[AGL] Enron, BP and Toll Roads

[Michael Eisenstadt]

Frances,

Thorne Dreyer is a subscriber here.

Michael

P.S. List of current subscribers follows

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Frances Morey" <frances_morey at yahoo.com>
To: "survivors' reminiscences about Austin Ghetto Daze in the 60s" 
<austin-ghetto-list at pairlist.net>
Sent: Monday, May 08, 2006 8:04 AM
Subject: Re: [AGL] Enron, BP and Toll Roads


> In other Houstonesque news, Thorne Dryer is in Austin for a time 
> researching a book he's writing on alternative press, staying with Alice 
> Embree's family.
>  Privitization is just another way to say sorry, no one will be 
> accountable. I wouldn't oppose toll roads so vehemently if say the toll 
> was to be lifted when the project was paid for. But clearly this is not 
> the intent with the push for toll roads today--rather that the profits 
> from same are the reward for the private builders who take on the project 
> by hook or crook, ie. paying off those we elected to capture the plum. My 
> late brother, a big time steel contractor in SA, was outraged when Agnew 
> got in trouble for pay-offs. "How else could we get anything done?", he 
> said.
>  FM
>
> Connie Clark <connie_3c at yahoo.com> wrote:
>    Interesting developments:
>
>  It was revealed in yesterdays Houston Chron that BP will be getting a 
> very stiff fine for heaving polluting - they reported excesive releases of 
> amonia and formaldahyde (a precursor to ground level ozone) in 2004.  They 
> are the No. 1 toxic polluter down here.  But then, they are not sure if it 
> was new way of calculating.  Nevertheless, these new figures will change 
> all of the areas calculations for the Clean Air Act.  It's back to the 
> drawing board for meeting the ozone levels for 2010.  Anyway, I wouldn't 
> believe their 'green' ads.
>  http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/3845870.html
>
>  The Harris County Toll Road Authority was shocked to learn that TxDOT 
> wants them to pay $1 billion for the privilage of building roads on 3 
> corridors (about 80 miles) that TxDOT had acquired ROW and planned. 
> Plus they want 50 percent of the toll revenue.  It turns out that TxDOT's 
> negotiations with Cintra-Zachry to build the I-35 Trans-Texas Corridor 35 
> has given them some extra bargaining power.  Cintray-Zachry is offering $6 
> for the Central Texas project.  The Harris County Commissioners are 
> incensed at the proposed price - now realize they must compete with 
> private industry.  This may prompt them to sell the whole thing to a 
> private consortium - duck and run, a typical Republican strategy when 
> govt/tax money machines dry up.
>
>  Enron trial is winding down.  Prosecutors are feeling good about the 
> case - think they may be putting both Skilling and Lay away.
>
>  -30-
>  Connie
>
>
>
>
>
> ---------------------------------
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