Thursday, October 20, 2005

Proposition 1: "The Texas Legislature would determine how much money to use for this, with no constitutional cap."

Editorial Board Recommendations:

PROPOSITION 1


October 20, 2005
The Victoria Advocate
Copyright 2005

“The constitutional amendment creating the Texas rail relocation and improvement fund and authorizing grants of money and issuance of obligations for financing the relocation, rehabilitation and expansion of rail facilities.” The proposed amendment would create the Texas Rail Relocation and Improvement Fund and would commit state money, from both bond sales and tax revenue, to pay for relocating, upgrading and expanding freight and passenger rail capabilities in Texas.

The Texas Legislature would determine how much money to use for this, with no constitutional cap. This funding probably would be diverted from money the Texas Department of Transportation needs to maintain, upgrade and expand the state’s roads and highways.

According to the League of Women Voters of Texas voters guide, “it has been projected that $20 billion will be needed to relocate and modernize existing rail facilities in Texas over the next 20 years.”

State bond money and state revenue from taxpayers should not go to financing whatever relocations, rehabilitations and expansions Texas rail facilities require. The Advocate recommends voting AGAINST Proposition 1.

© 2005 The Victoria Advocate: www.thevictoriaadvocate.com

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