Perry win in Texas is one for tolls, P3s

Good news for the future of tolling and P3s in Texas is the decisive win by incumbent Governor Rick Perry over centrist US senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and Debra Medina, a fringe rightwinger. Both his challengers for Republican primary for governor tried to demagogue against Perry on tolls. Both promised voters tighter restrictions on tolling, including P3s.

Perry won 51% of the votes to Hutchinson 30%, Medina 19% in polling yesterday. Local pundits had been predicting a Hutchison win early in the race.

The state legislature remains less friendly, but at least the GOP primary indicates that anti-toll talk in Texas as expressed by both Hutchinson and Medina is no sure means to political advancement.

TOLLROADSnews 2010-03-03