giveaways. Vote 'No' on HB 2578. This is a vote for toll roads and toll fine abuses.
|