Link to article here. The opening of these tax-funded tollways is just a glimpse into the toll tidal wave Perry and the highway lobby have planned for Texans. Taxing us again for what we’ve already paid for is highway robbery! Perry is intent on selling off control of our public roadways to private special interests who have lined his campaign coffers to the tune of over $1 million.

It’s time to end this reign of corruption and end this tolling scheme that will cost the average family $2,000-4,000 a year just to drive to work. Since Perry refuses to heed the will of the PEOPLE and refuses to allow us a vote, voters will choose to give Perry the boot on November 7.

From Austin Toll Party Founder Sal Costello, “Two of the tolls opening this week in Central Texas, Texas 130 (a TTC Primer), Texas 45 North toll roads were built with the use of diverted City of Austin transportation bond dollars approved by voters in November 2000. Voters were told the bond dollars would be used for public roads and bike paths, but tens of millions of dollars have been diverted for these toll roads!

“How could this Happen? Well, the media has failed to do it’s job.

“For example, The Austin American Statesman endorsed the plan to toll our tax funded freeways on June 27, 2004. Then last week the Statesman endorsed Rick Perry. When the media focuses more energy on endorsing unaccountable bureaucracies, corrupt politicians and selling electronic toll tags and NO time on investigative reporting, we, the public get fleeced.

“Perry’s all trick and no treat freeway tolls on MoPac and Texas 45 permanently take our public expressways, as we are forced to drive on increasingly congested frontage roads with stop lights. TxDOT will have a financial incentive NOT to address traffic congestion on our frontage roads. Traditional toll roads in the United States allow drivers free expressways as alternatives, but Perry’s freeway tolls permanently convert what should be a freeway to a tollway. And, the coming tolls on 71 and 183 are worse, as they are 100% funded with our tax dollars, the construction almost complete, and can easily open as free roads. Perry calls it ‘Innovative Financing ’, we call it Highway Robbery.”

First segment of tolls opens in Austin
By Patrick Driscoll
Express-News
11/01/2006

AUSTIN — State officials pulled their finger out of a dike when they opened this region’s first 27 miles of toll roads Tuesday and Wednesday.

The sections of Texas 130, Texas 45 and Loop 1 are the first wave, a trickle really, of hundreds of miles of toll roads that could be built in Texas over the next couple of decades, including more than 70 miles in San Antonio.

“The turnpike is one step in about 100 steps that this state will take over the next 25 years,” Texas Transportation Commission Chairman Ric Williamson said at a ribbon-cutting Wednesday.

Tolls and private sector involvement are keystones to a new state strategy adopted by Gov. Rick Perry and other elected leaders in recent years to build highway lanes more quickly without raising gas taxes, a move both praised and denounced.

“Texas is well ahead of the curve when it comes to embracing innovative approaches,” said Mary Phillips, an associate administrator with the Federal Highway Administration.

Terri Hall of San Antonio Toll Party calls it a scheme to fleece motorists out of $2,000 to $4,000 a year just to drive to work.

“The opening of these tax-funded tollways is just a glimpse into the full tidal wave Perry and the highway lobby have planned for Texans,” she said.

Texas Department of Transportation officials credit a mix of tax dollars, private investment and toll fees with delivering Austin’s tollway, first discussed in the 1980s, within five years rather than 25.

“In my 35-plus years in the department, I’ve never seen this many miles of highway opened in one day,” TxDOT Director Michael Behrens said.

By the time officials open a dozen more miles of Texas 130, north to Georgetown, next month and about 25 miles of all three roads by the end of next year, the $3.6 billion system will be 65 miles long. Work is nearly a year ahead of schedule and more than $350 million under budget.

Motorists can drive free on the roads until Jan. 6, when they’ll be charged 10 to 15 cents a mile. Those opting to use an electronic TxTag, which will allow them to whisk by toll plazas without stopping, will pay half price in February and get a 10 percent discount after that.

An estimated 50,000 motorists ventured onto the tollway as it opened in stages Tuesday, and about 32,000 whooshed down its lanes during morning rush hour Wednesday, TxDOT officials said.

Carlos Gonzales, elated by the birth of his daughter Cerena on Tuesday, found another sweet surprise while driving home from a hospital. An empty highway, where none had existed before, appeared before him.

