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The County Line
Collin County Commissioner Joe Jaynes
As gasoline prices approach
and surpass $4 a gallon, it is
becoming increasingly crucial
to expand both light
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commuter rail throughout
Collin County.
As
Collin County's representative to
the Regional Transportation Council,
I also sit on the Regional Rail
Committee. However, I have a growing
concern about the committee's
discussions on how to finance rail
expansion. At every meeting I have
attended the philosophy has been to
raise this tax or increase this fee.
Many of these increases have to deal
with gas taxes, motor vehicle
registration fees, increased sales
taxes and even a new transportation
tax.
In
my view, especially with today's
economy, these approaches are wholly
unrealistic. Imagine asking voters
to approve an increase in the gas
tax in the hopes that in 10 or 20
years we can get rail expanded
throughout the county. That is not
something I can support.
There are better solutions.
First of all, rail -- whether
commuter or light -- is expensive. I
believe that local governments
should make the necessary cuts to
begin to provide for rail funding.
For instance, if cities set aside a
portion of their economic and
community development funding, it
would be both a good start and set
an excellent example of governmental
entities working together to bring
about much needed mass transit.
Besides, without mass transit, in
the long run,
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we
run the risk of reduced economic and community development.
Local governments
should also become active in buying real estate
along rail corridors and using the development
rights to attract private investors. Solutions like
these should be thoroughly explored and then, if
there are any shortfalls, voters should be
approached to address those shortfalls.
In today's economic
times governmental entities are going to need to
think outside the box and take steps to cover the
costs of expensive but worthwhile projects such as
rail. The current attitude of placing the costs
squarely on the backs of taxpayers is a recipe for
disaster that should be avoided at all costs.
Recently, I have
recently met with representatives of the cities
along the DART owned line that runs from Plano
through Anna. We will be sending out a request for a
proposal to bring a consultant on board to develop a
business plan that will discuss methods and
financing in order to expedite rail to this area.
Collin County and its cities have to take a
proactive approach. Just sitting and waiting on DART
will not get the job done.
My goal is to see
the day when the trains running north in the
mornings are just as full of employees as the trains
running south are today. If you have any thoughts,
ideas or concerns please feel free to email me at
jjaynes@collincountytx.gov
(Collin County
Commissioner Joe Jaynes currently serves as County
Judge Pro Tem.)
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