Published: 06-12-08
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) Texas’ senior senator will deliver remarks at the Republican Party of Texas 2008 Convention.
WHO: U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
WHAT: Deliver remarks at the Republican Party of Texas 2008 Convention
WHEN: Friday June 13 2008
Second General Session
1:45 PM CDT (approximate time)
WHERE: George R. Brown Convention Center
1001 Avenida de las Americas
Houston Texas 77010
Sen. Hutchison: TxDOT Decision to Pursue I-69 through Existing Right-of-Way a “Major Victory”
TxDOT Heeds Call of Sen. Hutchison 28000 Texans to Limit Impact on Business Private Property
U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) Texas’ senior senator today called an announcement by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to utilize existing right-of-way for the Texas portion of the planned I-69 highway a “major victory” for landowners farmers and private property rights.
“Over 28000 Texans expressed serious concerns over TxDOT’s plan to utilize eminent domain for new routes in the construction of I-69 and how that would affect private property rights businesses and agricultural land” said Sen. Hutchison. “TxDOT’s announcement that they will instead pursue existing right-of-way is a major victory for Texas private property owners businesses farmers and ranchers.
“I have long supported building I-69 in Texas on existing right-of-way because we have a significant need for added Interstate highway capacity in response to the rapid growth in our state. By using existing right-of-way TxDOT will more efficiently utilize taxpayer dollars while also limiting the negative impact on farm land and businesses.”
On March 19 Sen. Hutchison sent a letter to the Texas Turnpike Authority Division and the Texas Division of the Federal Highway Administration urging that additional time be allowed for sufficient public comment. A 30-day extension of the public comment period was granted. Sen. Hutchison also expressed concern about the use of eminent domain and their limited analysis of existing right-of-way under the original plan for this project.
