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Not Radio but DFW Related

B

bluescreen

Guest
Looks like the NCTCOG and TxDOT got their wish. Final approval for tolling 121 from Central on the east to 183 on the west passed tonight when Frisco voted yes. Rumor has it TxDOT basically blackmailed all the municipalities along the 121 corridor by telling them if they voted no on this project their state highway projects would be lowered in priority. Bastards are gonna toll a road that we've already paid a great deal in gas taxes to rebuild. I hope Strayhorn spanks Perry in the primary and if she wins the election tosses that worthless POS Ric Williamson out on his ear.
 
> Looks like the NCTCOG and TxDOT got their wish. Final
> approval for tolling 121 from Central on the east to 183 on
> the west passed tonight when Frisco voted yes. Rumor has it
> TxDOT basically blackmailed all the municipalities along the
> 121 corridor by telling them if they voted no on this
> project their state highway projects would be lowered in
> priority. Bastards are gonna toll a road that we've already
> paid a great deal in gas taxes to rebuild. I hope Strayhorn
> spanks Perry in the primary and if she wins the election
> tosses that worthless POS Ric Williamson out on his ear.

Well, that's what happens to highways when politicians in Austin dip into the transportation fund for other purposes.

After the other cities fell down for TxDOT, I guess it was just inevitable that Frisco would fall too.

And you wonder if this will lead to more toll roads in the area and the state when TxDOT screams -- "NO MONEY".

To make this a radio post, check WBAP for traffic every 6 minutes mornings and KRLD on the "eights".
 
> Well, that's what happens to highways when politicians in
> Austin dip into the transportation fund for other purposes.
>
> After the other cities fell down for TxDOT, I guess it was
> just inevitable that Frisco would fall too.
>
> And you wonder if this will lead to more toll roads in the
> area and the state when TxDOT screams -- "NO MONEY".
>
> To make this a radio post, check WBAP for traffic every 6
> minutes mornings and KRLD on the "eights".

Unfortunately, we have ourselves to blame for giving TxDOT a blank check... or rather, a no-limit credit card. Remember a ballot measure a few years back? It gave TxDOT the ability to borrow against future revenues. Before that, highway building in Texas was pay-as-you-go, and TxDOT begged for sympathy using poor roads in South Texas like Sally Struthers used starving children. The measure passed (despite my "no" vote), and the worst happened -- TxDOT started building like crazy.

Combine that with a Legislative measure (I think) that put TxDOT in bed with the toll authorities, and state misleadership that thinks everyone should have a TollTag implanted in their forehead, and you get the current situation. TxDOT is busy building roads to nowhere (case in point: SH 161 in Grand Prairie, don't *even* get me started), using funds borrowed against dwindling revenues (road tax is per gallon, not per dollar). More and more of that revenue will go toward interest on their new debt. Meanwhile, the toll authorities are dangling dollars over local leaders' heads while threatening to pull the rug out from under them.

Fortunately, some people still remember what happened when the DFW Turnpike was paid off -- it's free now, if you hadn't noticed. Even Kentucky, a notoriously turnpike-happy state, is getting out of the toll business. It took a Federal grant of $25 million to pay off the two turnpikes that cross southern Kentucky -- over 160 miles of tolls removed. You know what NTTA is planning to do with $25 million? "Modernize" their toll plazas.

I can't wait for Governor Strayhorn to come in and kick some butt.

(And I'll try not to reply further in this thread -- my views are on display at the dallasmetropolis.com forums.)<P ID="signature">______________
Talk about real country music at khyi.org
(Not affiliated with any station)</P>
 
Re: CAREFUL

> Looks like the NCTCOG and TxDOT got their wish. Final
> approval for tolling 121 from Central on the east to 183 on
> the west passed tonight when Frisco voted yes. Rumor has it
> TxDOT basically blackmailed all the municipalities along the
> 121 corridor by telling them if they voted no on this
> project their state highway projects would be lowered in
> priority. Bastards are gonna toll a road that we've already
> paid a great deal in gas taxes to rebuild. I hope Strayhorn
> spanks Perry in the primary and if she wins the election
> tosses that worthless POS Ric Williamson out on his ear.
>
Some of those accusations could be constituted as slander or libel...i'd be careful how you phrase things "blackmail" has a very strong conotation...otherwise I agree 100%...why do we have to pay for these roads our tax dollars have already helped build?!!
 
