Gov Perry Should Veto TXDOT bill if it has tax increase

Local governments want the ability to increase gas taxes by putting a provision on the ballot. This could increase gas taxes as much as 125% in Texas!

Since the provisions of that measure -- SB 855 -- have been rolled into the TXDOT Sunset legislation, we should encourage the Governor to veto the bill if that provision is in it when it arrives on his desk.

Whether or not you support that local option legislation, the AFP-Texas position is this: as long as local officials want the ability to put a tax INCREASE on the ballot, but are opposing taxpayers having the ability to automatically vote for LOWERING the tax, we will opppose it.

That's our position on local control. It should be in the hands of the taxpayers, not the tax spenders.

Government Flight Services - The Only Way to Fly (if you're a state employee)

I was tipped off about something very interesting in the TxDOT budget this morning. Did you know that our state employees can travel by private jets, owned and operated by the Texas Department of Transportation?

I was a tad surprised to learn this, but sure enough, here's all the info on the TxDOT website.
Check out the features of our taxpayer-funded Beechwood King Air 200 (which my pilot friends and limited aviation experience tell me is the Rolls Royce of multi-engine small planes):

• Cruising Speed – 310 mph (Most airports in Texas can be reached in less than one hour.)


• Range – 1,400 miles (Non-stop flights means less time traveling)


• Minimum Runway Length Required – 3,000 feet (This means more than 400 airports are available in Texas to meet your needs as opposed to only 19 accessible commercially.)


• Seating Capacity – Eight to 10 (No key personnel need be left behind)


• All Weather Capabilities (Don't miss those important events)


• Pressurized Cabin (Capable of altitudes in excess of 30,000 feet to fly over most weather)

Well, golly! Must be tough travelling in that sucker. There's more information available on one of the planes the state owns here.

Check out the inside of the 2000 Raytheon B200 (N808WD):