Elevated train

[Dopo]

Originally Posted by LocalPlanner

Was the authority to levy tolls restricted exclusively to debt service on the bonds? Was there some sort of legislation or regulation to prevent tolls from being used for operations and maintenance?

And what about all the other non-HCTRA toll roads? Are you saying those are unfair too?

Even worse,
they use them for other projects ..... ridiculous

[PedroMartinez]

Originally Posted by fnh

Good grief people. Everyone single one of us "uses" the roads even if we never drive on them. How do you think the economy runs otherwise? Commerce absolutely depends on the reliable movement of goods and services.

Perhaps when every single item needed to build your home and feed and clothe your family is drop delivered onsite by drone, then you need no longer use the roads. (Then god forbid you ever need an ambulance.)

Are the trucks carrying those items running on fairy dust?

Last time I saw a truck delivering preoducts, it had a couple of fuel tanks on it. I'm guessing they paid taxes when they filled up those tanks. Are you saying they aren't paying fuel taxes?

[Dopo]

Originally Posted by PedroMartinez

Are the trucks carrying those items running on fairy dust?

Last time I saw a truck delivering preoducts, it had a couple of fuel tanks on it. I'm guessing they paid taxes when they filled up those tanks. Are you saying they aren't paying fuel taxes?

Agree,
But keep in mind that the republican controlled government of Texas has refused to raise gas taxes since 1993
Creating the BS argument that "We need toll roads because there's no money for roads"

[oceangaia]

Originally Posted by LocalPlanner

Was the authority to levy tolls restricted exclusively to debt service on the bonds? Was there some sort of legislation or regulation to prevent tolls from being used for operations and maintenance?

Was it expressly granted to include other roads and maintenance?

You can play semantical games if you want, and I even said the lawyers might be able to parse the legalese and twist it into something else, but you know darn well that's not how they sold the bill of goods. I gave you a link showing the campaign literature when they were seeking approval of HCTRA promised the tolls would end when the roads were paid off and would revert to TxDot.

And while it certainly wouldn't be the first time a campaign promise was broken or a small singular-purpose agency morphed into a monstrosity, that doesn't justify it.

[PedroMartinez]

Originally Posted by Dopo

Agree,
But keep in mind that the republican controlled government of Texas has refused to raise gas taxes since 1993
Creating the BS argument that "We need toll roads because there's no money for roads"

Actually, that is a major complaint of our Lt Governor. He says it needs to be changed so that gas taxes pay for our roads and it will necessitate a substantial increase.