> > Well, that's what happens to highways when politicians in
> > Austin dip into the transportation fund for other
> purposes.
> >
> > After the other cities fell down for TxDOT, I guess it was
>
> > just inevitable that Frisco would fall too.
> >
> > And you wonder if this will lead to more toll roads in the
>
> > area and the state when TxDOT screams -- "NO MONEY".
> >
> > To make this a radio post, check WBAP for traffic every 6
> > minutes mornings and KRLD on the "eights".
>
> Unfortunately, we have ourselves to blame for giving TxDOT a
> blank check... or rather, a no-limit credit card. Remember
> a ballot measure a few years back? It gave TxDOT the
> ability to borrow against future revenues. Before that,
> highway building in Texas was pay-as-you-go, and TxDOT
> begged for sympathy using poor roads in South Texas like
> Sally Struthers used starving children. The measure passed
> (despite my "no" vote), and the worst happened -- TxDOT
> started building like crazy.
>
> Combine that with a Legislative measure (I think) that put
> TxDOT in bed with the toll authorities, and state
> misleadership that thinks everyone should have a TollTag
> implanted in their forehead, and you get the current
> situation. TxDOT is busy building roads to nowhere (case in
> point: SH 161 in Grand Prairie, don't *even* get me
> started), using funds borrowed against dwindling revenues
> (road tax is per gallon, not per dollar). More and more of
> that revenue will go toward interest on their new debt.
> Meanwhile, the toll authorities are dangling dollars over
> local leaders' heads while threatening to pull the rug out
> from under them.
>
> Fortunately, some people still remember what happened when
> the DFW Turnpike was paid off -- it's free now, if you
> hadn't noticed. Even Kentucky, a notoriously turnpike-happy
> state, is getting out of the toll business. It took a
> Federal grant of $25 million to pay off the two turnpikes
> that cross southern Kentucky -- over 160 miles of tolls
> removed. You know what NTTA is planning to do with $25
> million? "Modernize" their toll plazas.
>
> I can't wait for Governor Strayhorn to come in and kick some
> butt.
>
> (And I'll try not to reply further in this thread -- my
> views are on display at the dallasmetropolis.com forums.)
>
Another case in point. That recently signed Federal Hiway Bill,that Bush said was needed? One provison earmarks 2.4 million dollars for a highway bridge to be built from the mainland to an offshore island in Alaska. The problem,there is only ONE HOUSE on that island. The owner said he gets along fine with the once a week ferry. Sen Stevens R-Alaska said the bridge was needed.
Sen McCain R-Arizona voted against the bill. Anothr provison he pointed out was 2.7 million dollars was earmarked for landscaping in California for the Ronald Reagan Parkway leading to the library.
 
Re: CAREFUL

> > Looks like the NCTCOG and TxDOT got their wish. Final
> > approval for tolling 121 from Central on the east to 183
> on
> > the west passed tonight when Frisco voted yes. Rumor has
> it
> > TxDOT basically blackmailed all the municipalities along
> the
> > 121 corridor by telling them if they voted no on this
> > project their state highway projects would be lowered in
> > priority. Bastards are gonna toll a road that we've
> already
> > paid a great deal in gas taxes to rebuild. I hope
> Strayhorn
> > spanks Perry in the primary and if she wins the election
> > tosses that worthless POS Ric Williamson out on his ear.
> >
> Some of those accusations could be constituted as slander or
> libel...i'd be careful how you phrase things "blackmail" has
> a very strong conotation...otherwise I agree 100%...why do
> we have to pay for these roads our tax dollars have already
> helped build?!!
>
That's why I said it was a rumor...i.e. allegedly. There was a quote somewhere attributed to a Frisco councilman that said the very thing I alleged.
 
Re: CAREFUL

> > > Looks like the NCTCOG and TxDOT got their wish. Final
> > > approval for tolling 121 from Central on the east to 183
>
> > on
> > > the west passed tonight when Frisco voted yes. Rumor
> has
> > it
> > > TxDOT basically blackmailed all the municipalities along
>
> > the
> > > 121 corridor by telling them if they voted no on this
> > > project their state highway projects would be lowered in
>
> > > priority. Bastards are gonna toll a road that we've
> > already
> > > paid a great deal in gas taxes to rebuild. I hope
> > Strayhorn
> > > spanks Perry in the primary and if she wins the election
>
> > > tosses that worthless POS Ric Williamson out on his ear.
>
> > >
> > Some of those accusations could be constituted as slander
> or
> > libel...i'd be careful how you phrase things "blackmail"
> has
> > a very strong conotation...otherwise I agree 100%...why
> do
> > we have to pay for these roads our tax dollars have
> already
> > helped build?!!
> >
> That's why I said it was a rumor...i.e. allegedly. There
> was a quote somewhere attributed to a Frisco councilman that
> said the very thing I alleged.

Two things:

Allegedly by itself will NOT mitigate libel.

And quoting a libelous statement does not get a reporter off the hook.

Only quotes in a court session are protected speech.

But no one could claim anything because you never name an individual TxDOT employee who might have done such a thing. You simply mentioned the agency. I would have used a different word ... maybe arm twisting or something.

But this is minor on the libel scale.
 
Re: CAREFUL

> > Rumor has it TxDOT basically blackmailed all the municipalities
> > along the 121 corridor by telling them if they voted no on this
> > project their state highway projects would be lowered in
> > priority.
>
> But no one could claim anything because you never name an
> individual TxDOT employee who might have done such a thing.
> You simply mentioned the agency. I would have used a
> different word ... maybe arm twisting or something.

