Letter by Barbara Paulus, 2/07/09
Concerning the KS DOT takeover of the KS Turnpike
To My KS State legislators, Senator Holland and Representative O'Brien:
that:
"A Kansas state lawmaker wants to turn over control of the Kansas Turnpike Authority to the state....
Rep. Bill Feuerborn, D-Garnett, is the author of a bill that would abolish the Turnpike Authority and shift its powers and functions to the state Department of Transportation.
Feuerborn said the transfer would help address the state’s huge budget deficit.
Looking down the barrel of a shortfall that could grow to nearly $1 billion by the start of the fiscal year on July 1, Feuerborn said tolls collected on the 236-mile roadway could reinvigorate state government with revenues, which totaled nearly $80 million in 2007."
I strongly urge you to reject this proposal. The Kansas Turnpike, is one of the few in the nation that has been totally self-funded by its tolls. It has never taken a dime of federal money (according to the KS Dept. of Transportation) and has been able to pay off its indebtedness as needed for the initial construction and subsequent repairs.The "80 million" sited in the article, are gross revenues-not "profit". Those toll revenues must be used for improvements and maintenance, and could not be put into the general funds of the State of Kansas without seriously degrading the turnpike.
The primary purpose of the Kansas Turnpike, is to promote business travel across the state. The tolls are reasonably priced, and therefore the turnpike has enjoyed steady truck traffic. Studies of toll roads in other states, that have been managed or sold by the States without an independent turnpike authority-have seen dramatic toll price increases, followed by a reduction of use, and a lack of appropriate maintenance and improvements.
Should this matter come before you for consideration, I urge you in the strongest possible way, to require a full, long-term cost/benefit analysis prior to any decision being made. The long term consequences to the economy of Kansas could be seriously harmed by a short term transfer of "funds" from the KTA to the KDOT.
Barbara Paulus
13921 166th Street
Bonner Springs, KS 66012
913-422-7702
Liberty. Its worth the fight.
From 05/28/2008 Newsletter
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Kansas Senate Fails to protect Kansans from Illegal Immigration, NAU or Superhighway
House passes Stong Immigration Reform Bill
 The Senate of Kansas allowed the 2007-2008 session to close without enacting needed legislation for her citizens and small businesses.
SB 458-a strong Anti-Illegal immigration bill-passed the House, only to be seriously weakened by the Senate.
Another bill-HCR 5033-which
...opposes a "highway system," which would be funded by foreign consortiums and controlled by foreign management, which threatens the sovereignty of the United States...
and
urges the Kansas congressional delegation to pursue withdrawal of the federal government from the SPP (the Security and Prosperity Partnership or North American Union)
was stymied in the Senate Federal & State Affairs Committee.
Elected state senators chose to ignore the wishes of their electorate by effectively killing HCR5033 and SB458.
Let KS Senators know you are dismayed with their failure to protect all Kansans
Contact Kansas Senators-
HCR5033 and HB458 should have passed
all senators
Media Guide at
Patriots cannot stand idly by if we wish to preserve our Constitutional rights and the rule of law.
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(From 01/20/08 E-Newsletter)
DOT defies Law
Illegal Mexican Truck Pilot Program Continues
Pilot program specifically unfunded in 2007
Once again the
Bush Administration's Department of Transportation (DOT) has defied the law and justified it by stating that the law just passed by Congress, and signed by President Bush-does not apply to this program, because it was already started.
This is absurd. The provision in the December appropriations bill, specifically states that funding is WITHDRAWN from the DOT for the Mexican Cross-Border Trucking Pilot Program.
What lawyer will take on the DOT?
Possibly the Teamsters will continue to battle this program in court, but they have not been successful to any degree so far. It is the general legal interpretation of NAFTA, that cross border trade is to be "facilitated". Apparently, that means "at all costs" and "even if we pass a subsequent law amending the details of it".
NAFTA is the legal base on which the North American Union is being formed. Open borders is one of the major tenets of building the "North American Community"-and the SPP (Security Prosperity and Partnership agreement).
Sadly, we must once again demand that our Government abide by the law...and place public interest ahead of corporate profits..
Sound off to
Write to the media and blogs Write to the transportation unions
Patriots cannot stand by idly if we wish to preserve our Constitutional rights and the rule of law.
For more information on the NAU:
http://www.StopTheNorthAmericanUnion.com
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SUPPORT HCR 40
House Concurrent Resolution 40
Opposes N. American Union and the construction of the NAFTA superhighway
Contact your Congress-person, and request support for this bill!
Contact Congress NOW!
