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150 voice concerns about state railroad
Persons came from Rusk, Jacksonville and Palestine, as well as from throughout East Texas to attend the meeting. "We want to let everyone know what is happening and bring you up to speed on activities concerning the Texas State Railroad," said Sen. Nichols. "We have three options with the railroad. They are to finance it under the Parks and Wildlife Commission; operate it with a private group; or shut it down. However no one supports the third option," Sen. Nichols said. "We must have another plan in place in case the state does not fund the railroad," Sen. Nichols said. "All bills must be filed by March 9 to be considered this session, he told his audience Friday night. This is why a bill to allow the privatizing of the railroad as well as one asking for funding will be considered. We really won't know what the future of the railroad will be until mid-May," Sen. Nichols said. "In the mid-1990s a bill was passed that would give parks revenue from a special sporting goods tax. Then a cap allowing only up to $32 million was placed on this tax. If that cap was removed the sporting goods tax would generate $105 million. However Texas State Railroad and the Battleship Texas are not included in the parks budget to receive a portion of this tax revenue," State Rep. Hopson said. "Everyone here ought to thank Texas Parks and Wildlife Commissioner (John) Parker for his work for the railroad. He has devoted many, many hours to the train," Rep. Hopson said. "I thought when I got the bill passed making the Texas State Railroad the official state railroad we would be safe, but that doesn't seem to matter with some," Rep. Hopson said. A bill has been filed by Harvey Hilderbran, R-Kerrville, to remove the cap on the sporting goods tax, Rep. Hopson reported at the meeting. Rep. Hopson has added his support to the bill. Commissioner Parker said, "I came to Texas by way of Oklahoma, but got here as fast as I could. I am a small town person. Texas has three crown jewels in its parks system. They are San Jacinto Monument, the Battleship Texas and the Texas State Railroad. The others are important, but these preserve our history and the heritage of the state. My parents and teachers brought me up to appreciate heritage and history. The battle of the Texas State Railroad will be won by the free press." Dr. Michael Banks was recognized as a man who organized the group to Save Texas Parks. "He has worked days on days and hours upon hours. He spent a fortune of his own money," Mr. Parker said. Parks and Wildlife has cut its budget every year since the 76th Legislative Session for a total of almost 30 percent. "We cannot offer goods and services without money," Mr. Parker said. Sen. Nichols said as soon as he became a part of the Texas Senate, two senators, approached him and said, "We have got to save this train. Now if we can just get a majority of the senate and the house pushing for the train," he said. Steve Presley, chairman of a Texas State Railroad Operating Authority established by the cities of Palestine and Rusk to oversee the railroad operations, gave an update of what has happened thus far. In December local leaders found out that the state was closing the Palestine end of the railroad because of lack of funds to continue operations. After public hearings and meetings between local groups, Parks and Wildlife and a preservation task force was formed, the state borrowed enough money from the 2007 budget to re-open the Palestine end. The Rusk end had been operating. In April the legislative leadership informed the task force of its intentions to close the Texas State Railroad unless a private operator was found. The American Heritage Railway was the first private tourist train operator to visit the TSR. They arrived here in early 2006. Texas A&M University was employed to re-do an economic impact study in May 2006. Forever Resorts another train operator, arrived in June to inspect the train. Randy Gustafson with Stone Consulting was hired as a tourist railroad consultant. The railroad task force group met with the advisory groups from TP&WD, legislators and their representatives to discuss options in August 2006. Options were presented to representatives of the Lieutenant Governor and House Speaker's offices, Blaine Brunson and Don Green on ways to save the TSR. A fund raiser for the railroad was held in October 2006. Funding was allocated to operate the train until Aug. 31. The task force met with the Texas Film Committee in late summer 2006. Rusk Mayor Suzann McCarty said if the state does not fund the Texas State Railroad, where will we be. The City of Rusk has an interest in that real estate. She encouraged those involved to look at the choices and think of the future and not of the next few years. Palestine Mayor Dr. Çarolyn Salter said, "Texas is second in size in the nation but 47th in the operation of public land. No one in Palestine has called me and said they don't like privatization. American Heritage has 200,000 riders on its train annually. The downtown is full and the train is looking to expand its operation. Texas State Railroad has been sick for a long time. When it comes to people losing their jobs American Heritage would like to retain them." Sitting on the stage were members of the RSR Operating Authority, Steve Presley, chairman and Marie Whitehead of Rusk, Dale Brown, Palestine city manager; Bob Goldsberry, Rusk Chamber of Commerce executive director, Charles Hassell of Rusk and Dan Davis of Palestine; Sen. Nichols; and Rep. Hopson. Elected officials attending the meeting included Mayor McCarty, Mayor Salter, County Judge Chris Davis, Jacksonville Mayor Dr. Robert Haberle; and Rusk councilmembers Kris Morgan, Don Jones and Sam Florian. |
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