Trans-Texas Corridor

 In 2003, the Trans-Texas Corridor was approved by the legislature when HB 3588 passed.  Betty Brown voted for it.  The Texas Department of Transportation said it was the only viable way to alleviate traffic congestion in Texas.  Parts of the plan include:

          1. confiscating more than 500,000 acres of private land--an estimated 5,000 acres in Kaufman County alone

          2. granting Cintra-Zachry rights to the roads--Cintra is a corporation based in Spain 

          3. charging drivers to use the roads.  The toll revenue goes to Cintra, not to the State of Texas.

The deal cut with Cintra states that Cintra will pay upfront costs for road-building; in return, they own the roads and can charge drivers whatever they want for decades to come.

In a speech to a local chamber of commerce this summer, Betty said most chambers of commerce support the plan, while landowners are "leery of it."  Landowners are not leery--many are fighting mad.  Thousands of property owners converged in Austin to rally against the plan, and hundreds more have shown up at the forums held to discuss it.  Land that has been in a family for generations can be cut up and divided so that a toll road can be built, while the revenue generated by that road goes into Cintra's pockets.  

Several counties have banded together to fight the plan, citing the devastating impact it would have on economic development in their areas.  HB 3363, which would have put a moratorium on the corridor 2 years ago, was left pending in committee.  No evidence exists to suggest Betty supported it.  A letter sent to her office asking for her position on the Trans-Texas Corridor was not answered.  

In 2007, SB 792 passed and the moratorium was finally approved.  This time Betty voted to postpone it, but it is just that:  a postponement.  The plan has not been scrapped, private property is still in limbo, and when it comes up for vote again, there is no guarantee that the moratorium will be renewed.

As far as Betty's record goes, it is difficult to discern her position on this issue, other than that she was for it before she decided to postpone it.  However, it is clear that 5,000 acres of her constituents' land is in peril, and the Republican Party platform is opposed to the plan.  Again, a letter sent to her office asking for clarification of her position on the issue was never answered.