"The whole transportation world in Texas has changed"
— Chairman Ric Williamson, Texas Transportation Commission (10.28.04)

The New Face of Texas Transportation

The new perspective given transportation in Texas represents a dramatic shift in public policy. The Trans Texas Corridor and the wide variety of new fiscal 'tools' now available should be better understood before being fully implemented.

House Bill 3588 of the 78th Legislature has radically changed the way Texas will build, operate and finance a host of broadly defined transportation projects in the future. That future is arriving faster than most Texans are expecting. Recent public reaction to toll conversion demonstrates the disconnect between actions occurring at the state level and public understanding of the changes that are coming.

Changes in public policy and law set into motion by HB-3588 are sweeping. The speed at which these complex changes are occurring significantly multiply the potential, and maybe irreversible, risk of adverse consequences. In fact, it's impossible for anyone to know all the possible ramifications these changes will have.

It is essential that public officials and individuals educate themselves as much as they can about the impact these changes could have on the social, political, environmental, and economic fabric of Texas.

A Starting Place

This summit begins a process of self-education and creating an informed public. Starting with this meeting we can identify our shared concerns and issues and determine what action is required to address those concerns and issues. As organized grassroots advocacy groups we can quickly and effectively share our knowledge and expertise with other concerned and action motivated Texans. Working together we can give our individual voices greater strength to educate and actively participate in the process of change.

Affecting Change

To effectively accomplish desired change, meaningful input should be introduced into the appropriate decision making process. Input must be based on accurate information and criticisms must be constructive.

Participants & Attendees

Summit participants are those who have concern or objection with one or more provisions of law adopted by HB-3588. Attendees are those who recognize the need to inform themselves about the provisions of law adopted by HB-3588. Participants will be given registration priority with attendees accommodated on a space available basis.

Impact Issues

Agriculture Wildlife Economic Development Homeland Security  Environment Water Rights Tolls Transportation Property Rights  Public Safety Foreign Control Comprehensive Development Agreements Tax Policy

Concerns include, but not limited to:

• Conversion of existing free highways into toll ways.

• Ineffective / Inefficient transportation plan.

• Adverse environmental impact of the Trans Texas Corridor, including inadequate environmental assessments, increased pollution of all types, and impact to wildlife.

• Use of general transportation revenues in support of toll road projects.

• The use of transportation and transportation related projects as general revenue generators.

• Public safety issues including multi-hazard, emergency access, and mass casualty potential.

• Taking any land (or thing of value) without just compensation, diverting local government revenues, or otherwise causing adverse economic impact to local government (cities, counties, school districts, etc.).

• Adverse impact to agricultural production.

• Taking private land and/or using state land, for non-public purpose use.

• Private control of public infrastructure, whether direct or indirect.

• Use of state land to circumvent local regulations, including water conservation district rules.

• State subsidized or sponsored competition to private enterprise.

• Combining critical infrastructure elements into a single site (corridor) thereby creating 'soft targets' for terrorist threats.

• The overall concept of the Trans Texas Corridor as proposed.

Toll & Corridor Summit: A Statewide Grassroots Leadership Meeting — November 13, 2004

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This was a non-partisan, non-political meeting. Participants were solely responsible for their own presentations and printed materials. Participants refrained from remarks in support of, or opposition to, any candidate for public office or ballot issue. The opinions expressed by participants and attendees were their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of CorridorWatch.org or any other sponsor, participant or attendee.

Download the Program Brochure as a PDF Document.
[click here]
 

Toll & Corridor Summit: A Statewide Grassroots Leadership Meeting — November 13, 2004

This was a non-partisan, non-political meeting. Participants were solely responsible for their own presentations and printed materials. Participants refrained from remarks in support of, or opposition to, any candidate for public office or ballot issue. The opinions expressed by participants and attendees were their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of CorridorWatch.org or any other sponsor, participant or attendee.

Toll & Corridor Summit: A Statewide Grassroots Leadership Meeting — November 13, 2004

At the conclusion of the workshop session a consensus had been reached among all participants to support a Joint Statement. The resulting Joint Statement will now be taken to the boards and/or membership of each organization for their consideration of approval and official ratification.

Download the Joint Statement as a PDF Document.
[click here]

Toll & Corridor Summit: A Statewide Grassroots Leadership Meeting — November 13, 2004

The Toll & Corridor Summit was sponsored by:

Citizens Against State Highway to Toll Road Abuse and Proliferation
Cashtrap.us 

Erik Slotboom, Author
 HoustonFreeways.com

Save Our Springs Alliance
sosalliance.org 

Texas Wildlife Association
Texas-Wildlife.org 

For additional information about the Toll & Corridor Summit please contact —

Download the Program Brochure as a PDF Document.
[click here]

Toll & Corridor Summit: A Statewide Grassroots Leadership Meeting — November 13, 2004

Last Update: Thursday, 02 November 2006