AG: Legality of Uptown Project Beyond Attorney Purview

The Examiner’s Landan Kuhlmann writes about Andy Taylor and the Texas Attorney General’s ruling on the Uptown bus deal:

Attorney Andy Taylor and concerned citizens held a press conference last Tuesday morning at Masraff’s Restaurant to discuss Paxton’s ruling.

When the bond was narrowly authorized by voters in 2003, it approved a light rail route along Post Oak Boulevard. Taylor claims that Metro breached that contract by changing course and choosing to build the Bus Rapid Transit through Uptown instead without the public’s approval. He has previously filed a lawsuit to cease construction.

“If you thought it was important enough to get the voters’ approval to do light rail, why wouldn’t you think it’s important enough to go back to the voters and ask for permission to deviate from the promise you made?” Taylor asked Tuesday.

While Metro is allegedly arguing that the contract simply authorized $640 million in bond money, Taylor says stipulations move far beyond tax dollars.


Photo: Craig Moseley