Chron on Prop 1
The endorsements keep rolling out of 801 Texas. In this case, they're For Prop 1, which effectively allows for more bonds to be issued against the Texas Transportation Commission in the hopes of alleviating traffic around rail lines. The Chron adds a bit of local flair by noting Mayor White's presser involving school kids skipping through parked rail cars to get to school.
As tragic as that situation is, I'm going to have to stick with a small government approach here and say "No dice." Kids endangering their lives to make it to school is certainly a tragic situation, and I'd agree that there ought to be a few preventative steps to alleviate such things. But does that necessitate the issuance of new bonds and the increasing debt load to go along with it?
I've got my Google Earth tuned in to McReynolds Middle School, where the incident in question occurred. Sure enough, there's railroad tracks that go right in front of the school, not the least of which is a dead end street heading to the school that ends right ther on the tracks. Such problems should get fixed, but they should be done out of general revenue and I've got to think we'd be far better off doing away with the zillion or so pockets of money that are carved into our state government. If state government cannot simplify enough to manage that trick, then why am I to believe that there would be no encroachment of a newfound ability to issue debt in the state's name?
Here in Harris County, we've got a built-in reminder of bureaucratic encroachment with the Sports Authority that has outlived it's original purpose only to see the once-conservative Oliver Luck make the case for it's increased lifespan.
There's a high hurdle that has to be cleared in my mind for stuff like this: prove to me that it's limited and prove to me how it's going to stay that way. As of this writing, I'm not convinced of the Texas Transportation Commission's ability to target funds for the express purpose of things like making sure kids don't have to walk through parked train cars. Nor do I feel like trying to mentally torture myself into accepting some scenario where they may very well do that.
So I'll be voting no on this amendment ... just like the rest of 'em.
ADD-ON: Meanwhile, this Chron editorial, I agree with 101%. The Legacy of Wolgemuth needs to be put to death ... much like her political career.