One less dumb idea for me to worry about.
Rejecting the temptation of a multibillion windfall, Harris County Commissioners Court voted unanimously today to continue running the county's lucrative toll road system rather than selling or leasing it to a private entity."Now we can erect a sign on the toll roads: 'Not for sale, not for lease,'" said Commissioner Steve Radack, who had never been enthusiastic about the idea, even as the county conducted studies of the leasing and selling options.
The action means the system, which comprises the Hardy, Sam Houston and Westpark toll roads, will continue to be operated by the Harris County Toll Road Authority.
No, they didn't spend too much money studying this lemon. They spent enough money to learn that they can collect even more revenue by raising fares with impunity from the State - especially if they can abolish other local elected positions like the County Treasurer - who would be (have been) in the position to report the unretouched revenue stream. Commissioners Court's crosshair will then set on Bettencourt's job and his silly little issue with skyrocketing taxes - after all, fares are taxes.
Posted by: Charles Hixon on June 21, 2006 10:48 AM