TURF gets 90-day stay on TxDot toll-road campaign

Houston Chronicle Article

Attorney Charles Riley (photo)

Austin — Activists targeting a Texas Department of Transportation toll-road campaign got some extra time to develop their case from a state judge Thursday.

The state attorney general's office, representing TxDOT, wanted state District Judge Orlinda Naranjo of Travis County to dismiss the case, which seeks to stop state spending on the Keep Texas Moving campaign and on any toll-road lobbying efforts by the agency.

Keep Texas Moving is an effort by TxDOT to solve the state's transportation issues. Terri Hall of Texans Uniting for Reform and Freedom, which brought the case, contends the campaign violates a state prohibition on state officers or employees using their authority for political purposes.

The state says it is acting legally, that Hall doesn't have standing to bring the lawsuit, and that work is completed on the campaign's current phase anyway, so the lawsuit is moot. Naranjo agreed to a 90-day continuance sought by the group, which wants to gather more documents and possibly take depositions from officials, according to TURF lawyer Charles Riley. Former candidate for attorney general David Van Os also signed on to represent the group.
"This is a good day for Texas taxpayers," Hall said.

In fighting a three-month delay, Assistant Attorney General Kristina W. Silcocks said, "State employees do not need to have this hanging over their head."

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