Latest news with #Bucy
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bill to block high-speed rail from altering Texas roads heads to subcommittee
PALESTINE, Texas (KETK) — A bill authored by East Texas State Rep. Cody Harris (R-Palestine) to stop high-speed rail projects from altering state roadways has advanced to a public committee hearing. Tyler approves study for train services Harris introduced House Bill 1402 on Nov. 19, 2024. Since then, the bill has been read and referred to the House Subcommittee on Transportation Funding for a public hearing on March 31. 'HB 1402 would stop the use of your hard-earned tax dollars from being spent to alter roadways for this unwelcome project,' Harris said. 'We're one step closer to defending private property rights and protecting Texas taxpayers from this transportation debacle through HB 1402.' H.B 1402 would amend Section 199.003. of the Texas Transportation Code to say the following: 'This state, a state agency, or a political subdivision of this state may not use public money to pay for the alteration of a roadway related to the construction of a high-speed rail project operated by a public or private entity.' That section of the Texas Transportation Code was passed as Senate Bill 977 on Sept. 1, 2017. The bill made it illegal for the state to appropriate any money for planning, constructing, maintaining, securing, promoting or operating high-speed rail operated by a private entity. Trump administration takes aim at $4B in funding for California high-speed rail Texas Rail Advocates, a non-profit dedicated to promoting freight and passenger rail, rated Harris's bill as counterproductive. The nonprofit noted that the bill would prevent public funds from being used to alter roadways on the public's highspeed rail projects. State Rep. John Bucy III, a Democrat representing Austin, has filed House Joint Resolution 58, which proposes a constitutional amendment authorizing the state to spend money on transit-oriented projects. Texas Rail Advocates rated Bucy's resolution as productive. TOWNHALL TENSION: State reps booed off stage during education meeting Both Harris' and Bucy's proposals are scheduled to be discussed by the House Subcommittee on Transportation Funding in room E2.014 at the Texas Capitol in Austin starting at 10 a.m. on Monday. Texas residents can submit their own comments for all the bills and topics the subcommittee will be discussing on Monday through the House Public Comment form online. The hearing will be streamed live on the Texas House website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Texas Lottery concerns: Commission holds meeting amid investigations into courier services
The Brief The Texas Lottery Commission held a meeting Tuesday just two weeks after a controversial win in Austin. The Texas Lottery has recently been under scrutiny by state officials. The Texas Lottery Commission held a meeting Tuesday just two weeks after a controversial win in Austin triggered investigations into retail courier services. What they're saying The new executive director spent his time addressing the issues on Tuesday by focusing on the couriers, not the lottery. "The $84 million recent Lotto Texas jackpot, when we believe that there was enough there to say that we need to take action with the lottery retailers over this issue," said executive director Ryan Mindell. Mindell has held the position for 11 months after Gary Grief, the former executive director, resigned. Grief and a courier are being accused of money laundering, fraud, and manipulating the outcome of lottery games. However, they denied their involvement. The other side The chief legal officer of a retail courier chose to share his side at the meeting on Tuesday afternoon. Rob Porter is the Chief Legal Officer of and Players Cafe. "We are very concerned about the lottery's abrupt policy change and proposed rules to prohibit lottery career services in Texas," said Rob Porter. "I ask that you listen to the materials that we give." Porter said they have been left out of the discussions surrounding their operations and the future of their business. "Before you make rules to policy that harm responsible private businesses that have invested millions of dollars in that state, before you take action and pass rules that jeopardize the jobs of dozens of Texans," said Porter. He continued to explain the ripple effects of banning couriers and its impact on companies that follow the law. Big picture view "When the lottery was initially passed, it didn't contemplate these apps and smartphones buying tickets," said state Rep. John H. Bucy III. "It's how 2 million Texans buy lottery tickets right now." Bucy has been pushing to pass a bill that would regulate couriers and ensure everyone plays by the rules. "I do not think that we should just be an emotional response to saying, there's something bad that's happening with the lottery, or something bad is happening with the