From what I've heard, the entire debate in Denton and Collin Counties has been pretty simple: tollway = more other roads, freeway = no more roads. You can call it arm-twisting, you can even call it cause and effect.

But I don't think "blackmail" is too strong a word. I think it fits this definition (from Google's "Definition" link) perfectly: "to exert pressure on someone through threats." The threat, in this case, is that other roads won't get built. The use of the word "blackmail" in this context doesn't imply that TxDOT and NTTA are behaving illegally... just unethically.<P ID="signature">______________
Talk about real country music at khyi.org
(Not affiliated with any station)</P>
 
> > > Well, that's what happens to highways when politicians
> in
> > > Austin dip into the transportation fund for other
> > purposes.
> > >
> > > After the other cities fell down for TxDOT, I guess it
> was
> >
> > > just inevitable that Frisco would fall too.
> > >
> > > And you wonder if this will lead to more toll roads in
> the
> >
> > > area and the state when TxDOT screams -- "NO MONEY".
> > >
> > > To make this a radio post, check WBAP for traffic every
> 6
> > > minutes mornings and KRLD on the "eights".
> >
> > Unfortunately, we have ourselves to blame for giving TxDOT
> a
> > blank check... or rather, a no-limit credit card.
> Remember
> > a ballot measure a few years back? It gave TxDOT the
> > ability to borrow against future revenues. Before that,
> > highway building in Texas was pay-as-you-go, and TxDOT
> > begged for sympathy using poor roads in South Texas like
> > Sally Struthers used starving children. The measure
> passed
> > (despite my "no" vote), and the worst happened -- TxDOT
> > started building like crazy.
> >
> > Combine that with a Legislative measure (I think) that put
>
> > TxDOT in bed with the toll authorities, and state
> > misleadership that thinks everyone should have a TollTag
> > implanted in their forehead, and you get the current
> > situation. TxDOT is busy building roads to nowhere (case
> in
> > point: SH 161 in Grand Prairie, don't *even* get me
> > started), using funds borrowed against dwindling revenues
> > (road tax is per gallon, not per dollar). More and more
> of
> > that revenue will go toward interest on their new debt.
> > Meanwhile, the toll authorities are dangling dollars over
> > local leaders' heads while threatening to pull the rug out
>
> > from under them.
> >
> > Fortunately, some people still remember what happened when
>
> > the DFW Turnpike was paid off -- it's free now, if you
> > hadn't noticed. Even Kentucky, a notoriously
> turnpike-happy
> > state, is getting out of the toll business. It took a
> > Federal grant of $25 million to pay off the two turnpikes
> > that cross southern Kentucky -- over 160 miles of tolls
> > removed. You know what NTTA is planning to do with $25
> > million? "Modernize" their toll plazas.
> >
> > I can't wait for Governor Strayhorn to come in and kick
> some
> > butt.
> >
> > (And I'll try not to reply further in this thread -- my
> > views are on display at the dallasmetropolis.com forums.)
> >
> Another case in point. That recently signed Federal Hiway
> Bill,that Bush said was needed? One provison earmarks 2.4
> million dollars for a highway bridge to be built from the
> mainland to an offshore island in Alaska. The problem,there
> is only ONE HOUSE on that island. The owner said he gets
> along fine with the once a week ferry. Sen Stevens R-Alaska
> said the bridge was needed.
> Sen McCain R-Arizona voted against the bill. Anothr provison
> he pointed out was 2.7 million dollars was earmarked for
> landscaping in California for the Ronald Reagan Parkway
> leading to the library.

porkbill politics ... both with a capital P
>
 
Anothr provison
> he pointed out was 2.7 million dollars was earmarked for
> landscaping in California for the Ronald Reagan Parkway
> leading to the library.

When I was out in the Simi Valley last, it sure needed it. It's probably all homes by now on the once-barren sand out there.

Our tollroads used to be on a 16-year payoff. When the Dallas North Tollway hit 16 in 1984, planners immediately went to work on the section north of LBJ. Later, they didn't even wait; they tied up funds on an extension from Frankford in 1993-94. Word now is that this will not stop until they reach Sherman. I guess if it means justifying the toll collections, they'll keep extending it to Canada before they take the tolls away.

Ever notice that when prices go up, consumers are the first to bear the expense. When prices go down, or tax collections create a surplus, or insurance companies have a low payout year, or if some public project has a cost-UNDERrun (yeah, right), consumers get no break. The explanation always is, "well, we WERE going to go up on (whatever), but we kept last year's costs the same for this year instead." Yeah, THERE'S our break.

Solution? No more soft money. No more political donations. No more favors. No more lobbyists. Term limits, Supreme Court included. Hold responsible and accountable the government we elect. One person, one recorded and verifiable vote. No more secrets, no more spins, no more hidden agendas. A day's pay for a day's work. No more immigrants and no more wars until we get OUR business at home handled and resolved, with surplus in hand. Return of the Fairness Doctrine. Repeal the Telecom Act of 1996, while you're at it.
 
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