South Texas Republicans EXCLUSIVE: 

Toll Roads: One of many options to keep San Antonio, and Texas, moving
by Texas Transportation Commissioner Hope Andrade (8/8/05)

The appropriateness of the use of toll roads may be best answered by the question, What happens if we do nothing?  For San Antonio, the answer is that congestion will worsen, causing motorists to spend more time sitting in traffic and businesses to lose interest in San Antonio. Because adding toll lanes can reduce congestion and keep San Antonio moving, it is worth the investment.

Clearly, our transportation demand outstrips existing resources. The unfortunate fact is that the gasoline that we buy doesnt begin to generate enough money to keep up with the costs and demands for new roads. We spend $5.5 billion each year statewide on building new roads and maintaining state highways. In spite of these efforts, the San Antonio Metropolitan Planning Organization estimates that our communitys unmet transportation needs total around $8 billion over the next 25 years.  Furthermore, the eight metropolitan areas across the state estimate their combined need to be $68 billion over the same period. 

Allow me to put our efforts to address transportation infrastructure needs solely with the gas tax into a historical perspective. During the period from 1980 to 2003, the number of vehicles in Texas increased by 61%, and the number of people increased by 57%. During this same period of time, only 7.6% additional lanes of highway were added, using the old pay as you go system, i.e. gas tax revenue. Moreover, there is currently a $100 million funding gap between the cost of maintaining our states existing roadways and the transportation revenue generated by the current 20 cent per gallon state gas tax, without even taking any new construction into consideration.

Raising the gas tax alone would not provide a sufficient source of income to address the mobility needs resulting from the rapid growth of our community, and Texas at large, is experiencing. Presently, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) can only provide for roughly one out of every three identified needed transportation projects across the state.  Gas taxes would have to increase by as much as $1 per gallon to meet these existing identified needs alone.

When we factor in increasing fuel economy and the rising demand for hybrid-powered vehicles, along with other technologies, the gasoline tax may be rendered obsolete as a dependable source of future income for transportation infrastructure. Simply put, the gas tax is no longer a reliable source of revenue. Realistically, the revenue from one source alone will not cover the cost of needed maintenance and construction for our transportation infrastructure.

How, then, can we provide for these needs?

The solution may be found in using a combination of resources. Toll lanes are one such tool, as they help put needed improvements on the fast track.  By borrowing money to build toll lanes  and paying back the money from fees that drivers pay to use them  TxDOT or the Alamo Regional Mobility Authority can build the local roads we need now, rather than waiting as long as 20 years (or more) to complete necessary projects.

For example, in San Antonio, motorists have been battling with traffic congestion on U.S. 281 for years. It is true that some highway funding has been identified to address this project, but it is only for a three-mile stretch.  Using this funding as seed money allows us to leverage our resources and provide motorists more than 22 miles of new roads within a few years rather than waiting 20 years, or possibly more, for the improvements to be completed. Some of the improvements would include additional ramps at the U.S. 281/Loop 1604 interchange.

These efforts allow us to build a system of new roads rather than building one segment at a time, as we are doing on Loop 410. Loop 410 has been under construction for the past 10 years and has at least 4 more years remaining. A piecemeal approach, like Loop 410, is frustrating to motorists and unattractive to businesses that rely on moving goods on time, every time.

Motorists will have the option to drive on the new, tolled express lanes of U.S. 281 or the parallel non-tolled lanes. Right now, motorists are typically driving at speeds of 25 mph or less during rush hour on U.S. 281 between Sonterra and Stone Oak.  Adding express toll lanes saves motorists time.  They can get by easier and quicker because they will have more options.  The additional options that tolled express lanes provide result in fewer drivers on the non-tolled lanes as well, thus benefiting all lanes of traffic flow.

For San Antonio, one of the largest metropolitan cities in Texas, providing road improvements through methods used in the past is no longer a viable option.  Transportation has a domino effect on the way we live our lives and the way we do business. If we dont become creative and innovative in our approach, our entire community will pay the price for congestion via missed economic opportunities, continued delays and a diminished quality of life.  Funding improvements one piece at a time will keep San Antonians stuck in traffic, waiting years for much needed improvements. On the other hand, creating a toll system as one option for increased mobility in our community will keep San Antonio moving and will be attractive to new businesses and opportunities looking at our region.