“I liked it,” he said. “But I don’t like the fact that they’re going to charge. I probably will use it but not every day.”

Much of the tollway, mostly four and six lanes but up to 20 lanes wide, passes through scrub brush, pastures and forests and goes past farmhouses, industrial sites, shopping centers and apartment complexes. On Wednesday, cattle grazed in the shadows of ramps connecting Texas 45 to Loop 1.

TxDOT officials say the area is among the fastest growing in the United States. But for some Austin residents, the new toll system is a world away.

“I saw it on TV but I don’t even know where it is,” said Sam Valdez, a cashier at a gas station on Interstate 35. “It’s not anywhere near my side of town. I know I won’t ever use it.”

According to Harvey Kronberg’s Quorum Report….

October 27, 2006

POLL SAYS STRAYHORN WITHIN 5 POINTS OF PERRY

Based on poll, campaign has committed an additional $250K to final week of TV

According to McLaughlin & Associates, the governor’s race has tightened dramatically, with Independent Carole Strayhorn within five points of incumbent Republican Governor Rick Perry.

The poll tested 600 likely voters on October 25th and 26th.

According to these numbers, the unusually large number of undecideds that other polls were registering early last week has begun to shrink dramatically. The McLaughlin poll says 8.2% are now undecided and a good number have migrated to Strayhorn. A solid 57% of undecideds are women.

The four way matchup numbers are:

Perry-31.8%

Strayhorn-26.7%

Bell-21.7%

Friedman–11.7%

Link to article in San Antonio Lightning here.

PUSH POLLING BY TEAM CASTRO ALLEGED
‘If Balido Left His Mexican
Wife For A White Woman…’
Racial Issues Fly As Campaign Goes Negative
San Antonio Lightning
10-25-2006

The troubled Joaquin Castro campaign has run into more controversy, as voters report apparent “push-polls” in his quest to retain State Rep 125.

Castro has been trying to defend his role in promoting toll roads in Texas, and has denied wrong doing and campaign violations.

* * *

One westside voter, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation, has reported getting a “opinion” phone call, paraphrased here, which asked:

“If you knew Nelson Balido left his Mexican wife for a white woman, would that make you more likely, less likely to vote for Joaquin Castro, or no difference.”

Other voters confirmed calls with similar messages

Balido and his wife, Sandra — born in Tampico Mexico — have been married for 10 years. It is Balido’s only marriage.

* * *

A northside voter, Susan Dikin, who went on the record reports that she received a similar poll asking if she knew Nelson Balido was a “convicted felon” would that influence her vote?” (Click for audio.)

In a widely reported story in the Express-News four years ago, Balido explained an adjudicated case stemming from a 1992 charge of illegally obtaining steroids to help relieve pain from a childhood injury caused when he was hit by a car. The case was resloved, Balido finished his probation and the record was expunged.

Dikin says she was “shocked” by the deceptive poll, and saw immediately that someone was trying to poison her against Balido. She didn’t report the issue until block walkers for Balido came to her door.

* * *

Castro has recently drawn criticism because of a video tape which shows one of his campaign workers demolishing opponent Balido’s exhibit shown at a anti-toll rally in which he received the important SA Toll Party endorsement.

Castro, who is no stranger to deception was caught filling in for his twin brother Julian during the last mayoral race.

Julian lost.

Joaquin Castro has refused to take our calls on this story, but is offered free space to respond.

Nelson Balido has called the Castro activities “unacceptable.”

* * *

Not that the Lightning is singling out the Balido-Castro bout, but it is an outrageous example of what is wrong with Bexar County elections in general, and the dirty tricks that crop-up each cycle.

The local daily-monopoly Express-News is censoring negative comments on Castro. They endorsed him last week — Friday the 13th.

E-N also missed the big KLRN debate of last Sunday, in which Castro did a nervous tap-dance when asked about the video taped vandalism.

And they have consistently ignored anti-tollers like Terri Hall, a strong voice against the smelly Cintra-Zachry-Perry deal.

* * *

Makes you wonder what else they are censoring, doesn’t it?

We’ll answer that question, and more as this series continues.

We’ll show you some monkey shines at the polls themselves.

And we’ll introduce you to some 118-year-old plus registered voters. Now that’s civic involvement!

More to follow.

