Representative Kolkhorst Rallys Strong Support for HB2772 With More Than 100 Members Signed On In Support

A two-year moritorium bill that started in the Senate has taken hold in the House with enough support to overcome a veto.

Despite the overwhelming support for HB2772, House Transportation Committee Chairman Mike Krusee continues to stick with Ric Williamson and Rick Perry in defending the current transportation policy, including the TTC. Now that HB2772 is in his committee everyone is watching to see just how long he will delay action. No hearing date has been set. When it does come up for a vote it should pass out with a 5-4 vote.

Today, March 19, HB2772 saw two more Representatives sign on as co-author bringing that total to 101, one more than needed to reject a veto (provided enough time is left in the session). This week CorridorWatch expect an additional four or more Reps to added their names to the bill.

If there is any resistance to the moritorium it can be found in Collin, Denton, Tarrant, and Dallas Counties where they are concerned about the delay of SH121.

We have strong indications that TxDOT is putting pressure on local officials who are in turn putting pressure on their Senators and Representatives to oppose SB1267/HB2772. In response CorridorWatch is working in those counties to provide local officials with additional information that highlights the hazzard of rushing into the pending deal with Cintra.

On the Senate side SB1267 is set for hearing on Wednesday, March 21st, where it should easily pass and be sent to the Senate floor. That hearing will start at 7:30 a.m. and SB1267 likely won't come up until afternoon. If you attend the hearing we ask that you complete a witness card and check the box "for" and "do not wish to testify." We don't need to take their time to beat this horse.

Black says, "Don't mistake loud for large."

In a March 18, 2007, Austin American-Statesman article Robert Black is reported as predicting, "that Perry's toll road initiatives, including long-term deals with private companies such as Spain's Cintra, will survive the session." At CorridorWatch we see that as being in political denial. Every aspect of Williamson's TxDOT and Perry's transportation policy is being called into question and much of it us under outright attack.

Especially devoid of reality was Black's response to reports of a ground swell of opposition, "Don't mistake loud for large," he told the Statesman. By the end of the session it should be clear that together we are large and loud.

This will be a legislative session of sweeping changes in the state's transportation policy. While it's unlikely that we will get all the reversals and reforms we would like to see, the overall impact will certainly be dramatic. Already sparks have flown as TxDOT officials appear before various Senate and House committees.

As we spend more time in the halls of the Capitol we hear that Ric Williamson is heavily lobbying legislators in an attempt to reverse their support for HB2772 and other bills that will take away the excessive power previously granted in previous legislative sessions.