In closing, toll roads provide a choice for those who are no longer willing to sit by idly in traffic while we as a region wait for meaningful improvements to address the congestion crisis we are facing. Its a choice- one that I will gladly choose as soon as it is available in our community.

Comment by South Texas Republicans:

We would like to thank Commissioner Hope Andrade for providing our readers with this valuable information.
 

Donation Log For Judge Torres-Stahl

Judge Torres-Stahl raised $13,428.76 in the period covering May 23 through June 30.  We were impressed that she only spent $1,015.37 in that same period.   South Texas Republicans was mortified to discover that Judge Luitjen has a whopping $207.13 in the bank right now. (Now you know why the Democrats smell blood.)

Wake up call to all Republicans:  Judge Mark Luitjen might be soliciting money soon. We strongly suggest that you whip out your checkbooks and help Judge Luitjen when he calls.  (Remember- $207.13 vs. $10,976.68.)  In 2002, we lost Republican candidate Jeff Mulliner to Tessa Herr (D).  We never should have lost that 186th District bench. 

at a special reception with Special Presenter, Texas Railroad Commissioner Elizabeth Ames Jones on Thursday, July 28, 2005 at the Grey Moss Inn

South Texas Republicans' Joe Solis, Republican Business Women's President Sandy Galvan, Joci Straus, State Representative Joe Straus III

Laura Bush Service and Education Award Logo Courtesy of
Robert Sanchez- www.sanchezforcongress.com .
 

Good Luck And Let Us Know How We Can Help--South Texas Republicans
 

JUSTICE PHYLIS J. SPEEDLIN

Justice on the Fourth Court of Appeals

Cordially invites you to attend a reception

To support her re-election

Thursday, September 15, 2005
 

5:30p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Paesanos Restaurant

555 E. Basse Rd.

San Antonio, Texas 78209
 

Sponsor $1000  

Host $500 

        Advocate $250   

   Friend $100

 Guest $50


Business Attire

Judge Phylis Speedlin's Campaign: 8 Waldenshire, San Antonio, Texas 78209

Commentary by South Texas Republicans: Justice Speedlin must be commended for her excellent community service work over the past few years. Her leadership in connection to the Community Justice Center hosted by the San Antonio Bar Association is admirable. We are proud of Justice Speedlin because is she is civic-minded, intelligent and a wonderful servant on the 4th Court of Appeals.  

We must help her get re-elected in this very large district that covers 32 counties
 

We find it astonishing that our legislature can quickly fix the $10 billion deficit 2 years ago, but cannot find a way to lead the state in funding pay raises for our teachers and textbooks for our children. Nor are they seemingly capable of lowering our property taxes and closing the loopholes in an immensely bloated tax code to ensure that corporations pay their fair share of the tax burden.

We must stand up and be counted...and make them accountable! Everyone of us should be calling and e-mailing our state senators and representatives as often as possible until they do the job WE the people elected them to do.

Those of you in the Austin area have a unique opportunity, you can make appointments with your reps and senators in their office.
 

We are pleased to announce that Texas Supreme Court Justice Phil Johnson will be joining us for a Special Presentation and Petition Signing Party in Bexar County. 

(Please bring your voter registration card. We encourage South Texas Judges to attend with their petitions by 6:00pm. There is limited space.)

Judge Joe Brown, 57th District Court, will introduce Justice Johnson. 

Special Guest:  Grace G. Kunde, Candidate for the 4th Court of Appeals

Date:  August 31, 2005 (Wednesday)

Networking Reception:  6:30pm  7:00pm

Program:  7:00pm- 8:00pm

Cost:  FREE

Location:  Newforest Estates, A Wellstone Retirement Community, 5034 Newforest Drive, San Antonio, Texas 78229, Phone: 210-680-3649

Click here for a MAP

175 residents of the Newforest Estates Community will be invited to this function. 

