[AGL] Enron, BP and Toll Roads

[Wayne Johnson]

Frances.

Once upon a time in a galaxy far, far away there was a thing called the Golden Gate Bridge Authority.  It's job was to exact tolls from drivers to....gasp....pay for the construction costs of the bridge.  A few years before the original bond was to be completely paid off, someone got the bright idea that the "bridge" should go into the "public transportation industry".  So...they bought buses and ferries and off they went.  

Today GG bridge tolls are now around $4 a pop.  (Jon Ford probably knows the exact cost.)  In 1966 they were .35!   Granted things have gone up, but if the assholes in "authority" hadn't gotten "big eyes" for more...more...more, the tolls would likely only cover the operations costs of the bridge.  So they might be a buck.  Who knows.  But the "users" wouldn't be underwriting a bus/ferry company!  

When too many "smart executives" get together, the result is usually a big pile of shit for everyone else to wade through.  (Think: Iraq here.)

wgJ
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Frances Morey 
  To: survivors' reminiscences about Austin Ghetto Daze in the 60s 
  Sent: Monday, May 08, 2006 9:04 AM
  Subject: Re: [AGL] Enron, BP and Toll Roads


  In other Houstonesque news, Thorne Dryer is in Austin for a time researching a book he's writing on alternative press, staying with Alice Embree's family.
  Privitization is just another way to say sorry, no one will be accountable. I wouldn't oppose toll roads so vehemently if say the toll was to be lifted when the project was paid for. But clearly this is not the intent with the push for toll roads today--rather that the profits from same are the reward for the private builders who take on the project by hook or crook, ie. paying off those we elected to capture the plum. My late brother, a big time steel contractor in SA, was outraged when Agnew got in trouble for pay-offs. "How else could we get anything done?", he said.
  FM

  Connie Clark <connie_3c at yahoo.com> wrote:
    Interesting developments:

    It was revealed in yesterdays Houston Chron that BP will be getting a very stiff fine for heaving polluting - they reported excesive releases of amonia and formaldahyde (a precursor to ground level ozone) in 2004.  They are the No. 1 toxic polluter down here.  But then, they are not sure if it was new way of calculating.  Nevertheless, these new figures will change all of the areas calculations for the Clean Air Act.  It's back to the drawing board for meeting the ozone levels for 2010.  Anyway, I wouldn't believe their 'green' ads.
    http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/3845870.html

    The Harris County Toll Road Authority was shocked to learn that TxDOT wants them to pay $1 billion for the privilage of building roads on 3 corridors (about 80 miles) that TxDOT had acquired ROW and planned.    Plus they want 50 percent of the toll revenue.  It turns out that TxDOT's negotiations with Cintra-Zachry to build the I-35 Trans-Texas Corridor 35 has given them some extra bargaining power.  Cintray-Zachry is offering $6 for the Central Texas project.  The Harris County Commissioners are incensed at the proposed price - now realize they must compete with private industry.  This may prompt them to sell the whole thing to a private consortium - duck and run, a typical Republican strategy when govt/tax money machines dry up.

    Enron trial is winding down.  Prosecutors are feeling good about the case - think they may be putting both Skilling and Lay away.

    -30-
    Connie





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