Warren Buffet has linked leasing roads to be tolled by private companies as selling off pieces of the farm and raising the mortgage. Story here.

During the 1995 legislative session, Dan Shelley, who was working for Gov. George W. Bush, pushed a bill that created strong incentives for the state to contract out welfare programs to private firms. Shortly after the bill passed, Shelley quit Bush's office and began lobbying for Lockheed-Martin-IMS, one of several companies that were vying for the welfare contract. The contract was worth approximately $2 billion.

Then, during Perry's administration, Dan Shelley, who was working as an independent “consultant” lobbying for Cintra, was hired as an aide to Gov. Perry. Next, Cintra was awarded the exclusive development rights for the corridor. Then, Shelley returned to being a lobbyist for Cintra. Story here.

Gov. Rick Perry is aggressively pursing tolling most highways, in part be used to pay for the toll road. Yet, there exists ample money in TxDOT's coffers to pay for the roads without resorting to tolling. Revenue will mainly be used to pay for the Trans Texas Corridor -- specifically relocating the railroad lines. That was made clear once the contract with Cintra-Zachry was made public. It is something Perry does not want known. That's why it was a secret.

Gov. Perry and Lt. Gov. Dewhurst, who sit on the Texas Bond Review Board, have been trying to use money from Texas Mobility Fund ONLY to fund TOLL roads. The one who has prevented Perry’s travesty is the third member of the board -- Carole Keeton Strayhorn. She is the only candidate with a viable plan to terminate the contract with Cintra-Zachry. She is endorsed by the San Antonio Toll Party. Please vote for Strayhorn for governor.