This was compiled by supporter Ralph E. Snyder of Holland, TX. Another reminder of who wants you to pay tolls for what we’ve already paid for, who wants the Trans Texas Corridor, and who doesn’t want you to have a vote or say in the matter!

These politicians are the people who brought you the
TRANS-TEXAS CORRIDOR AND

TOLLS ON ROADS WE’VE ALREADY PAID FOR.

They voted to confiscate Texans’ private property and
give it to a foreign company for profit. (HB-3588)

Governor Rick Perry (R)

AG Commissioner Todd Staples (R), (Senate sponsor of Trans Texas Corridor bill)

TX Senators:

Dist 1 Kevin P. Eltife (R)

Dist 2 Bob Deuell (R)

Dist 5 Steve Ogden (R)

Dist 12 Jane Nelson (R)

Dist 15 John Whitmire (D)

Dist 17 Kyle Janek (R)

Dist 22 Kip Averitt (R) (Falls, McClennan, & Hill Co)

Dist 25 Jeff Wentworth (R)

Dist 29 Eliot Shapleigh (D)

Texas House of Representatives:

Dist 2 Dan Flynn (R)

Dist 4 Betty Brown (R)

Dist 7 Tommy Merritt (R)

Dist 8 Byron Cook (R)

Dist 15 Rob Eissler (R)

Dist 19 Mike Hamilton (R)

Dist 20 Dan Gattis (R) (Milam Co, northern Williamson Co)

Dist 24 Larry Taylor (R)

Dist 29 Glenda Dawson (R)

Dist 32 Gene Seaman (R)

Dist 45 Patrick M. Rose (D)

Dist 46 Dawnna Dukes (D)

Dist 50 Mark Strama (D)

Dist 52 Mike Krusee (R) (southern Williamson Co–author of TTC bill)

Dist 55 Dianne White Delisi (R) (Bell Co–co-author of TTC bill)

Dist 56 Charles “Doc” Anderson (R) (McClennan Co)

Dist 58 Rob Orr (R) (Bosque Co)

Dist 59 Sid Miller (R) (Coryell Co)

Dist 60 James L. “Jim” Keffer (R)

Dist 62 Larry Phillips (R)

Dist 64 Myra Crownover (R)

Dist 65 Burt Solomons (R)

Dist 69 David Farabee (D)

Dist 70 Ken Paxton (R)

Dist 81 G.E. “Buddy” West (R)

Dist 83 Delvin Jones (R)

Dist 84 Carl H. Isett (R)

Dist 86 John Smithee (R)

Dist 88 Warren Chisum (R)

Dist 89 Jodie Laubenberg (R)

Dist 96 Bill Zedler (R)

Dist 97 Anna Mowery (R)

Dist 98 Vicki Truitt (R)

Dist 99 Charlie Geren (R)

Dist 102 Tony Goolsby (R)

Dist 103 Rafael Anchia (D)

Dist 105 Linda Harper-Brown (R)

Dist 107 Bill Keffer (R)

Dist 108 Dan Branch (R)

Dist 112 Fred Hill (R)

Dist 113 Joe Driver (R)

Dist 114 Will Hartnett (R)

Dist 120 Ruth Jones McClendon (D)

Dist 121 Joe Straus (R)

Dist 122 Frank J. Corte Jr. (R)

Dist 123 Mike Villarreal (D)

Dist 127 Joe Crabb (R)

Dist 129 John E. Davis (R)

Dist 130 Corbin Van Arsdale (R)

Dist 132 Bill Callegari (R)

Dist 134 Martha Wong (R)

Dist 138 Dwayne Bohac (R)

Dist 144 Robert E. Talton (R)

Since these folks have worked so hard to give our land to the Spaniards,
I feel they deserve a vacation. Let’s send them home.

Link to Austin American Statesman editorials here.

A warning from Houston

I’m a longtime Houston resident who has a few comments for Austin area
taxpayers and drivers to consider as their toll road system rolls out.
Mobility is not necessarily the prime factor in toll road decisions. The
Houston toll road system is run by a small group of bureaucrats, with no
public oversight. The toll road on the Interstate 10 expansion replaced HOV
lanes that were to eventually be converted to rail. The taxpayers got no
more lanes, no future rail and the opportunity to pay tolls forever.
Some of the toll roads planned for Houston will actually hurt mobility in
that they primarily benefit developers who have land that cannot be
developed without better access to freeways. These toll roads just add more
commuters to the road system.
Another factor is that taxpayers are in line to cover interest and principal
payments if tolls fall short of expectation, as was the case for the Hardy
Toll road.
CARLTON JONES
Houston

FINALLY a major paper sees Strayhorn’s vision, experience, saavy, and “tough” approach as the top choice!

