House Bill 483 would direct TxDOT to partner with a private entity to build a high-speed rail connecting Dallas, Austin and San Antonio.
AUSTIN, Texas — A bill to loosen restrictions on high-speed rail funding was heard at the Texas State Capitol on Monday.
State Rep. John Bucy III (D-Austin) is the author of House Bill 483, which would repeal a ban on state investments into high-speed rail.
“When distance keeps us from opportunity, from a new job, from a doctor’s appointment, or dinner with our families, it’s not just a traffic problem – it’s a quality of life problem,” Bucy said.
HB 483 would direct the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to partner with a private entity to build a high-speed rail connecting Dallas, Austin and San Antonio.
Supporters of the bill say high-speed rail would create jobs, boost the state economy and give Texans more options.
“Transportation equals opportunity. Imagine the opportunities that are unlocked for Texans if you can live in Dallas and be in Houston in one hour; if you could live in Houston and get to San Antonio or Austin in one hour,” State Rep. Rafael Anchía (D-Dallas) said.
The House Subcommittee on Transportation Funding heard testimony on HB 483 Monday morning. Travis County Judge Andy Brown spoke in favor of the bill.
Brown said the projected growth in Central Texas – particularly between Austin and San Antonio – calls for a big investment in infrastructure to keep up.
“Travis County and Bexar County, that region, has about 5 million people in that super region. We’re going to have 8 million people by 2050. That’s huge growth,” Brown said. “We need to make sure that we’re keeping up, that our economy’s able to keep up, and that means we need to have better transportation options in the Austin and San Antonio region.”
Opponents of HB 483 say allowing the state to fund high-speed rail means the cost will ultimately fall on taxpayers.
“Every single one of these projects, in some way, comes to the taxpayers, the public, for resources,” one woman who testified before lawmakers said. “Every one of these is an absolute slam on taxpayers.”
HB 483 was let pending in committee.
