Move to privatize Texas State Railroad deserves a cooling off period, just like toll roads
BOB LEWIS Dallas and Jacksonville

State Sen. Robert Nichols' reason for insisting the state take the toll road fast track off the legislation path for a cooling off period, while the details are mapped out....is good and practical and good representation by our senator.

The same problem exists if the State of Texas allows an outside company to come in and take over the operation of the Texas State Railroad. There is not a way to get it back, unless the method and price is carefully put into the contract way in advance of the company taking over.

None of this is being done while Rusk and Palestine plan to take over the Texas State Railroad, and then to hand it over to a tiny, out-of-state company from Colorado run by a guy with insufficient capital to keep the Texas State Railroad maintained.

But Sen. Nichols has sponsored the Senate Bill that will make all of this happen almost immediately, if it passes...and it has a head of steam up because the state boys (TPWD) don't want to put any money into maintaining the state park that houses the Texas State Railroad at this time.

They had rather make a static display of the wonderful trains and cars that are the pride of the Texas State Railroad...that our children love and that school teachers take classes to ride.

Sen. Nichols' original intentions were good...to try to provide a means of keeping the railroad running.

But, the same practical reasons exist for delaying the railroad give away as the toll road give away.

This should be delayed for the very same reason that the toll road is delayed. Sen. Nichols, please take your bill off the table and force the state to do the right job .... not just run away from its responsibility.