couriers, and we're gonna throw out the industry," said Bucy. Texas Lottery moves to ban courier services after controversial win Bill to ban online, app purchase of Texas Lottery tickets passes Senate Texas Lottery concerns: Bill filed to ban app, Internet purchase of lotto tickets The conversation about banning the online sale of lotto tickets is something the new executive director of the TLC stated they would do. However, he does not have the authority to make that decision. "Forever, the Lottery Commission has told us that they don't have authority to regulate couriers," said Bucy. "Then somehow, overnight, they woke up and said, oh, I now have this authority; I don't know, I don't know who gave it to them. Where did it come from? After years, I'm not having it." The backstory The Texas Lottery has been under the microscope after recent controversial wins. Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Texas Rangers to investigate an $83.5 million winning ticket sold in Austin through a courier this month and a $95 million winning ticket in 2023 that was allegedly made through a bulk purchase. Attorney General Ken Paxtonannounced his own investigation into the Texas Lottery Commission as well. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has also publicly called for reforms to the Texas Lottery, especially in regards to couriers. The Source Information in this report comes from reporting by FOX 7 Austin's Katie Pratt and previous reporting by FOX 7 Austin.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Amtrak seeking partner to build 240-mile Texas high-speed rail project
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Amtrak is soliciting a partner to help bring high-speed rail to the Lone Star State. Amtrak procurement documents published this week revealed the national passenger railroad company is releasing a request for qualifications (RFQ) to prospective firms for the Dallas to Houston High-Speed Rail Project. That project marks a 240-mile endeavor poised to linking the two metropolitan areas within 90 minutes. The trains are expected to travel up to 205 miles per hour, and an intermediate stop in Brazos Valley is planned as part of the project proposal, according to Amtrak RFQ details. 'Amtrak is working to confirm the viability of the concept of a dedicated high-speed rail route between Dallas and Houston,' a spokesperson told KXAN. 'As part of these efforts, we are seeking to identify the interest of potential partners through responses to this Request for Qualifications process.' The selected delivery partner will assist in managing the program, design work, construction, quality management and procurements, among other responsibilities noted in the RFQ. Notice-for-the Texas-High-Speed-Rail-HSR-Project-Delivery-Partner-Upcoming-ProjectsDownload High-speed rail is a transportation area that has captured a growing number of Texas officials' interest in recent years. State Rep. John Bucy III, D-Austin, filed House Bill 483 back in November that, if passed, would allocate state funding to support the development of high-speed rail linking Dallas, Austin and San Antonio along the Interstate 35 corridor. Bucy told KXAN in November ample mobility choices in Central Texas will help bolster the region and state's economy while also minimizing congestion and gridlock. State Sen. Sarah Eckhardt, D-Austin, filed an accompanying bill in the Texas Senate on Nov. 21. Texans and those visiting our great state deserve robust options for travel and commuting. The IH-35 corridor is a major hub for work and recreation, and it only makes sense that high speed rail is an option for this corridor. You could live and work in Dallas, go to a meeting in Austin, have dinner in San Antonio, and be home in time to put your kids to bed. All of that without having to sit in heavy traffic or go through airport security. It's time for Texas to lead once more on infrastructure, including on transit. Making Texas as good as its promise must include extensive and modern transit systems. State Rep. John Bucy III (D-Austin) Earlier in the fall, Travis County Judge Andy Brown and Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai announced the creation of the Texas Passenger Rail Advisory Committee, with the goal of advocating for expanded rail funding in the 2025 Texas legislative session. Both Brown and Sakai championed the alternative transit mode as a means of bridging the San Antonio and Austin metro areas, minimizing congestion and traffic-related pollution and promoting economic opportunities within the transit corridor. That isn't to say there hasn't been some pushback from state leaders. Rep. Cody Harris, R-Palestine, filed HB 1402 on Nov. 19, which, if passed, would prohibit allocating funds 'to pay for the alteration of a roadway related to the construction of a high-speed rail project operated by a public or private entity.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
