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Tim Kieth is the new CEO at Texas Central Rail. He is:
Texas Central Rail also garnered a $75 Million investment from:
One notable supporter, Senator Don Huffines, breaking from other conservative Senators Like Kolkhorst, who filed bills this year to limit the rail’s eminent domain authority:
Today’s…
Ferris City Council named Carl Sherman the city’s new City Manager. He is also mayor of DeSoto, an uncompensated position.
During the vetting process, Sherman was asked about his stance on high speed rail, something Ellis County Commissioners Court opposes. Sherman said he will be too busy running the city to get into politics like high speed rail.
Montgomery County and the city of Magnolia formed a regional planning commission to monitor the proposed high speed rail project.The current path of the high speed rail proposal does not cross Magnolia or Montgomery County.
Both local governments appear to be opposed to the high speed rail and its taking of private land. As such, the city and county are being vigilent just in case.
Montgomery County Judge Craig Doyal: ” We are committed to opposing any routing of high speed rail…
Nationally 2 high speed rail projects have moved beyond “gee, wouldn’t it be nice if we could zip between cities on a train at high speeds” conjecture.
Congress and the Federal Rail Administration are requiring that every commuter and freight train in the country install positive train control by 12/31/2015.
Positive Train Control is anticipated increase train safety. It can cost hundreds of millions to install. Congress allocated no funds to help railways, and included a fine for not installing the safety measure of $25,000 per day.
Rail has known since 2008 of the deadline for positive train control requirements.
This week the State Public Works Board in California adopted condemantion resolutions for 16 more properties. Taking the total pending and potential eminent domain cases to 246 since December 2013. Fresno Bee
California’s experience is teaching us that high speed rail is a process. To move high speed rail along more quickly, the California legislature added a budget rider that will:
High Speed Rail escaped the conference committee on House Bill 1, without the provision removing its ability to be granted the power of eminent domain.
The no votes by the conferees were:
More fights are on the horizon as Texas Central Railways seeks to aquire land and requisite funding to build the Dallas-Houstonn high speed rail.
Posted in2015 legislation, eminent domain, railways
HB 1 Conferee agreement on Rider 48 of the Transportation Article in the state budget would prohibit TXDOT from expending any funds for Texas Central Rail. Central Rail is waiting to hear what fate will bring. A few weeks ago a representative from the group pushing the Texas Central High Speed Rail said that the project couldn’t happen in Texas without eminent domain. The response from the opponents: “Eminent domain = free market? The free market includes both a willing buyer and willing seller. Eminent domain, by definition, does not.”Does Central Texas Rail Live or Wilt?
High Speed Rail Opponents: Eminent Domain is Not Free Market