Houston Democrats

Culberson used to make public statements against rail as an effective people-mover. Based on his last Town Meeting at Rice last week, I'd say that he has refined his technique into Delaying tactics:

(Hat tip to Kuff and Christof)

1. Culberson falsely claims the referendum specified a route on Westpark. Actually, to be eligible for federal funding, Metro must look at alternative routes. (Recall that Metro lost federal funding for the Main Street line, thanks to Delay). According to Culberson, a Richmond route would have to go to a new referendum.

2. Culberson falsely claims the Katy Freeway Expansion is not costing local taxpayers any money. This expansion is partly financed through Harris County Tollroad nAuthority debt - a revolving bond debt of $900 million. When the old bonds are retired, they reissue bonds for new projects.

3. It turns out that Culberson favors only suburban rail. The Metro Solution plan through 2012 has one route to IAH and the others are mainly intraurban routes. Therefore he doesn't like any of Metro's proposals. Where is that can do attitude he has for tollroads?

ad infinitum

Go see Kuff and Christof.