Sponsorship Levels:  Gold- $100, Silver $50, Bronze $25.  Please contact Schuylar Crist if you would like to be a sponsor of the program.

In the past four years, South Texas Republicans and Alamo City Republican Women have been honored to host the following Texas Supreme Court Justices at our events:

Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson, Justice Dale Wainright, Justice Scott Brister, Justice Paul Green and Justice David Medina.

Where: Omni Hotel, San Antonio, 9821 Colonnade Blvd at IH-10 West

When: Doors open at 5:30pm

Cost: Single- $30, Couple- $50, Freedom Table Sponsor Table- $1150 & Heritage Sponsor Table- $350

Contact Information: www.alamofriendsofnra.org or 210-737-2358/210-364-8502

Limited Seating- No tickets sold at the door. Proceeds support youth education, training, range development, and conservation efforts in our community.
 

South Texas Republicans is pleased to announce that the first meeting of The Helotes Republicans will be held at the Hickory Hut of Helotes.  The Lee family has owned this small business since 1965. The building was the Old General Store built in 1879 and it currently serves as the home of the Helotes Historical Society. We would like to thank Geri Lee for graciously offering to host our meetings.

Please contact us if you are interested in becoming a member of the Founders Council. We plan to have our first meeting in late September.  We would like to thank our wonderful supporters for helping us underwrite this new effort in the Hill County.

Please contact Schuylar Crist skyskyrider@hotmail.com if you are interested in participating in the new Helotes Republicans organization.

Help us spread the word to your friends and family members in Helotes.

Well folks, it's time to remove all doubt about the legitimacy of TxDOT's  toll plan in San Antonio. It's not only a gross misuse of taxpayer funds and the double taxation of an existing highway, but it's also blatantly AGAINST  THE LAW!

See for yourself from the actual text of HB 3588, the transportation bill passed by our Legislature and signed by the Governor in 2003 that created this nightmare:

The commission may convey a no toll state highway or a segment of a no toll state highway, including real property acquired to construct or operate the highway, to a county for operation and maintenance as a project under this chapter if: (1)  the proposed conveyance is approved by the commissioners court of each county within which the highway is located. Bexar County Commissioners Court gave TxDOT two conditions when they agreed to open a tolling authority (called RMA): 1) No tolling existing highways and 2) No tolling projects under construction or already in the pipeline. Yet this is precisely what TxDOT is doing! They do not have the blessing of the Commissioners Court to toll ALL of US 281 because it is an existing highway paid for with tax dollars!

Another violation:

Tolls may not be collected by an authority from a conveyed segment of highway except to finance the expansion, extension, operation, and maintenance of that highway segment.

Julie Brown of TxDOT stated on local television to a WOAI troubleshooter reporter that US 281 improvements are already FUNDED with taxpayer money and the only reason it's being tolled is to fund OTHER TOLL LANES ON 1604! Proof positive that the toll revenues are not going to fund US 281 directly as required by LAW! Sorry, TxDOT, we're not buying your "this is a toll system not a piecemeal approach" excuse for this. This is inexcusable and the taxpayers aren't going to stand for it!

View the statute at:

http://www.corridorwatch.org/ttc/cw-hb3588-text-07.htm

To express your outrage to your elected officials, go to the Texas Toll Party web site and send an email to all of our San Antonio representatives, over 200 legislators, and the Governor in just one click!

http://www.TexasTollParty.com

Contact Attorney General Greg Abbott greg.abbott@oag.state.tx.us or call (800) 621-0508 to ask him to step-in on behalf of the taxpayers to enforce the laws protecting us from highway robbery!
 

Location: Sonterra County Club, 901 Sonterra Blvd, San Antonio, Texas

Cost:  $45

Assorted Table Sponsorships are available

Contact: Teddy Peterson, President, Bexar County Republican Women, 210-558-8585

South Texas Republicans would like to congratulate the Ladies of BCRW for 85 years of activism and party support in Bexar County!!!
 

