Texas Bullet Train Company Owes Hundreds of Thousands in Property Taxes

As Dug Begley reports, the company planning to build a Houston to Dallas bullet train owes hundreds of thousands of dollars in unpaid property taxes. “At least $623,000 in property taxes owed by Texas Central Railroad are delinquent, according to a brief filed with the Texas Supreme Court in an ongoing condemnation lawsuit, filed by county attorneys from nine of the 11 counties through which the train is planned to run.”

“Combined with a number of other developments — Texas Central shedding staff during the pandemic, state and federal lawmakers opposing its efforts to tap federal loan programs — opponents say it is less likely the project will proceed.”

The proposed train has been in the works for years, but has not received final approval to start building. “Planned since 2013, the project, which has received some federal approvals but not final authorization to start construction, would build a 240-mile sealed railroad corridor mostly along an electrical transmission line easement between Houston and Dallas.”

According to Begley, “First, Texas Central will need to pay its taxes on numerous properties it purchased as it prepared for construction. Though it has yet to condemn a parcel, Texas Central has been aggressively buying properties it knows it will need for the current route.”

Part of the problem stems from the company’s legal status. “At issue is whether Texas Central — which does not operate trains and does not own an inch of railroad tracks in Texas capable of carrying people or goods — is a railroad in the eyes of the law. Opponents say because it is not operating as a railroad and shows no sign of operating anytime soon, Texas Central cannot condemn land using powers afforded to railroads.” Meanwhile, opponents of the project say they will continue to fight the train as long as the proposal remains alive.