Was Churchill a Cintra guy?

May 23, 2007

Transportation writer Jake Batsell sheds some light on the stalemate over transportation policy:

As lawmakers sort out Texas’ transportation future in the feverish finale to the legislative session, Ric Williamson is taking a page from Sir Winston Churchill.

During a monthly media briefing today, the Texas Transportation Commission chairman gave reporters blue rubber wristbands emblazoned with a Churchillian message: “Never ever give up.”

Apparently that’s the mantra at TxDOT these days. Earlier this month, the embattled state agency was staring at near-universal acceptance of a far-reaching bill that not only would slap a two-year moratorium on private toll roads but also would require TxDOT to fork over state rights-of-way – for free – whenever local authorities wanted them.

But after a series of compromises negotiated between lawmakers and Gov. Rick Perry’s office, TxDOT may escape the session with a much less severe bill that preserves right-of-way payments and may even allow parts of the controversial Trans Texas Corridor to go forward.

If that happens, Mr. Williamson and TxDOT may prove out another quote often attributed to Sir Winston: “It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time.”