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Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison today unveiled a transportation plan without saying how she would pay for it and announced several proposals that are already being practiced by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Texas Transportation Commission.

“Not only are most of Sen. Hutchison’s transportation proposals already being practiced, but she offers no plan to fund them,” said Texans for Rick Perry spokesman Mark Miner.

Below is a fact check on Sen. Hutchison’s transportation proposals:

Sen. Hutchison wants to “kill the Trans-Texas Corridor.”
FACT: The Transportation Commission has recommended to the Federal Highway Administration to disapprove construction of TTC-35. The project is dead.

Sen. Hutchison offers several proposals to “reform private highway financing,” but most are already in practice or provided under current law:
• Sen. Hutchison says, “No state contracts should reduce the speed limit on public roads”
FACT: They don’t – the Transportation Commission currently has the discretion to set speed limits. No contract provides a decrease in the speed limit for public roads.
• Sen. Hutchison says, “No existing free road should be tolled.”
FACT: This is current law under Transportation Code, Chapter 228.201.
• Sen. Hutchison says, “Existing rights-of-way should be used for necessary capacity expansion”
FACT: This is a current practice of TxDOT.
• Sen. Hutchison says, “Private contractors should not be awarded exclusive concessionary rights along frontage roads”
FACT: This is specifically not allowed under Proposition 11, the constitutional amendment championed by Gov. Perry and approved by voters this November.
• Sen. Hutchison says, “Local communities should have the right to determine whether new roads should be tolled or publicly constructed.”
FACT: This is currently the practice of TxDOT, which has a policy to defer to the local communities in matters of tolling, whether or not to construct, and the setting of toll rates and other business terms.
• Sen. Hutchison says, “The ability to restrict construction or expansion of public roads under a Comprehensive Development Agreement should be reformed, including preservation of the right to assume public ownership and operation of the toll project in the future.”
FACT: This is current law, as the public never relinquishes ownership, Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 223.206

Gov. Rick Perry today received the endorsement of the Southwest Movers Association (SMA) for re-election.

“The household goods industry is proud of the work that the governor has done to ensure the state of Texas remains a prime destination to move to,” said SMA Executive Director John Esparza. “The moving business is small business enterprise at its best and we recognize the measures taken to keep Texas number one in economic growth. Small businesses are the engines that drive our state’s economy. Those of us that make our living on the state’s highways can appreciate and share in the governor’s vision for keeping our infrastructure safe while addressing our future needs.”

The mission of SMA is to aggressively promote and protect the interests of its members by enhancing the professionalism and standards of the industry through creating and maintaining one consistent standard for all movers.

“I am pleased to receive the endorsement of the Southwest Movers Association, which plays a key role in supporting the more than 1,000 people who move to Texas every day,” said Gov. Perry. “As our state continues to grow, I look forward to working with members and stakeholders of SMA to ensure that Texas remains a top destination for job seekers.”