Smoke and mirrors in Washington
Texas toll ban added to transportation bill
Sept. 12, 2007
The Associated Press
Copyright 2007
WASHINGTON — The transportation spending bill passed by the Senate on Wednesday includes a ban on tolls for existing Texas roadways.
The Texas toll ban is attached to the $106 billion spending bill approved by the Senate 88-7. The bill also includes an amendment banning Mexican trucks from U.S. roadways, which was passed late Tuesday.
The toll ban amendment authored by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, is in addition to a two-year moratorium imposed on most new privately financed toll road projects by the Legislature during this year's session. The state legislation includes some exemptions.
Building new toll roads or lanes in Texas would not be prohibited by the amendment. In fact, the Texas Department of Transporation is going forward with several toll road projects, said TxDOT spokesman Chris Lippincott.
Building new toll roads or lanes in Texas would not be prohibited by the amendment.
The Senate bill now heads to conference committee to be reconciled with the House version.
President Bush has threatened to veto the final bill because of its cost.
© 2007 The Associated Press: www.ap.org
Related link: Sen Hutchison fails to protect Texas taxpayers from double taxation
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Sept. 12, 2007
The Associated Press
Copyright 2007
WASHINGTON — The transportation spending bill passed by the Senate on Wednesday includes a ban on tolls for existing Texas roadways.
The Texas toll ban is attached to the $106 billion spending bill approved by the Senate 88-7. The bill also includes an amendment banning Mexican trucks from U.S. roadways, which was passed late Tuesday.
The toll ban amendment authored by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, is in addition to a two-year moratorium imposed on most new privately financed toll road projects by the Legislature during this year's session. The state legislation includes some exemptions.
Building new toll roads or lanes in Texas would not be prohibited by the amendment. In fact, the Texas Department of Transporation is going forward with several toll road projects, said TxDOT spokesman Chris Lippincott.
Building new toll roads or lanes in Texas would not be prohibited by the amendment.
The Senate bill now heads to conference committee to be reconciled with the House version.
President Bush has threatened to veto the final bill because of its cost.
© 2007 The Associated Press:
Related link:
To search TTC News Archives click
To view the Trans-Texas Corridor Blog click
posted by Porkus Maximus Tex: at Wednesday, September 12, 2007
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