WORK DO DO
As we gear up for another session of the Utah Legislature, there is plenty of work to do. The article below, originally posted in the East Texas Review Newspaper, shows us what CAN happen if we don't keep working for proper highway funding. We need your support. Please check back for updates as the session approaches.
TxDOT spends $9m. on PR
by Christine DeLoma
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) wants you to know that there’s no new money available to pay for non-tolled road construction. That’s why it is spending up to $9 million on a new ad campaign promoting toll roads and the unpopular Trans-Texas Corridor.
While critics call the TV, radio and web advertising campaign a waste of taxpayer dollars, the agency argues it has no other choice but to tell its side of the story.
“I think the money would be better spent in engaging people in a meaningful dialogue as opposed to propping up a flawed project that flowed from a flawed process,” Stall said.
The public relations campaign, called Keep Texas Moving, was launched in June and is expected to cost between $7 million and $9 million. It is aimed at addressing top concerns regarding the Trans-Texas Corridor and toll roads in Texas – both of which have come under criticism in mostly rural areas.
Several 30-second radio ads feature the voice of Transportation commissioner Fred Underwood. One spot called “Fair Treatment” describes what is characterized as TxDOT’s tradition of working with landowners to negotiate right-of-way purchases that are fair and equitable.
Another ad, called “Trans-Texas Corridor,” tries to assuage rural concerns that the Corridor could divide counties. The ad says TxDOT will work with county officials and landowners to provide crossovers and local road connectors.
The ads tread on touchy subjects for rural folks who believe their voices have not been heard in past. To Stall, the public relations campaign is about trying “to justify the ends that they have already concluded.”
In addition to the corridor, TxDOT’s PR campaign is pushing toll roads. “We have to use the tools the Legislature has provided us,” Lippincott said. “They provided some guidance in terms of how we should engage the private sector, but the reality is, as long as TxDOT is authorized to construct toll roads, we have little choice but to pursue that option when and where it is appropriate.
WHAT’S GOING ON WITH MOUNTAIN VIEW?
Good things are happening on the Hill. There are several of our representatives who are making good faith efforts to meet our transportation needs.
- Rep. Wayne Harper: Rep. Harper has a bill that would first reduce the fuel tax, then add sales tax. Right now it is “revenue neutral,” but in time would result in additional funds.
USET supports this bill, but we feel it does not go far enough. It is a step in the right direction.
- Rep. Becky Lockhart: Her bill last year took a portion of sales tax from vehicle and vehicle parts purchases and dedicated it to roads. This year she is seeking to complete the job.
USET supports this bill.
- Sen. Sheldon Kilpack: Senator Kilpack has a bill that would seek to head off environmentalist challenges to the south end of Mountain View Corridor. Details later.
There are discussions on other options. The Governor has proposed about $650 million in highway funds – “one-time” money from the surplus. We support that direction.
Look, we hate taxes as much as the next person. But we are in a crisis that has only just begun. Roads and highways are vital to our economy and way of life. Looking ahead to try to match growth is good public policy. E-mail your representative and senator to tell them you support these and other moves. We need imagination, cooperation, leadership, and shared sacrifice.
Mountain View is not the only issue. If we take bold steps, the entire state will benefit.
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Roads and transportation are important to Utahns. It's too important of an issue to let it simply slide by. It affects us every day, whenever we leave our homes. Take a look at our television ads. Thee first add will automatically load below. Or, you can download and view them separatel with these links:
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