Karin Dryhurst

Outdated and Incorrect

The administrator of the Federal Transit Administration has laid the smack-down on a Texas Congressman's attempt to block light rail in Houston.

FTA appreciates the detailed points that you provided...However, as described below, some of the information included in your letter is outdated and incorrect.

The letter goes on to disprove five points made by GOP Rep. John Culberson in his objection to the project, including the cost and revenue figures he provided.

But instead of covering the FTA rebuttal, the Houston Chronicle interviewed a light rail critic, who claims a 2003 referendum blocks Houston Metro from taking on the debt it needs for the new project. The referendum asked for voter approval of a rail expansion plan.

Oddly enough, the referendum was forced by language Culberson inserted into the 2003 federal transportation bill tying federal transit funding for the city to voter approval.

What a coincidence.

Unfortunately for Rep. Culberson, and for Rep. Tom DeLay who pulled a similar stunt in 2000, the FTA has decided that the project does not violate the referendum.

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Posted at 10:06 AM, Mar 10, 2010 in Transportation
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