Thursday, March 02, 2006

Happening right now in your backyard...

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Toll roads; influence in Capitol


March 03, 2006

Austin American-Statesman
Copyright 2006

Tolls should be the issue of the election


The large network of new and upgraded highways rapidly nearing completion throughout the area look like toll roads on the outside, but actually are a permanent revenue stream more on par with a state income tax. This new toll tax will cost thousands per household per year. Never in the history of our country have public roads been given over to private companies. But it is happening right now in your backyard.

The election coming up Tuesday is our chance to throw out the toll taxers. Let's bring in candidates who have pledged to turn this monster around, especially Barbara Samuelson in Williamson County and Sarah Eckhardt in Travis, and statewide look for Steve Smith and Major Buck Werner.

For more information, go to www.TexasTollParty.com

JIM SMAJSTRLA

jim789us@yahoo.com

Round Rock

Stop trying to buy Capitol

Re: Feb. 24 column by James Leininger, "School choice is good medicine":

Multimillionaire Leininger attempted to excuse his voucher crusade as altruism born of his desire to help children. Yet for years, Leininger has spent vast sums of money to defeat candidates of both parties who make improving public education their highest priority.

Leininger has already dumped more than $1.4 million into the 2006 campaign cycle. More than half of that amount was spent on his vendetta against five of my Republican colleagues who voted against vouchers. Those five members, along with a bipartisan majority of the House, rejected his scheme because our priority is ensuring that every child, in every neighborhood, has access to an excellent public school.

If Leininger is really so concerned about helping children, he should stop trying to purchase the Legislature and start supporting officeholders who have the guts to vote in the best interests of the children they represent.

GARNET COLEMAN

Texas House member

Houston


© 2006 Austin American-Statesman: www.statesman.com

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