Unfolding Texas Transit

Texas state's comptroller launches a battle against the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority. Is this a debate about transit, or just bad politics?

1 minute read

March 18, 2005, 9:00 AM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen


The Comptroller for Texas has demanded the resignation of the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority Chairman and Board Member following a scathing audit. Insider write in to report that there are questions about whether this brewing battle is a debate over future transit policy, or just poorly-planned political posturing:

"State Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn beat her drums and sounded her trumpets Wednesday as she issued her highly critical report on the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority, which will manage the $1.4 billion toll road system in this part of Texas.

But the report itself didn't offer much new outrage that hadn't been already reported in this newspaper. And much of the report's criticism regarding toll roads is grounded in policy differences, not wrongdoing."

Related stories:

  • No exit from politics in toll road report
  • Comptroller Strayhorn Calls for Resignation of CTRMA Board Chairman and Member; Cites Favoritism and Self Interest in Special Report
  • Thanks to Chris Steins

    Thursday, March 10, 2005 in Austin American-Statesmen

    Young Professional

    I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

    I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

    Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

    Get top-rated, practical training for planners

    "Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

    Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

    A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

    October 28, 2026 - Zachary Whalen

    A car drives through a puddle, making a large splash. Rain pours down.

    California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour

    If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.

    October 28, 2026 - Grist

    Lake Powell with much of the water evaporated.

    Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River

    Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.

    October 30, 2026 - Yale Environment 360

    People walking by a brick school in Cambridge.

    After public outcry, Massachusetts city releases housing development tracker

    Cambridge’s tracker currently shows 250 housing projects in various stages of development.

    45 minutes ago - Smart Cities Dive

    A rendering of the park, with green grass and a bass sculpture that looks like several tall arches in a row.

    40 years after approval, Chicago breaks ground on new park

    The park honors Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, the city’s first permanent non-native settler.

    1 hour ago - Block Club Chicago

    the New Mexico State capital building, made of orange clay

    ‘Hoodwinked:’ New Mexico bill aimed at microgrids paves way for data center development

    In an interview with High Country News, Padilla said the legislation “ignited” New Mexico's economy.

    2 hours ago - High Country News