Once again, Republicans show that they care nothing about the people, history or valuable landmarks of the state of Texas. In their zeal to save a few more pennies to refund to the rich, they are now going to give away a piece of Texas' heritage.
On September 1st, our Republican-controlled state government will give away the Texas State Railroad, which runs between Rusk and Palestine in East Texas. They are turning the railroad over to a private company -- American Heritage Railways. AHR is paying the state NOTHING! If AHR runs the railroad for the next eight years, then the state will turn over ownership of the railroad to the private company, including its vintage fleet of locomotives.
The railroad has been closed since July 8th, when a storm washed out a section of track. But adding insult to injury, the state government is going to spend $2 million to help repair the tracks before it gives away the railroad.
Why are our Republican state leaders wanting to give away this valuable bit of state history? They say it costs too much, and the state can't afford to keep it. That's just sheer nonsense!
Last year the railroad generated $1 million in income, but its upkeep and running costs are about $2.3 million a year. Texas Parks and Wildlife officials say the only way to "save" the railroad is to give it to a private company that has more "business savvy". I say maybe it's time to replace these Parks officials with people who have more "heritage savvy".
Our parks, landmarks and historical possessions are not and were never meant to be "for-profit" businesses. Their purpose is to save our historical heritage and provide recreational opportunities for all Texans. If they provide some revenue that is a plus, but they are too important to the people of Texas to give away -- even if they don't completely pay for themselves.
Republicans have just given several billion dollars in tax cuts, mostly to the rich (I bet if you were middle or working class you didn't see much of a cut). They have also set aside several billion dollars to give more tax cuts to the rich. But they want to give away part of our heritage because it would cost a tiny fraction of that money.
Texas Republican leaders should be ashamed of themselves!
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