Krusee formally charged with DWI

HD 52 Representative Mike Krusee was in a Williamson County courtroom today to be formally charged with driving while intoxicated, as reported by Austin’s FOX 7. He pled not guilty and will go to trial on November 17. Krusee is not running for reelection.

Interestingly, the charge was read to him by Dee Hobbs, Williamson County prosecuting attorney, who ran in the Republican primary for Krusee’s seat. Hobbs was defeated in a primary runoff by Bryan Daniel, who is the Republican nominee for the seat. Also running are Democrat Diana Maldonado and Libertarian Lillian Simmons.

Krusee was the author of HB 3588 that created the Trans-Texas Corridor at the behest of Gov. Perry. All three candidates for the seat say they are against the Corridor.

To see the FOX 7 report, go to
http://www.myfoxaustin.com/myfox/pages/Home/Detail;jsessionid=EC6AD84C97BA701E004DA24A2CC8B405?contentId=7683094&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=1.1.1&sflg=1

HD 52 candidates on Corridor

The Taylor Daily Press has covered the views of the candidates in the HD 52 race. Regarding transportation,

“[Republican Bryan] Daniel said he is opposed to the Trans-Texas Corridor being built in Williamson County. ‘I don’t think it’s right for Williamson County,’ he said.”

“[Democrat Diana] Maldonado is against the Trans-Texas Corridor and is for mass transit.”

“[Libertarian Lillian] Simmons views the Trans-Texas Corridor as a way for the government to import vast amounts of goods from China via Mexico. ‘I’m opposed to it,’ she said. ‘It’s the largest land grab in the history of the U.S.’”

About TxDOT in general,

“Maldonado said additional funding for TxDOT may be appropriate, but the department needs further oversight.”

“Simmons said giving TxDOT any additional funding would be a bad move. ‘It looks like they’re using a lot of money for promoting the Trans-Texas Corridor,’ she said.”

“To Daniel, new leadership at the Texas Department of Transportation encourages him to believe that the embattled agency may be back on track, he said. He supports a suggested $1.5 billion cash infusion for the department, provided that the new leadership shows that it can spend taxpayers’ money wisely.”

The complete article--taylordailypress.net/articles/2008/10/14/news/news03.txt

HD 52 nominees speak about Trans-Texas Corridor

Recently, the Hutto Economic Development Corporation hosted a forum between the nominees to replace Mike Krusee in HD 52—Dem. Diana Maldonado and Rep. Bryan Daniel. Eye on Williamson has reported on their stands on various issues, including transportation funding. Both nominees had come out against the Trans-Texas Corridor (TTC) at the Candidate Forum hosted by the Coupland Civic Organization during primary season. According to quotes from the Hutto forum, they both seem to still oppose it.

Regarding toll roads, including the TTC, Maldonado wants roads to serve local communities: “I’ve spoken with voters in Thrall, Coupland and Granger. They do not want a superhighway going through their property. . . . If it does not serve the people of Williamson County, I will not support it. I-35 is good for business and the TTC is not.”

Daniel said, “The rural and urban constituents in House District 52 have different needs. Privatization is taking away taxpayer dollars. It is not as efficient. There is no input from the people who are going to use the road.”

The entire entry is posted on eyeonwilliamson.org. dated September 4, 2008.

Maldonado and Daniel make their case before Hutto EDC