La Entrada al Pacífico: The next priority corridor?
Seliger: MOTRAN a priority in next legislative session
State senator: La Entrada key to West Texas economy
Friday, 18 November 2005
By David J. Lee
Odessa American
Copyright 2005
MIDLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT State Sen. Kel Seliger told the Midland-Odessa Transportation Alliance on Thursday that West Texas trade corridors are at the top of his priority list when the Texas Legislature meets next.
“Part of what we do is discuss in the interim how to prepare for the next legislative session beginning in January 2007,” Seliger said. “MOTRAN, you’ll be happy to know, will be a big part of that.”
Seliger said he considers La Entrada al Pacífico important to the economy of West Texas.
“The statistics show that right now Texas is about 55 percent a service economy,” Seliger said. “That’s not good or bad. But, the majority of Texas is not concerned with the transportation of goods. I think that’s not necessarily the case in West Texas.”
Seliger said while projects like the TransTexas Corridor — a massive highway project proposed up Interstate 35 — are good for the state, he believes money would be better spent in West Texas.
“I think of economic development and progress, we’d have more economic opportunity dollar for dollar created by money spent in West Texas — whether it be La Entrada al Pacífico or the 349 reliever route — than by just pouring more concrete in big cities,” Seliger said.
“We’re concerned in West Texas about how we’re growing our business and our industry when we look at transportation as an economic asset, and it is,” he said. “Without it, we don’t have our business or industry.”
Seliger was the keynote speaker Thursday at the annual MOTRAN meeting at the Permian Basin Regional Planning Commission near the airport.
MOTRAN President James Beauchamp said for 2005, the 14-year-old political action committee had a return of $78 on each dollar spent on administration of MOTRAN. That’s compared to a $42 return per dollar in 2004.
“That’s comparing what we spent on administration to what we brought in,” Beauchamp said. “We take that as a good sign.”
After thanking Seliger for his help and attendance, Beauchamp also commended U.S. Rep. Mike Conaway for his help with the transportation bill that designated La Entrada as a high priority corridor.
“For anyone who had doubts about the effectiveness of having a congressman from your area, wonder no more,” he said.
Drew Crutcher, chairman of MOTRAN’s board, said he’s looking forward to the next year on the committee.
“Over the last 14 years, we’ve been doing a lot of talking,” he said. “We’re about to start doing a lot of walking.”
© 2005 Odessa Anerican www.oaoa.com
State senator: La Entrada key to West Texas economy
Friday, 18 November 2005
By David J. Lee
Odessa American
Copyright 2005
MIDLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT State Sen. Kel Seliger told the Midland-Odessa Transportation Alliance on Thursday that West Texas trade corridors are at the top of his priority list when the Texas Legislature meets next.
“Part of what we do is discuss in the interim how to prepare for the next legislative session beginning in January 2007,” Seliger said. “MOTRAN, you’ll be happy to know, will be a big part of that.”
Seliger said he considers La Entrada al Pacífico important to the economy of West Texas.
“The statistics show that right now Texas is about 55 percent a service economy,” Seliger said. “That’s not good or bad. But, the majority of Texas is not concerned with the transportation of goods. I think that’s not necessarily the case in West Texas.”
Seliger said while projects like the TransTexas Corridor — a massive highway project proposed up Interstate 35 — are good for the state, he believes money would be better spent in West Texas.
“I think of economic development and progress, we’d have more economic opportunity dollar for dollar created by money spent in West Texas — whether it be La Entrada al Pacífico or the 349 reliever route — than by just pouring more concrete in big cities,” Seliger said.
“We’re concerned in West Texas about how we’re growing our business and our industry when we look at transportation as an economic asset, and it is,” he said. “Without it, we don’t have our business or industry.”
Seliger was the keynote speaker Thursday at the annual MOTRAN meeting at the Permian Basin Regional Planning Commission near the airport.
MOTRAN President James Beauchamp said for 2005, the 14-year-old political action committee had a return of $78 on each dollar spent on administration of MOTRAN. That’s compared to a $42 return per dollar in 2004.
“That’s comparing what we spent on administration to what we brought in,” Beauchamp said. “We take that as a good sign.”
After thanking Seliger for his help and attendance, Beauchamp also commended U.S. Rep. Mike Conaway for his help with the transportation bill that designated La Entrada as a high priority corridor.
“For anyone who had doubts about the effectiveness of having a congressman from your area, wonder no more,” he said.
Drew Crutcher, chairman of MOTRAN’s board, said he’s looking forward to the next year on the committee.
“Over the last 14 years, we’ve been doing a lot of talking,” he said. “We’re about to start doing a lot of walking.”
© 2005 Odessa Anerican
posted by Porkus Maximus Tex: at Friday, November 18, 2005
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