By BJ Austin, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-826634.mp3
Dallas, TX – A state senate committee could vote next week on ways to fund a "regional rail" system in North Texas - and transportation projects in other metro areas. KERA's BJ Austin says the Local Option Transportation Funding Act found supporters and foes at its first hearing.
The bill would allow local communities to vote on new fees or taxes to fund regional commuter rail, and roads.
Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck says his city really needs to do something, and sooner rather than later.
Cluck: We're the largest city in the nation without public transportation. And I'm not proud of that. We need to change that in Arlington, and we're ready to do so.
But Collin County Judge Keith Self is against it. He told senators a higher "local" gas tax, plus assorted fees, would cost a family in Plano 225 dollars a year for the two rail projects being proposed for Collin County. He says that's a tax increase in bad economic times.
However, Collin County Commissioner Jerry Hoagland urged senators to go "full steam ahead."
Hoagland: Growth will gridlock us in the future, and therefore cost us more tomorrow if we don't deal with this problem today.
Dallas Senator John Corona says the bill is still a work in progress, and there could be a committee vote on it next week.