Category Archives: local government

INTERIM. How Ride Share Wins at a Western State Capitol.

4 ways Uber and Lyft are winning at the California Capitol:

  • Power in Numbers. They can rally drivers, riders, and have lots of hired consultants and lobbyists
  • Both parties like Ride Share.
    • ​California Democrats like the innovation
    • Texas Conservatives like the free market business aspect
  • Neither State nor Cities want to regulate ride share. Power struggle is to the state’s advantage
  • Delay is good for Ride Share. Ride share market share grows during times of delay and the taxi…

+1 County in Opposition Column. High Speed Rail.

Which County Commissioners voted to oppose Texas Central Rail high speed rail plan? Navarro County Commissioners 

The number of counties staking claim to official opposition: 7

The basis for the opposition in Navarro County? Oppose the granting of eminent domain authority to the private high speed rail

County Judge names legislators who support the County Commissioner opposition resulation: Representative Byron Cook and Senator Brian Birdwell

Corsicana Daily Sun | County…

Support for High Speed Rail. +1 City. +1 Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Which local governmetns voted to support Texas Central Rail high speed rail project between Dallas & Houston?

  • Waco City Council
  • Waco Metropolitan Planning Organization

On what is the Waco support based?

  • high speed rail project will be an p​economic catalyst
  • high speed rail is an efficient way to reduce traffic congestion

Waco High Speed Rail Resolution

Waco MPO High Speed Rail Resolution

News 25 Waco | Waco city council endorses Texas high-speed rail project

3 Points from the Opposition. High Speed Rail. Ellis County.

The Ellis County Press published an Op-Ed from Texans Against High Speed Rail.

What points does Texans Against High Speed Rail make in its Op-Ed?

  • Texas Central Rail doesn’t have its funding in place
  • Texas Central Rail has no problems using eminent domain to take land it doesn’t need
  • Texas Central Rail is asking the federal government whether it has to comply with Texas eminent domain laws

Ellis County Press | TCR proposes to acquire land it ultimately won’t use to satisfy investors

Lege TREND. Data Based Transportation Funding. 3 Keys from Eastern State.

Which state moved to data based funding for transportatin projects? North Carolina

When did North Carolina make the move to data based funding? 2013

Why did North Carolina adopt data based funding for transportation? To give highest priority to congestion, safety and economic development

What happened since adopting data based funding? A repeal was “snuck” into the 2015 budget.

What is North Carolina doing to strenthen data based funding?

TREND. West Coast Solution to low road funding? Incremental sales tax.

What proposal is being bandied about to improve local transportation funding in California? incremental sales tax for counties to raise transportation revenue

What are the recommended benchmarks for a local transporation incremental sales tax in California?

  • Flexibility & Inclusiveness.  Need local sales tax authority that can adapt to changing transportation needs
  • Clear bonding authority. Leverage the sales tax revenue for bonds & other financial mechanisms

Sound familiar? Local…

High Speed Rail Responds to Sub Regional Planning Commissioner. 3 Key Pieces Intel.

Quick response to the County Development Sub Regional Planning Commissioner Hiles by Texas Central Rail. 

Texas Central Rail responds with 3 points:

  • The North Texas to Houston High Speed Rail will add $36 Billion to the economy over 25 years
  • It will pay $2.5 billion in taxes to state, counties, cities, hospitals and school districts.
  • The “company WILL NOT seek ANY operational subsidies from the government”

Local news Only | Texas’ high-speed train will provide economic development,…

INTERIM. Sharing Economy. Uber Ultimatum to Houston. 3 Reasons Uber May Leave.

What ultimatum did Uber issue to Houston? Change your ordinance or Uber is out…

What are 3 reasons behind the ultimatium?

  • Bureaucracy isn’t the answer. City regulations are too onerous on drivers 
  • Safety Checks should be Use Modern Tech. Uber thinks its background checks are better for rider safety
  • Houston Stands in the Way of Economic Opportunity for Drivers. City regulations are harming part time drivers that could benefit most from flexible economic opportunities

Houston…

2016 Attorney General Opinion. License Plate Readers. Insurance Enforcement. Procurement FAIL.

What is the question answered by Attorney General Opinion KP-0076? Whether Bowie County can engage a private company to use a license plate reader data looking for vehicles that don’t have liability insurance?

Is there a fee splitting arangement in this scenario? Yes, the vehcile owner will get a letter from the District Attorney office, and fees will be split 50-50 between the County and the company.

Can this fee splitting arrangement with automatic license plate readers…