"...first of all, that decision should be made [by] local school districts, but I felt like both sides ought to be properly taught."

"I think that part of education is to expose people to different schools of thought," Bush said. "You're asking me whether or not people ought to be exposed to different ideas, the answer is yes."

Of interesting note, is that the Austin-American Statesman, Houston Chronicle AND the San Antonio Express-News were at this roundtable, yet NONE of these three reported on this statement for two full days after the event.

Perhaps they were in too much shock that the President would be strong in his convictions and say what he did. Or perhaps their liberal colors were just shining through.
 

Program Title:  "Funding Your Race: Three Components to Success"

Date: Thursday, August 18th

Time: Networking Reception and Dinner (on your own):  6:15pm-7:00pm
Program:  7:00pm  8:15pm

Location:  Grady's BBQ; 4109 Fredericksburg Road

Rough Riders of Bexar County Logo Courtesy of Robert Sanchez-www.sanchezforcongress.com
 

Northwest Republicans 8/23/05 Meeting to Feature Rep. Frank Corte, Texas House District 122 (Bexar County)

The location of the meeting is:

Sea Island Restaurant
11715 Bandera Rd at Bandera Point (Rt. 1604 and Rt. 16)
San Antonio, TX 78015

The meeting time is as follows:

The second meeting of the Stone Oak Republicans will take place on August 25th. South Texas Republicans salutes the Leadership Council for their great work in the past month. We believe this organization has tremendous potential in Bexar County. 

Date: Thursday - August 25th

Time:  7:00 p.m. - 8:00p.m. (Those who want dinner are encouraged to arrive early)

Location: The Lighthouse Cafe - 18730 Stone Oak Pkwy

Cost: FREE

Leadership Council Members:  DR McCale, Mike Provost, Liz Rudd, Bryan Scott and Ralph Welsh.

Please contact Liz Rudd (blrudd@earthlink.net) if you are interested in learning more about the Stone Oak Republicans.
 

Keynote speaker: Tim Lambert, of the Texas Home Schoolers Coalition of Texas (http://www.thsc.org/)

Program title: Home schooling in Texas: A Legislative Perspective

Date: Thursday, September 22nd

Time: Networking Reception and Dinner (on your own):  6:15pm-7:00pm
Program:  7:00pm  8:15pm

Location:  Grady's BBQ; 4109 Fredericksburg Road

Sponsorships will be available

The Texas Home School Coalition is dedicated to serving the home-school
community of Texas and promoting a greater knowledge, understanding and
acceptance of home education in our state.

The Texas Home School Coalition was established as a political action committee (PAC) in 1986 by Kirk McCord of Hearth and Home Ministries and the late Brad Chamberlain. Because of the numerous law suits against home schoolers across the state and harmful legislation being introduced in Austin, they saw a need for a state-wide political organization to work for the rights of home schoolers in the state of Texas. The founders, believing government restriction could not be justified academically or socially, formed the THSC PAC to oppose any regulation of home education in Texas.

In 1995, THSC incorporated as an educational non-profit organization because most of THSC's work is dealing with disseminating information to the public and to home educators. Its mission is to serve and inform the home school community and promote home education in Texas. THSC, maintaining that participation in the political arena is vital to maintaining their freedoms, continues to encourage home educators to be active in the political process.

In February of 1998, HOPE for Texas merged with the Texas Home School Coalition. At this point, THSC also became responsible for helping new home schoolers across the state as well as maintaining a network of information and communication between and among the leadership of regional home school organizations, local support groups, and individual home schooling families.

In 2000, the Texas Home School Coalition Association incorporated as a 501 (c)(4) advocacy organization for Texas home school families. Its mission is to serve and protect home school families in Texas.
 

The following clubs will be holding important events and South Texas Republicans encourages participation by local activists:

Alamo Pachyderms

Date: August 9th

Location: Water Street Oyster Bar and Restaurant; 7500 Broadway, in
San Antonio

Do you have event information?
You can reach Schuylar either by phone at (210) 663-6093 or via e-mail: skyskyrider@hotmail.com

Click here to view the calendar for details on these and other events