![]() Other lawmakers plan to file legislation to slam the brakes on the project. Abbott “clarified that and I’m extremely appreciative of that.” Ben Leman, R-Anderson, said in an interview last month. “Naturally, I was disappointed to see the letter because it expressed support for the project based on what I knew to be inaccurate information,” state Rep. In 2016, at a Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce gathering, Abbott said that these kinds of projects cannot be a “money-losing proposition.” During the 2017 legislative session, he signed a bill prohibiting the state from funding high-speed rail projects.īut his October letter to the Japanese prime minister alarmed some lawmakers whose districts are in the path of the proposed rail line. The bank had signed an agreement with Texas Central in August 2018 that would provide a loan of up to $300 million to the company.Ībbott had previously preached caution about the project. Texas Central plans to use Japanese technology similar to that used for the famous Shinkansen bullet train and the company could receive a loan from a Japanese public financial institution.ĭuring a September 2019 trip to Japan, Abbott rode the bullet train and signed a memorandum of understanding with the Japan Bank for International Cooperation that would promote collaboration between the two regions. The governor’s office has not responded to multiple follow-up questions about the results of its review and has not explained why Abbott didn’t know the project lacked permits or who Abbott was relying upon for information about the project.Ībbott’s office also has declined to say whether he has sent subsequent correspondence to Suga. As a result, the Governor’s Office will re-evaluate this matter after gathering additional information from all affected parties,” Wittman added. “The Governor’s team has learned that the information it was provided was incomplete. ![]() “From the beginning of this project, the Governor made clear that he could support this project if, and only if, the private property rights of Texans are fully respected,” Abbott spokesman John Wittman told the Tribune on Oct. ![]() When contacted by the Tribune with this information, Abbott’s office said it would review the matter. The Texas Tribune found that Texas Central, the Dallas- and Houston-based company in charge of the project, is far from receiving all permits needed to build the 240-mile line, which would stretch from Dallas to Houston and cost around $20 billion, according to the company. Abbott told Suga that the company developing the high-speed rail line had “all the necessary permits to begin construction.” 2 letter also included a significant error. Public support and momentum are on our side, and this project can be completed swiftly.” Last month, Abbott sent a letter to Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga saying: “This venture has my full support as Governor of Texas, and I am hopeful that final negotiations of this project with Japan can be concluded so that construction can begin. Greg Abbott recently signaled his support for the project in a letter to Japan’s prime minister, although his spokesperson later said that Abbott’s office will “re-evaluate this matter.” ![]() Less than two months before the Texas Legislature begins its next session, the yearslong battle over a controversial high-speed rail project is expected to spark more legislative skirmishes.Īnd after years of public skepticism, Gov. Legislators are expected to file bills to regulate high-speed rail projects during their next session.īy Juan Pablo Garnham for The Texas Tribune | Nov. Greg Abbott said that the company had all the permits needed, but later he had to backtrack. In a letter to the Japanese prime minister, Gov.
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