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Farm Bureau urges governor support of TTC Funding Moratorium
May 7, 2007
Southwest Farm Bureau
Waco – Governor Rick Perry should sign a bill that would establish a two-year moratorium on the controversial Trans Texas Corridor (TTC), according to the board of directors of the state’s largest farm organization.
A letter requesting the governor’s approval of House Bill 1892, signed by the 14 members of the Texas Farm Bureau board, including TFB President Kenneth Dierschke, urges a moratorium on the use of private equity comprehensive development agreements, including the TTC. The letter was delivered to Governor Perry today.
It said in part, “We believe the moratorium envisioned in HB 1892 will give all Texans the opportunity to evaluate future transportation needs and determine if the corridor concept can be modified to reduce its impact on farm and ranch land.”
The bill by Rep. Wayne Smith of Baytown prevents outside entities from buying the rights to build and operate toll roads in Texas and keep the resulting revenues.
Following approval of the letter, Dierschke said, “We remain opposed to the Trans Texas Corridor, but the moratorium will give all of us the chance to take a hard look at the issue. The amount of land that will eventually be taken for this project is staggering.”