Travis County decides to pony up $15 million for SH 45
Every time taxpayer money goes into building toll roads it’s a DOUBLE TAX scam.
Travis County decides to pony up $15 million for SH 45
By Kate Weidaw
KVUE.com
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
MANCHACA, Texas (KXAN) – Travis County Commissioners voted Tuesday to approve spending roughly $15 million on the proposed road that would connect FM 1626 to MoPac at State Highway 45 and give drivers another option to avoid Interstate 35 traffic off Brodie Lane.
The commissioners approved the plan with a 4-1 vote.
This would be a joint venture between Travis County, the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority, and Hays County — with Hays County pitching $5 million for the project. Capital Area Metro Planning Organization and TxDOT will fund $32 million and CTRMA will cover the rest of the balance at $48 million.
Commissioner Ron Davis was the lone nay vote.
Environmentalists worry the road could endanger wildlife along the route. The Save Our Springs Alliance asked the court to postpone voting until environmental studies are complete.
The group filed a complaint Monday, March 17 against Commissioner Gerald Daugherty for violating the Texas Public Information Act. They claim Daugherty deleted emails and text messages about the road project that should be made available to the public.
Critics of the project say the proposed road will only make MoPac more congested than it already is, especially during rush hour.
Supporters believe it will make a significant impact for the local neighborhoods that are seeing an increase in traffic.
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County commissioner accused of destroying records
KVUE.com
March 18, 2014
TRAVIS COUNTY -- Travis County Commissioner Gerald Daugherty is being accused of withholding and destroying public records.
The Save Our Springs Alliance filed a criminal complaint with the county attorney on Monday, claiming Daugherty failed to respond to public information requests.
The complaint also claims the commissioner deleted texts and emails relating to county business, held committee meetings without public notice and did not take minutes of those meetings, in violation of the Texas Public Information Act. The group says it does not know what those messages may contain.
At a commissioner's court meeting on Tuesday, Daugherty said he is confident he followed the rules.
"I know what I've done and what I haven't done," Daugherty said. "There's again another red herring if they think that there is something criminal about it. Let's see if a judge finds that."
The Save Our Springs Alliance is trying to stop a proposed extension of State Highway 45 from MoPac Expressway to FM 1626 in Southwest Austin.
Daugherty says it's been 17 years since voters approved the highway extension project and it's time to move forward.
SOS members fear it will cause irreparable harm to the Edwards Aquifer.