Rep. Wray takes legislative action to oppose high-speed rail

John Wray was sworn in as the new Texas State Representative of House District 10 on Jan. 13, 2015.

AUSTIN — As part of an ongoing effort to thwart a proposed high-speed rail project from Dallas to Houston, Representative John Wray filed HB 3915 and HB 3918, which would protect property owners rights and taxpayer funds. In addition, Wray joined fellow legislators in authoring a letter to members of the Texas Congressional delegation requesting their assistance in opposing the project.

Both House Bill 3915 and 3918 were heard in committee and are currently pending a vote. With the help of concerned residents, his legislative colleagues, and groups like Texans Against High Speed Rail, Rep. Wray clearly demonstrated the negative effects the Texas Central Railway (TCR) would have on Ellis County and other rural areas along the route.

"Since I have taken office, one of the top concerns for me and my constituents has been this rail project. I am trying to use all available avenues to protect property rights and Texans' tax dollars from this private, for-profit endeavor that is overwhelmingly detrimental to the areas it intends to cut through," Wray said.

The joint letter details the harmful effects of the project and its disproportionate impact on the nine rural counties between Dallas and Houston.

In particular, the authors emphasized the need to defend private property rights, prevent the division and loss of access to residential property and farm land, and ensure safety in the communities along the route.

Furthermore, the authors called on the members of Congress representing the affected areas to actively oppose any application by TCR for a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CCN) at the Surface Transportation Board in Washington, D.C.

If TCR receives approval from the Surface Transportation Board, it would grant the entity eminent domain authority and allow them to condemn private property to construct this railway.

Representative John Wray is a Waxahachie-native and principled conservative who represents Texas House District 10, the area encompassing Ellis County and part of Henderson County. Currently serving his first term, John sits on the Ways and Means Committee and the Homeland Security and Public Safety Committee.