Mayor Parker heading to DC to support light rail and NASA

Will meet Ray LaHood

Vilas Bhuchar, Mar 15, 10.

Mayor Annise Parker said she will reiterate her support for METRO’s planned light rail expansion during her visit to Washington D.C. this week, where she will meet with U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, members of Congress, and NASA Administrator Charles Bolden (to seek reconsideration of the cancellation of NASA’s constellation program), according to Guidry News.

Parker’s comments came during a City Hall press conference this afternoon and only one week after she raised questions about the financial plausibility of the planned University and Uptown lines. Despite her concerns, she stressed that she strongly supports the expansion of Houston light rail and wants the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to know that the city is committed to light rail, notes the story:

“I strongly believe the funding is secure,” Parker said. “However, due to the revelations of the last few weeks and the ongoing district attorney’s investigation, it is important that Washington hear from me that Houston remains committed to this project.”

Parker is also asking all members of the METRO Board of Directors to refrain from making any major decisions until the five appointments she is making to the nine-member Metro board this week have been confirmed by Houston City Council and begin working as METRO board members, according to the story.

Comments

Dots Connector said:

Mixed signals are being sent to Washington by our city. DC operates differently than we do down here. The small town politics we play in the 4th largest city will result in the funding going somewhere else because there are 100 cities waiting in line with lobbyist hired to get the money for their client. Wake up Houston! You can’t have a 1st class bus system with out lights, shelters, and sidewalks. Where is the committment from the city?

Posted on Mar 16, 10 at 6:26 pm

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