Bridges
and roads should be safe. We should
be, too.
On August 1, 2007, tragedy struck
when a bridge near downtown Minneapolis
collapsed into the Mississippi River
during rush hour, killing more than
a dozen people.
In the days following that Twin
Cities tragedy, Senator John Carona
aimed a spotlight on Texas' methods
of financing its roads and bridges
and called them "irresponsible."
Senator Carona also called for an
amendment to the Texas Constitution
in order to halt lawmakers' practice
of diverting revenues designated
for construction and maintenance
of roads and bridges.
In addition to reducing the amount
of transportation revenue that goes
to non-transportation purposes,
Senator Carona believes —
as
do many citizens — that increased
fuel taxes are the most acceptable
way to address additional transportation
needs in Texas.
Senator Carona believes that our
statewide transportation network
needs to be a balance
of free roads, toll roads, and mass
transit options. The senator also
believes that clean air
is an integral element of an improved
and balanced transportation
network. "Number one,
however," he points out, "we
need to stop the diversion
of transportation funds
for other uses."
In Austin, transportation and homeland
security concerns are addressed
by the same senate committee. While
the issue of immigration reform
is under federal authority, there
are limited measures the state legislature
can undertake to improve homeland
security.
In addition to those who cross our
border to seek economic opportunities,
there are those who seek to cross
in order to do us harm — terrorists
as well as the criminal elements
related to the drug cartels and
international gangs.
When it comes to immigration reform,
Senator Carona supports:
-
greater use of manpower and law
enforcement resources
- greater
use of technology to track criminal
elements and activity
- barriers
where appropriate and effective
We
need more champions like John Carona
in Austin. On November 4, 2008,
re-elect Senator John Carona.
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