The Genesis of Transportation Reinvestment Zones. 4 Things to Know. The AG Opinion that Detailed it.

In 2012, Attorney General Abbott was asked by Chairman Pickett to answer questions about:

  • The Authority of a county to form a transportation reinvestment zone
  • Whether the zone can collect an ad valorem tax increment
  • Can the funds be  pledged and assigned to secure bonds to pay the cost of a transportation project ?

The Attorney General Opinion GA-0981:

  • Transportation Code Chapter 222 lays out Transportation Reinvestment Zone parameters
  • Since we’re talking about Ad Valorem Increment Bonds we also have to look at AG Opinion GA-0953
  • 0953 tells us that we need to look at Texas Constitution Article 8, Section 1-g(b) that limits ad valorem increment bonds to cities and towns but not counties and could threfore be subject to a constitutional challenge base don equal and uniform taxation.
  • Voters rejected a 2011 Constitutional Amendment that would have expanded this language to counties.

 

Trend: Transportation Reinvestment Zone Merger. 3 Benefits of TRZ. 4 Benefits of Transportation Projects.

Which County is proposing a Transportation Reinvestment Zone? Cameron County

How is Cameron County moving forward with the Transportation Reinvestment Zone? The County Commissioners are voting to approve a merger of 5 TIRZ districts

What 3 benefits do they see in the Transportation Reinvestment Zone?

  • “transportation projects can be completed much more quickly”
  • there will be more funding as the RMA will be able to pledge the existing TIRZ funds for a bond directly
  • Potential to create an economic boon for the region

4 benefits of transportation projects:

  • Creates jobs
  • Improves the quality of life
  • Leads to economic development
  • Increases the ad valorem tax base

Refreshing our Recollection: Why do TRZ districts matter?   Transportation Reinvestment Zones were raised by North Texas County Judge during an September 2015 Meeting of the Select House Committee on Transportation Planning. 

Attorney General Opinions at Play: GA-0981 lays out a way that could lead to a constitutional challenge against a TRZ for violating equal and uniform taxation. Cameron County is operating under a theory that a county-wide TRZ does not give rise to a constitutional challenge.

Brownsville Herald | County weighs combined TRZ zone

You Betcha. 3 Things Businesses in a Northern State Say About Transportation Funding Sources.

A survey of businesses in Minnesota by the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce reveals how these businesses feel about filling that state’s $6 Billion, over 10 year, transportation funding deficit.

The results:

  • Largely Oppose new taxes even for transportation funding
  • 64%  support dedicating a sales tax on automobile parts and rental cars
  • 2nd most popular funding option- fees
    •  Specifically, increasing license tab fees & dedicating those fees to roads. 

Transit Talk (Twin Cities) | Report: Businesses oppose new transportation taxes

East & West Texas Editorials Support Raise the Gas Tax. 3 Reasons Why.

Both the Beaumont Enterprise and the Midland Reporter-Telegram ran editorials supporting raising the gas tax. 

  • 2015 Prop 7 is not enough for transportation funding
  • The state still needs $5 billion per year for transportation funding
  • “The only realistic answer is increasing the gasoline tax, which hasn’t changed since 1991”

Midland Reporter-Telegram | Texas highways need more funding, higher gasoline tax

 

2015 House Interim Charges. 7 Committees. Funding. Tollroads. Self Driving Cars. Rail. Ports.

Transportation

Funding | Tollroads | THE INTERIM CHARGES

  • Appropriations: funding that accurately address transportation needs
  • County Affairs: private roadways from 2015’s Prop 5; is it undue competition between industry and counties or expand it?
  • Elections: local bond elections
  • Homeland Security & Public Safety: commercial motor vehicle violations, motor vehicle “two steps, one sticker”
  • Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence: examine the Texas Lemon Law
  • Transportation: roadway flows in disasters; toll road designations; design-build; alternative modes of transportation (high speed rail?)

 Funding | Tollroads | YOUR INFORMED INTEL

 

Self-Driving Cars| Rail | Ports| THE INTERIM CHARGES

  • International Trade & Intergovernmental Affairs: how trade agreements impact on ports & freight infrastructure
  •  Transportation: self driving car traffic safety & economic productivity

Self-Driving Cars| Rail | Ports| YOUR INFORMED INTEL

 

Legal Trend: Taxi Drivers Sue Ride Share Drivers. Sharing Economy Litigates. 3 Points to Know.

What cause of action are contract taxi drivers bringing against ride share companies? Tortious interference with business, punitive damages, and class certification.

Where is the lawsuit filed? Missouri, St. Louis County Circuit Court.

What are the laws and ordinances for ride share in Missouri? 

  • Statewide: no supportive laws
  • Local ordinances: As of September 18, 2015, St. Louis Metropolitan Taxicab Commission allows for ride share operators as long as drivers are fingerprinted as part of their background check. 
    • The local ordinance is in federal court after ride share companies sued, and the Commission counter sued. 

Courthouse News Service | St. Louis cabbies take the fight to uber

High Speed Rail Activism. Regional Planning Committee.

Which regional planning committee meeting is drawing the attention of activists? An Ellis County Sub Regional Planning Commission (“391 commission”) on Thursday November 19th at the Ennis National Bank Event Center

What issue is the regional planning committee hearing? High speed rail

Which activists are engergizing their base? Texas TURF &  Texans Against High-Speed Rail

 

8 Reasons Texans Against High Speed Rail Oppose It. Courtesy of A&M

  • High speed rail will take the same amount of time to get to Houston or Dallas in door-to-door travel time
  • Does not solve roadway traffic congestion
  • high speed rail “solid embankment may interrupt agricultural operations”
  • high speed rail solid embankment may interupt  migration patterns of local wildlife”
  • ” disrupt the peace and quiet for families used to living in rural areas”
  • Negatively impact rural proeprty values
  • taxpayer subsidies 
  • impair private property rights

The Battalion | Texas high speed rail meets opposition from land owners