By Faith Chatham - June 21, 2007
Todd Staples (the same guy who authored one of the most inclusive Trans Texas Corridor enabling bills, co-authored with McClendon HJR 54 which called for a Constitutional Amendment. It appeared as Proposiiton 1 on the November 8, 2005 ballot.
Ballot Language
"The constitutional amendment creating the Texas rail relocation and improvement fund and authorizing grants of money and issuance of obligations for financing the relocation, rehabilitation, and expansion of rail facilities."
"Enmienda constitucional que establece el fondo tejano para reubicación y mejoramiento de ferrocarriles y que autoriza subvenciones monetarias y la emisión de obligaciones para financiar la reubicación, saneamiento y expansión de instalaciones ferroviarias."
Brief Explanation
HJR 54 would create a Texas rail relocation and improvement fund in the state treasury and would authorize grants of state revenue and issuance of public debt to relocate, rehabilitate, and expand privately and publicly owned passenger and freight rail facilities and to construct railroad underpasses and overpasses.
State Wide election returns on Proposition 1 were:
RACE NAME PARTY CANVASS VOTES PERCENT
Prop. 1 Texas rail facilities funding created
IN FAVOR 1,112,718 53.77%
AGAINST 956,350 46.22%
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Race Total 2,069,068
I can't remember how I voted that year. I probably voted for it. That was before I understood that it was more than just getting freight trains with toxic chemical out of the center of densely urbanized areas. Now I know that it is more about getting the taxpayers to underwrite upgrading private rail infrastructure than it is about getting dangerous chemicals away from our homes. They are relocating them into suburban neighborhoods where they will be risks. It's about improving the bottom line of rail roads.
I wish I could take back my vote. I want a do-over!
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