This is critical because it’s Perry’s base of support. You may recall an article on our blog a few weeks ago (see it here) where Perry thumbed his nose at the opposition to tolls and the Trans Texas Corridor in Austin, San Antonio, El Paso and elsewhere because he knows all he needs to win is Dallas and Houston, which are heavily Republican. Now that base is cracking under the weight of the TTC and our grassroots movement!

Strayhorn for governor
The state comptroller recognizes that education is the key to solving Texas’ problems.
Houston Chronicle
Oct. 19, 2006
As Election Day approaches, Texas finds itself locked in a government and tax structure better suited to the 19th century than to the 21st. Its depleted natural resources can no longer finance quality education with money to spare. Its low taxes and limited government regulation are no longer enough to lure businesses looking for a skilled work force and a high quality of life for their executives and employees.

The future of Texas lies with its children, yet the state is failing many of those children on almost every level. One out of every four Texas children lives in poverty. About 70 percent of these impoverished children have parents who work but receive low pay and no benefits. Too many children growing up in Texas are poorly educated — a drag on the economy that reduces tax revenue as it drives up demand for social services.

One in four children is without health insurance — the highest rate in the United States. Uninsured children tend to be unhealthy and receive care in expensive hospital emergency rooms, burdening taxpayers and employers who pick up the tab.

Texas officials have not acted vigorously to reduce toxic air pollution, particularly in the Houston area. Perhaps the politicians in Austin are too concerned with maintaining the profits of existing businesses or don’t want to offend campaign contributors — or worse, are simply indifferent to public health. Businesses have been deterred from moving here, and many residents are at increased risk for cancer and — especially with children and the elderly — respiratory disease.

Texas badly needs to change its philosophy of governing. In hopes of fostering this change, the Houston Chronicle endorses Carole Keeton Strayhorn for governor. Of the four candidates, she is best equipped to shake up the status quo in a way that balances the needs of both business and residents.

Strayhorn is running as an independent, portraying herself as an outsider who wants to give Austin a jolt. In one sense that is true. She would bring a fresh style of leadership to the executive branch. But it should be remembered that Strayhorn is no novice when it comes to working the levers of government.

She has a lifetime of experience in government and public service. Once mayor of Austin, then a member of the powerful Texas Railroad Commission, Strayhorn serves as state comptroller. She knows how state government operates and how to make it more efficient and effective. Government, she says, can be leaner without being meaner.

More than any other candidate in this race, Strayhorn recognizes that the key to solving Texas’ problems and securing the state’s future is education. Half of all state tax dollars go to the public schools, yet half of Texas’ children drop out before graduating from high school. In the information age, good jobs require higher education, yet too few of those who graduate go on to college.

The population of Texas is rapidly becoming more Hispanic, an ethnic group in which children are disproportionately at risk of dropping out. Unless Texas does a better job of keeping all children in school and preparing them for higher education, the state will not have enough middle-class taxpayers to pay for the education and government services a civilized society requires.

Strayhorn promises to make Texas public schools a model for the nation. She has a blueprint to raise teacher pay, recruit quality teachers, provide adequate and reliable school funding, increase student performance and cut the disastrous dropout rate. She has won the backing of the state’s teachers.

Unhealthy children tend to be poor students. To increase the number of Texas children with health insurance, Strayhorn vows to make maximum use of the Children’s Health Insurance Program, better known as CHIP and largely financed by the federal government. She decries decisions in recent years to cut the program’s services and send hundreds of millions of dollars contributed by Texans to other states. She would end the contract that left registration and eligibility for social services in the hands of an inept and uncaring private company.

Gov. Rick Perry has missed his chance to make the kind of changes Texas needs. The other two candidates have not shown the kind of vision and leadership to do any better. The Chronicle believes only Carole Keeton Strayhorn has the experience and savvy to win election to the governorship and then use the office to improve public education and change the course of Texas for the better.