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Eminent Domain To Be Used In Trans-Texas Corridor Project

--Largest Land Grab In Texas History

Austin, Texas -- The Trans-Texas Corridor (TTC)

project championed by Gov. Rick Perry will bring about

mass evictions of Texans from their homes, farms, and

ranches, according to an online video released by a

citizen group.

An official web site promoting the TTC project

confirms plans for use of eminent domain to evict

families from their homes in record numbers.

"This is the largest land-grab in Texas history. Perry

plans to force Texas families from their homes,

kicking and screaming, so a foreign company can profit

for the next 50 years. And, the details of the land

grab are still being withheld from the public, for

more than a year." said Sal Costello, founder of

People for Efficient Transportation PAC.

A new video has been created by the group to help

inform more Texans of the more than half a million

acre Perry TTC plan, and it is easily available for

viewing online at StopPerryLandGrab.com. The video was

also created to shine a light on the secret deal made

between Gov. Perry and Cintra behind closed doors that

will result in the start of the massive evictions in

order to begin construction the TTC, according to

Costello.

In an effort to help the public visualize the impact

of the TTC, the video shows a cartoon of Perry

literally kicking families out of their homes and off

their farms and ranches all across Texas.

"Texas families getting kicked out of their homes to

benefit foreign construction companies is a horrific

lottery with scary odds," said Costello. "They are

forcing the TTC on Texans, and depending where they

draw the line on the map will determine who gets

booted from their homes."

The Texas Dept. of Transportation (TxDOT) has

confirmed the plans in the "Myth vs. Reality" section

of a web site created to promote the TTC plans (see

http://www.keeptexasmoving.org/faqs/myth_vs_reality.aspx).

"The video also focuses on the TTC contract that has

been kept a secret for over a year. A lawsuit was

filed in June of 2005 to keep the details from being

made public. The attorney general ruled the contract

must be made public over a year ago. Why is the deal

still a secret after a whole year?" asked Costello.

(Cintra Zachry, LP and the TxDOT vs Greg Abbott,

District Court of Travis County, GN502207.)

The site does not deny the concerns expressed by the

opposition of thousands of angry Texans who have

appeared at recent hearings. Instead it provides

excuses and justifications for the actions that are

planned, and actually confirms those plans.

"Their own web site clearly states that property will

be taken through eminent domain, and that they plan to

use ‘Quick Take' authorized by HB 3588 to force

homeowners out in just 91 days. They even state that

they plan to do this just as soon as the environmental

process and public hearings are completed," explained

Costello.

"They admit that large amounts of farm land will be

divided by the TTC, but they excuse it away by saying

they will build cross over roads and places for

livestock to cross under. They also admit that

hundreds of thousands of acres of properties will be

taken off the tax roles, costing local governments in

lost taxes," he added.

The TTC site responds to concerns that the right of

"quick-take" will be used to take private property for

the TTC project by explaining how quick-take works. It

does not, however, deny that quick-take will be used.

"The state has attempted to create an illusion that

there is nothing to worry about and the fears that

have been expressed at hearings all over the state are

unfounded. In reality a careful reading of their own

web site reveals that the state has confirmed all

those fears," said Costello.

Contact:

Sal Costello

People for Efficient Transportation PAC

512-288-9991

Sal@TexasTollParty.com

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