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On The Trans-Texas Corridor
Contrary to the Governor's claims, Texans have never voted on the Trans-Texas
Corridor. The TTC-69 could result in the taking of over 8,000 acres of private
land. Let the people vote on it, and we'll vote it down!
On The Widening Highway 146
TxDOT said there was no money for any such project to widen Hwy. 146, until John
Otto drew an opponent. Then, miraculously TxDOT found the money. So, my
campaign has already won something for the district and I haven't even gotten
elected yet!
On The Proliferation Of Toll Roads
I do not support the Governor and TxDOT's plans to convert freeways to
privatized toll roads. My opponent voted for toll proliferation.
On Political Reform in Texas
Arlan favors giving Texans
the right to statewide initiative and referendum, just as citizens in 24 states
have had for nearly a century. I&R gives the people the right to petition
for a vote of the people on legislation.
On Securing Our Borders
He supports protecting our borders against those who would violate our sovereignty, including terrorists and drug cartels.
On Your Gun Rights
As an avid sportsman, Arlan Foster will protect the citizens’ right to own and legally carry firearms.
On Texas Education
“I know that adequately funding our kids’ education is paramount,” Arlan says. “Texas schools are improving, but we have a long way to go.”
On Texas Prisons
Texas is #1 in state prisoner
population (171,790!), #1 in staff turn-over; (the state must recruit and train
600 to 700 new officers a month!) and reports a 22% attrition rate. At the same
time, Texas is
47th in pay starting at about $23,000 a year and topping out at a little over
$34,000 after 8 years service, putting our lives on the line in increasingly
dangerous crowded
conditions. This is one
of the best kept secrets of the current
administration.
A Decorated Millitary Veteran
Arlan joined the U.S. Navy in February 1972 and served four years, including three tours in Viet Nam with the U.S. amphibious forces. He received the Viet Nam Cross of Gallantry.
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Arlan on the Trans-Texas Corridor: |
E-mail
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The people I'm seeking to represent -- everyone in
District 18, regardless of their party affiliation -- are universally opposed to
Gov. Rick Perry's plans to put the massive 4,000 mile, 1,200 foot wide toll road
network and utility corridor, otherwise known as the Trans-Texas
Corridor through our state.What is it?
Plainly stated, a trade corridor that would
cut through the heart of Texas simply to allow more goods (primarily Chinese) to
be imported in to the US through Mexican ports. If implemented, the project will demand the seizure of 8,000 acres of
private owned property, just in District 18!
The Governor and his insider
political friends in Austin and Washington, have cynically manipulated our
political process to literally run over rural Texas and its people, many of whom
are just hearing about this massive project.
I made it a point to attend the federal NEPA (National Environmental
Policy Act) hearings held throughout February 2008, in District 18 and others in
nearby communities. I did not see the incumbent (Rep. John Otto), nor any of his
staff attend. Other state reps, senators and even Congressional staff attended.
What does that say about John Otto's position on the TTC?
I support the call for a federal investigation on the push
for the TTC and I will support and sponsor any real reform legislation in the
upcoming 2009 legislative session. I will even sign articles of impeachment on
Rick Perry, for I believe the Governor has made himself vulnerable to
impeachment proceedings by his unethical and possibly illegal maneuvers around
the vast majority of Texans who do not want this project.
Please support the call of Independent Texans for a federal
investigation into the push for the Corridor. The information below is also posted on the
Independent Texans' web site under "Stop the Corridor/Tolls". I suggest you
print out the letter towards the bottom of this page, and send it to your US
Representative first. Then send it to US Senators John Cornyn (who is currently
up for reelection) and Kay Bailey Hutchison, who is rumored to be running for
Governor in 2010. You can do that via email or by regular mail, or both. The
letter explains why a Congressional
investigation is so needed:
Click Here: Find Your US Rep.
You may send the letter below now
to:
US Senator John Cornyn
through his web site at:
http://cornyn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.ContactForm
US Senator Kay Bailey
Hutchison through her web site at:
http://www.senate.gov/~hutchison/contact.html
To Find all the Congressional Web sites -- after
you've found who your Congressman is, go here:
http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW.shtml
Dear Senator (or Congressman)
_______________________:
I ask for your assistance in calling for a Congressional
investigation regarding
the actions of Gov. Rick Perry and the Texas
Transportation Commission to push for
the Trans-Texas Corridor in the face of
massive opposition from ordinary Texans.
I believe the following points
deserve further inquiry:
1. The Governor's claim that Texans voted for the Trans-Texas
Corridor, when it
was never placed on the ballot, nor that there were ever
meaningful public
hearings asking Texans whether we wanted the
Corridor.
2. A
deceptive lobbying effort leading to the passage of a transportation
omnibus
bill (HB 3588) in 2003, implementing the
Corridor.
3.
Shifting billions in highway dollars to intimidate county and state
officials
who have questioned these projects.
4. An illegal lobbying by TxDOT of
the federal government to allow federal
highways to be converted to toll
roads.
5. The
misuse of public funds for the purpose of "selling" these projects to
the
public.
6.
The withholding of public documents -- specifically, a signed contract
with
CINTRA, a Spanish-based toll road consortium, which appears to have
favored
status to build the Corridor.
7. CINTRA lobbyist, Dan Shelley's,
employment with the Governor's office.
8. Interference by the Federal
Highway Administration appointees with ties to
CINTRA.
9. The refusal of officials to state
the key purpose of the TTC - that it is
primarily a trade route to move more
imports (primarily Chinese) from Mexican
ports in to the
US.
10. The
refusal to address the very real threat of this project to homeland
security
and the sovereignty of the United States.
Further, the Governor has chosen to
ignore his own Business Council and nationally
recognized transportation
experts who suggest that, if Texas needs additional funds
for roads, they
should simply index the gas tax and consider a modest gas
tax
increase.
Last, Texans, of all political persuasions, believe that in
order to justify the
largest taking of private property in the history of the
US that this project
demands, Texans should have the right to vote on it. We
have been afforded no such
thing. Will you join our call for a Congressional
investigation to help guarantee
protections for the rights of the people of
Texas? We do not need to hear from your
office the refrain that this is just
a "state issue". We know this is untrue. We need
your action
now.
I await your
response.
Sincerely,
Signature
Printed Name
Address (include City and Zip)
Email & Phone:
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