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2017 Calling. List of Legislators Speaking up. High Speed Rail.

Senator Birdwell:
- “I consider this issue far from resolved and I reiterate my steadfast opposition to the project — both for individual landowners who will be harmed by it in the short term and for the Texas taxpayers who will likely be asked to subsidize it in the long term.”
State Representative Will Metcalf:
- “Fortunately for landowners and all who value property rights, the Surface Transportation Board made the right decision and declined oversight,” Metcalf said in a statement.
Senator Nichols:
- “I think they are going to have to use eminent domain if they’re going to build it, and I think they know that the status of whether or not they do or don’t have it under current Texas law is a pretty shaky area, it’s not real clear,” said Nichols

Potential Legislation for the 2017 Texas Legislature to Stop Texas Central Rail from using Eminent Domain:

Prohibit Texas Central from exercising eminent domain authority
Prevent Texas Central from using private lands for the project, if a 3rd party exercises eminent domain
Rep. Metcalf’s proposal to require elected officials in every city & county along the proposed route to approve it

KHOU | High-speed rail opponents hope to block project next year

6 Reasons. Texas High Speed Rail is Right Time. Right Way. Right Project.

economic powerhouse
will create local jobs
will generate community tax revenue
will create Texas’ newest industry
rigorous study chose to connect the economic powerhouses of Houston & Dallas
Texans will not foot the bill

Ft. Worth Star Telegram | Opinion | Texas’ high-speed train: Right project, right way, right time

2017 Legislation. Local Elections for Red Light Cameras.

The member behind local elections to approve red light cameras? Joe Pickett

Statesman | Rep. Joe Pickett plans bill to let voters decide on red light cameras

INTERIM TREND. Self Driving Cars. Federal Testing Sites. 4 Points Informed Intel.

Who is supporting self driving car testing sites? 3 Michigan lawmakers: U.S. Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow and Representative Debbie Dingell

The propsed location: Michigan

the propsed testing site: 335-acre site, former home of General Motors Willow Run plant that made bombers during World War II.

The purpose of a national testing site? To keep the U.S. competitive

NYTIMES | Testing Sites for Self-Driving Cars Become a Priority

3 Reasons Consumer Advocates Concerned by Self Driving Car Regs.

Consumer Groups support through rule making from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Administrator and not simply guidance
Federal guidance on self driving cars has not been transparent
Federal guidance has not involved public input

The Recorder | Consumer Advocates Wary as Regulators Near ‘Guidance’ on Driverless Cars

What percentage of carpool HOV lane drivers break the rules?

25% of HOV lane drivers break the rules according to study by BYU of Utah HOV lanes.

KUTV 2 | BYU Study: 25 percent of Utah carpool lane drivers breaking the rules

Texas Transportation Debt Financing. 2 Keys to Informed Intel

The amount of debt service per biennium for transportation bonds: $2.2 Billion

The amount Texas borrowed for transportation fudning since 2005: $31 Billion

KLBK 13 | Texas Lawmakers Want New Cash to Payoff Old Construction Debt

10 New Routes for Texas High Speed Rail Released

What entities released 10 new high speed rail routes? Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)

Is there public comment on the 10 routes? Yes, a 45 day public comment period

The purpose of improved rail on these routes? “Providing efficient, more reliable and faster higher-speed passenger rail options to move between cities is crucial for the economy and the population”

Which geographic areas have new proposed routes?

Northern Section – Edmond, Okla., to Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas;
Central Section – Dallas and Fort Worth to San Antonio
Southern Section – San Antonio to south Texas (Corpus Christi, Brownsville, Laredo and the Rio Grande Valley)

RT&S | FRA; TxDOT outline south Texas HSR options

2 Reasons the Surface Transportation Board Declines Oversight of Texas Central High Speed Rail

The proposed high speed rail between Houston and Dallas will not be under the oversight of the Surface Tranportation Board because:

The project is completely within Texas precluding oversight by the federal Surface Transportation Board
Connectivity to Amtrack, the argument for federal oversight, was not persuasive

Is this decision permanement? No, if Texas Central “develop[s] concrete plans that would make the Line part of the interstate rail network…”

Houston Chronicle | Federal board declines to oversee Houston-Dallas bullet train project

Memorial Examiner | Brady helps win first round in federal fight over Texas high-speed rail project

FTAW | Federal Agency Turns Down Oversight Of Proposed Houston To Dallas Bullet Train