Austin Traffic

After reading an article in the Austin American Statesman written by Ben Wear on November 26, 2007 called CAMPO wrestling rail planning from Cap Metro I believe that we should do something about our traffic problems other than the toll roads. A fourteen member work group (Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization or CAMPO) has been assembled to determine the next step for central Texas rail. Although this sounds promising it is doubtful anything will happen in our near future. Untangling all this in time for a 2008 election, however, could be a stretch. Doing it right, not fast, is what matters, McCracken said. It is detrimental that we have already wasted twenty-two years on planning and still can not seem to come up with a realistic plan nor enough money to fund a rail system. There is even talk of us not being able to repair or expand current roads to meet current traffic needs and that more money is needed from the legislation. There are many reasons for the rail to not be built. I believe the crime rate in Austin will increase if an underground rail system is implemented, but an external one would be difficult because of the already over crowded space. The main reason for the delays seems to be money. The Capital Metro says they do not have the funding for rail projects and just last year a proposal for a $210 million was declined when presented by our current Mayor Wynn (who will lead the CAMPO). I really believe our legislature should either fund the project or deny it. It would be more logical to spend our money on something more productive like building more roads instead of wasting our money on a committee that leads to nowhere, while allowing foreign countries to come in and use our needed labor to build toll roads resulting in a private gain.

Positive Proposition 15

Proposition 15 was one of the most debated propositions and is discussed on October 31, 2007 by one of my classmates on her Fattutu website. She gives us an idea of what the money is going to be used for when she states “The plan is to establish the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas.” She describes simply what an opportunity proposition 15 is and supports her arguments by stating it may save lives and how it will affect us not only on a state, but a national level. I was not aware of the proposition or what it could do until I read the article. It provided me with the information, data and a positive opinion necessary for making a logical decision. I do not understand what she meant by ($10,000 a month for rent). She may have meant the price it costs to pay for rent of the governor’s mansion or something, but it is not very specific in this area. I know I do not pay that much a month for rent. She also states that there was “no indication that there would be a proposed tax increase, now or in the future.” This indicates that the new bond proposal may not raise our taxes. Although this is possible it is not probable because the 3 Billion has to come from somewhere (either by reducing other funding or new taxes) and it is definitely not a small amount of money. Not that I would not want to raise my taxes to pay for cancer research it is a worthy and justified cause considering most people die from cancer. Overall her paper was effective, informative, and well written.