In the past few months, I have had the pleasure of experiencing the essence of "municipal" government. The Collin County Commissioners Court appointed a 37-person committee representing cities and towns throughout the county to develop a proposed transportation bond program. The committee was supported by an independent consultant, as well as by the city/town and county staffs. During this process, it was gratifying to have a comfort level contacting the committee members and commissioners to plead the case on behalf of our citizens for Plano to receive its fair share of the bond proposal. I saw local lobbying at its best. A number of Plano citizens, my colleagues on council and city staff worked very hard to advocate a precedent setting allocation to Plano for street rehabilitation.

In my opinion, the result of the recommendation was not optimal from Plano's perspective, but extremely encouraging. (Naturally, I want the biggest slice of the pie possible for our city!) This proposal signifies forward thinking on the part of the commissioners to understand Plano's position as it relates to the county's growth. As the mature city in the county, maintenance of the arterials/thoroughfares that the vast majority of COLLIN COUNTY citizens use everyday, such as Spring Creek, Coit, El Dorado, Alma, Custer, Legacy, McDermott, is imperative. The 2007 bond proposal provides funding for maintenance of these major thoroughfares in addition to other vital county roadways. I strongly urge you to vote FOR the upcoming Collin County Bond Proposition.

Why do we need these bonds for roads?

• In 2006, Collin County added 88 people per day and 94 cars per day.
• The population in 2030 is estimated at 1,200,000 compared to about 700,000 today. (Population wise, we are one of the fastest growing counties in the United States.)
• Infrastructure must keep pace with the growth.
• These county arterials/thoroughfares, which carry countywide and city/town traffic in and between the cities and towns, are clearly defined in the county's 2007 Mobility Plan.

What does the bond package provide? Why vote FOR this proposal?

• The 2007 bond proposal would allow Plano to issue $41 million worth of bonds and the county will match that amount.
• It totals $235.6 million in county funds with $195 million of that going to the cities.
• When combined with city/town funding, this totals $484.7 million in transportation improvement benefits to the citizens of Collin County.
• The 2007 proposal addresses the substantial growth outside the major cities and aging infrastructure in mature areas.

What is the impact to the tax rate?

• This represents no tax hike
• Collin County is one of the few counties in Texas to have the AAA bond rating reflecting its strong management. (The Commissioners Court would not put that in jeopardy.)

I applaud alternative and critical thinking, however, an alternate idea that wants to strike this proposal down for one where county funds would no longer be available for these arterials/thoroughfares is not viable. The alternate idea favors what is known as "backbone roads." These are primarily major federal and state regional freeways such as US75, SH121, US380, and the new Outer Loop. There are definite problems with this alternative:

• Although "backbone roads" are important, transportation and congestion issues in Collin County cannot be addressed without a plan that includes the connecting arterials/thoroughfares.
• The alternative idea leaves the total funding of critical 6-lane divided thoroughfares entirely up to the cities rather than the 50-50 county/city split under the current system and continued in the 2007 bond proposal.
• Funding and maintenance of state and federal highways should be the primary responsibility of the state, not the county.

The transportation bond proposal is the result of intensive evaluation and discussion. The program is balanced in its approach and an effectively addresses current and future congestion throughout the county. I will continue to fight for our fair share in the future. This proposal capitalizes on the power of combining county and city/town funding to coordinate and expedite critical projects.

I strongly urge you to go out and vote FOR YOUR block, YOUR neighborhood, and YOUR city. If Plano citizens support this initiative, it will pass. However, this collaborative initiative is not only about YOUR block, YOUR neighborhood, and YOUR city, but also about OUR County. So, encourage your friends in Collin County to support the proposal as well.

Exercise your right on Election Day, November 6!

Click HERE to locate the early voting polling location nearest you.