Do Texas highways need love or money -- or both?

Guest column from two state legislators who predict that Texas' eroding transportation system will be a major issue during the next session, which starts in January.

Comments

[Garl B. Latham]

I've been debating with myself as to how I should respond, since I'd like to think the writers are sincere and truly desire nothing but the best for Texas and Texans.

Unfortunately, the proverbial definition of "insanity" keeps popping into my mind: doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result. ANYONE among us who believes we can pave our way out of gridlock or continue over-using automotive technology with impunity is INSANE - and that includes elected officials, other "leaders" and myriad transportation "experts"...even if they _are_ part of the Texas Lyceum!

THIS is the truth, like it or not: the social "prosperity" supposedly brought to us by our highways has been nothing but an ILLUSION! Our auto-centric culture has helped scar our landscape, undermine our quality of life, destroy our private passenger train services, damage our environment, wound our cities and create such an overwhelming financial burden that our children's children will _still_ be servicing the collective debt owed to our oil-rich enemies!

Is Texas now facing a "transportation crisis"? Perhaps; but, it is NOT due to the fact that spending on roads has not kept up with population growth, or that Texas highways are no longer the "pride of the state." It is due to our single-minded insistence that the planning, development, construction and maintenance of roadways should occur, unbridled, even if at the direct expense of proven _alternative_ modes.

Should we "end transportation funding diversions"? Maybe; but, the example given - our Department of Public Safety - is totally invalid. After all, a lion's share of D.P.S. work is directly related to patroling of highways, licensing of drivers, inspection of vehicles, and overall roadway safety issues. Today's D.P.S. wouldn't be anywhere _near_ as big, nor have such a voracious appetite for taxpayer's money, if it was not for its role governing Texas roads.

Should we "use bond funding transparently"? Absolutely; but, I'd love to see that as a universal goal, unrelated to transport specifics. Would that _everything_ our "leaders" did was "transparent"!

Should we "support regional financing tools"? Yes; but, not if that means less direction from Austin or money from Washington! If "regional financing" is nothing but a fancy phrase for "palming our responsibilities off on somebody else," then the idea is unjustifiable. Without policy and support from both the Texas and U.S. Departments of Transportation, this discussion - no matter how well meaning - is just a waste of breath.

Should we "rewrite the gas tax"? Certainly; but, it's doomed to failure if we expect such an endeavour to finance expansion or keep toll properties at bay or even fully underwrite maintenance on existing properties! As our citizens avail themselves of transport alternatives and use more fuel-efficient vehicles when they _do_ drive - ostensibly goals of ANY future-minded transportation plan - we'll be receiving less and less money from gasoline taxes, no matter _how_ the laws may have been rewritten. We've waited FAR too late to take any action on fuel taxes that might actually _solve_ the problems we've created!

Should we "explore new alternatives"? Of course; but, that HAS to become more than a vacuous catch phrase! I might add that such an exploratory thrust has absolutely _nothing_ to do with the "Rail Relocation Fund" as passed by less than 54% of the voters. Let me make this clear: NOT ONE RED CENT SHOULD BE ALLOCATED TOWARD THE FUND UNLESS the law is changed to REQUIRE ANY rights-of-way which become surplus to held for future RAIL-BASED initiatives! NO ROAD BUILDING UPON RAILROAD CORRIDORS! Haven't we dug our hole deeply enough _already_?!

Should we "reform the Texas Department of Transportation"? Beyond question; but, does that mean little more than cleaning house and stepping away from the so-called Trans-Texas Corridor scheme, or does that mean finally developing something besides a renamed state highway department?! The creation of an independent railroad division within TXDOT is an ABSOLUTE MUST! Without that, we're back to wasting our breath.

Please understand that, when it comes to mobility, our dear children are _already_ doomed! We've worked overtime for _years_ to insure that scenario comes to pass.

Furthermore, please understand that Texas' highways need neither love _nor_ money! They simply need to be placed in a proper perspective: a newly defined role as a small part of an overall passenger and freight transportation policy - one which includes, at the forefront, trains of all types.

I do completely agree with one thing Senators Corona and Watson said: "these changes will not be easy"! They are imperative, though, and our ability to work through these challenges will define us as a people for generations to come.

Garl B. Latham
Dallas