January 22, 2016 - TRA Newswire

Senator Don Huffines, who serves as Vice-Chair of the Transportation Committee, said that the state must embrace innovative solutions like private sector high speed rail. "Private sector ingenuity and innovation will bear great promise for the future of Texas". Senator Huffines spoke before attendees at the 12th Annual Southwestern Rail Conference in Dallas, hosted by Texas Rail Advocates.

Huffines said that "the rail industry is the foundation of our state and continues to be a huge driver of our economic prosperity." By moving goods by rail it helps relieve congestion on our roads, said Huffines. "The state must keep supporting initiatives like freight rail and other innovative private sector transportation projects. The state should always work to promote businesses to participate in the transportation industry."

"Early fund raising success has proven that Texans are willing and eager to invest in a private sector free market solution to moving Texans across our great state", according to Huffines. "Texans will prove that this project can be accomplished without state dollars. The state of Texas will not spend any money on this project and we will not guarantee any of the debt. I applaud Texas Central Railway for developing this project and I look forward to boarding the high speed train to Houston as soon as possible." The senator chided that he wished the high speed line was being built to Austin where he has to travel all the time. "I think I-35 is a lot worse", according to Huffines.