Rep. Culberson Protects Residents & Businesses Along Richmond and Post Oak

The House Appropriations Committee today approved the spending bill for the Departments of Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD), which included a provision that prohibits federal funding for two unaffordable and unwanted light rail projects in Congressional District 7.

My primary responsibilities as a congressman include protecting the taxpayers and protecting the quality of life in our neighborhoods. This new law will help ensure that METRO does not build more rail than the taxpayers can afford. I want to thank Houston METRO Chairman Gilbert Garcia for working with me and agreeing to withdraw METRO’s opposition to my amendment with the changes I added today. My amendment guarantees that taxpayers and voters will have the final say on when, where and how much additional rail is built in Houston. I will continue to work with Houston METRO to find other areas of agreement where we can help reduce traffic congestion and give Houstonians back more of their own time.

The proposed rail line on Richmond was not on the ballot in 2003 when Houston voters narrowly approved a light rail referendum. My amendment to the fiscal year 2016 THUD bill continues to protect homeowners and businesses owners along Richmond Avenue west of Shepherd and Post Oak Boulevard who do not want the rail built, while also allowing METRO to apply for future federal funds only if the rail lines are approved by voters in a new election.

Chairman Garcia has been committed to making METRO more transparent and accountable, and I am especially pleased that our agreed upon amendment today will make METRO the first transit agency in America to require voter approval of a very detailed and very specific transportation plan before they can move forward with construction.