Thread: TX: Moratorium passes Senate

Senate passes toll road bill
Some say it's last hope for restricting private toll contracts.
By Ben Wear

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF


Friday, April 27, 2007

A proposal some senators called "the last great hope" this session to restrict private toll road contracts passed the Texas Senate today 27-4.

If the House quickly agrees to House Bill 1892 with the substantial changes made by the Senate, then the bill would reach Gov. Rick Perry's desk in time for the Legislature to overcome a possible veto.

The bill, originally written to protect the Harris County Toll Road Authority, now includes as well a two-year ban on private toll road contracts, with certain exceptions. For those exceptions in Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio and El Paso, the bill limits what the state might have to pay tollway operators for competing roads.

It also shortens the maximum length of such contracts from 70 years to 40 years.

Good for Texas. We know the govenor will veto it, but it seems like they have the votes to make it pass.

Way to go all you texans!! Show your stuff!!