CTC: Advocacy

Toll road accountability: CTC advocacy update

May 26, 2005 -- The 79th Texas Legislative session saw some improvement to toll road accountability, but there's more work to do.

CTC has no more activity planned this session to help move along our key legislation. The last message from Sen. Janek's office was clear: our last possible vehicle for attaching our toll accountability language is gone.
Bottom line: we did not get state law changed to require public accountability on new county toll road projects. However, we have at least one legislative victory to point to, and we made a lot of progress gaining political support:
1) Victory on Toll Road Conversion Accountability Language. It looks like we will have a state law that will require public hearings, and affirmative votes of affected local neighbors and municipalities, before toll roads can be converted. This does not apply to new projects, but this is a whole class of transportation projects.
2) City Council Was Turned Around. A majority of Houston City Council members now support our toll road accountability initiative. This was not the case in early 2005.
3) Houston Mayor Is Publicly On Our Side. Who would have expected that the City of Houston lobbying team would partner with us to lobby the state legislature? This only happened because of a well-thought-out and well-supported effort by CTC.
4) Lots of Neighborhood Groups Publicly Support Our Efforts. To have more than 40 neighborhood organizations and super neighborhood folks -- along with groups like USOS and CASHTRAP -- formally vote to support CTC's toll accountability resolution was fantastic.
5) Texas Legislators Were Educated. Until we presented our case, few legislators realized that county toll road authorities are not subject to the same public participation and environmental review requirements as TxDOT or other tolling authorities in the state.
6) Texas House Transportation Committee Was Impressed. Our lobbying and testimony in Austin on April 26 was first rate. Our efforts at the hearing turned what was a dead bill -- Rep. Wong's HB2496 -- into a vehicle that was still alive until mid-May. Senator Ellis' support was gained as a result of the face-to-face lobbying that occurred that day in Austin.
7) We know what we are doing. CTC has a lot more experience and skill in citizen lobbying of the state legislature and has made some great contacts.
8) We are in a great position for the next session! CTC will succeed with the continued efforts of folks like you. Learn more about what YOU can do here or email ctc-advocacy@ctchouston.org.

Citizens' Transportation Coalition: advocacy information organization forums
Citizens' Transportation Coalition, Inc. Copyright© 2004-2007. All rights reserved.
address: PO Box 66532 Houston TX 77266-6532 phone: 713-301-5716 email: chair@ctchouston.org



Toll road accountability: CTC advocacy update May 26, 2005 -- The 79th Texas Legislative session saw some improvement to toll road accountability, but there's more work to do. CTC has no more activity planned this session to help move along our key legislation. The last message from Sen. Janek's office was clear: our last possible vehicle for attaching our toll accountability language is gone. Bottom line: we did not get state law changed to require public accountability on new county toll road projects. However, we have at least one legislative victory to point to, and we made a lot of progress gaining political support: 1) Victory on Toll Road Conversion Accountability Language. It looks like we will have a state law that will require public hearings, and affirmative votes of affected local neighbors and municipalities, before toll roads can be converted. This does not apply to new projects, but this is a whole class of transportation projects. 2) City Council Was Turned Around. A majority of Houston City Council members now support our toll road accountability initiative. This was not the case in early 2005. 3) Houston Mayor Is Publicly On Our Side. Who would have expected that the City of Houston lobbying team would partner with us to lobby the state legislature? This only happened because of a well-thought-out and well-supported effort by CTC. 4) Lots of Neighborhood Groups Publicly Support Our Efforts. To have more than 40 neighborhood organizations and super neighborhood folks -- along with groups like USOS and CASHTRAP -- formally vote to support CTC's toll accountability resolution was fantastic. 5) Texas Legislators Were Educated. Until we presented our case, few legislators realized that county toll road authorities are not subject to the same public participation and environmental review requirements as TxDOT or other tolling authorities in the state. 6) Texas House Transportation Committee Was Impressed. Our lobbying and testimony in Austin on April 26 was first rate. Our efforts at the hearing turned what was a dead bill -- Rep. Wong's HB2496 -- into a vehicle that was still alive until mid-May. Senator Ellis' support was gained as a result of the face-to-face lobbying that occurred that day in Austin. 7) We know what we are doing. CTC has a lot more experience and skill in citizen lobbying of the state legislature and has made some great contacts. 8) We are in a great position for the next session! CTC will succeed with the continued efforts of folks like you. Learn more about what YOU can do here or email ctc-advocacy@ctchouston.org.
Citizens' Transportation Coalition: advocacy information organization forums Citizens' Transportation Coalition, Inc. Copyright© 2004-2007. All rights reserved. address: PO Box 66532 Houston TX 77266-6532 phone: 713-301-5716 email: chair@ctchouston.org