Thank those who have supported the bill:
The bill is sponsored by Rep. Virgil Goode, VA
Co-Sponsors (as of 07/07/07)-ALPHABETICAL
Rep Bishop, Rob [UT-1] - 6/15/2007
Rep Boozman, John [AR-3] - 5/15/2007
Rep Cubin, Barbara [WY] - 2/16/2007
Rep Davis, David [TN-1] - 3/1/2007
Rep Davis, Lincoln [TN-4] - 3/1/2007
Rep Duncan, John J., Jr. [TN-2] - 1/22/2007
Rep Foxx, Virginia [NC-5] - 1/22/2007
Rep Franks, Trent [AZ-2] - 4/19/2007
Rep Garrett, Scott [NJ-5] - 2/27/2007
Rep Gingrey, Phil [GA-11] - 5/9/2007
Rep Graves, Sam [MO-6] - 6/6/2007
Rep Heller, Dean [NV-2] - 6/20/2007
Rep Hunter, Duncan [CA-52] - 4/19/2007
Rep Jones, Walter B., Jr. [NC-3] - 1/22/2007
Rep LaTourette, Steven C. [OH-14] - 4/19/2007
Rep Marshall, Jim [GA-8] - 4/19/2007
Rep McCotter, Thaddeus G. [MI-11] - 2/27/2007
Rep Norwood, Charles W. [GA-10] - 1/30/2007
Rep Paul, Ron [TX-14] - 1/22/2007
Rep Regula, Ralph [OH-16] - 2/8/2007
Rep Saxton, Jim [NJ-3] - 2/8/2007
Rep Stearns, Cliff [FL-6] - 1/22/2007
Rep Tancredo, Thomas G. [CO-6] - 2/16/2007
Rep Tiberi, Patrick J. [OH-12] - 2/8/2007
Rep Wamp, Zach [TN-3] - 1/22/2007
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. CON. RES. 40
Expressing the sense of Congress that the United States should not engage in the construction of a North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Superhighway System or enter into a North American Union with Mexico and Canada.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 22, 2007
Mr. GOODE (for himself, Mr. WAMP, Mr. JONES of North Carolina, Mr. PAUL, Mr. STEARNS, Mr. DUNCAN, and Ms. FOXX) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of Congress that the United States should not engage in the construction of a North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Superhighway System or enter into a North American Union with Mexico and Canada.
Whereas the United States Departments of State, Commerce, and Homeland Security participated in the formation of the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) on March 23, 2005, representing a tri-lateral agreement between the United States, Canada, and Mexico designed, among other things, to facilitate common regulatory schemes between these countries;
Whereas reports issued by the SPP indicate that it has implemented regulatory changes among the three countries that circumvent United States trade, transportation, homeland security, and border security functions and that the SPP will continue to do so in the future;
Whereas the actions taken by the SPP to coordinate border security by eliminating obstacles to migration between Mexico and the United States actually makes the United States-Mexico border less secure because Mexico is the primary source country of illegal immigrants into the United States;
Whereas according to the Department of Commerce, United States trade deficits with Mexico and Canada have significantly increased since the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA);
Whereas the economic and physical security of the United States is impaired by the potential loss of control of its borders attendant to the full operation of NAFTA and the SPP;
Whereas the regulatory and border security changes implemented and proposed by the SPP violate and threaten United States sovereignty;
Whereas a NAFTA Superhighway System from the west coast of Mexico through the United States and into Canada has been suggested as part of a North American Union to facilitate trade between the SPP countries;
Whereas the State of Texas has already begun planning of the Trans-Texas Corridor, a major multi-modal transportation project beginning at the United States-Mexico border, which would serve as an initial section of a NAFTA Superhighway System;
Whereas it could be particularly difficult for Americans to collect insurance from Mexican companies which employ Mexican drivers involved in accidents in the United States, which would likely increase the insurance rates for American drivers;
Whereas future unrestricted foreign trucking into the United States can pose a safety hazard due to inadequate maintenance and inspection, and can act collaterally as a conduit for the entry into the United States of illegal drugs, illegal human smuggling, and terrorist activities; and
Whereas a NAFTA Superhighway System would likely include funds from foreign consortiums and be controlled by foreign management, which threatens the sovereignty of the United States: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That--
(1) the United States should not engage in the construction of a North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Superhighway System;
(2) the United States should not allow the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) to implement further regulations that would create a North American Union with Mexico and Canada; and
(3) the President of the United States should indicate strong opposition to these acts or any other proposals that threaten the sovereignty of the United States.
Where to check on the status of this bill:
Thomas.loc search for HCR 40
Cross Border Trucking Program-Invites Public Comment 