POLITICAL MONEY AND THE TRANS TEXAS CORRIDOR
One of the many “shadow figures” that seem to be emerging concerning the TTC is Paul A. Yarossi, president of HNTB Holdings, Ltd., based in New York City.
First, HNTB is locally associated in the Dallas Fort Worth Region with three main projects. Major design and contractor in both the Dallas “High Five” interchange and Terminal D at DFW International Airport, and as a special consultant for the Regional Transportation Commission of the North Central Texas Council of Governments -- in fact, HNTB even designed the website for the RTC.
The third item is what is of most interest since the RTC is helping to decide a system of Toll Roads that the TTC must have for success. Dallas and Fort Worth sit atop the major NAFTA corridor, Interstate 35.
It may be no coincidence that HNTB also operates Tolls Roads and constructs bridges and railways.
But back to Yarossi. He seems to understand the relation between “political contributions” and successfully getting contracts inked.
Consider, for example, he contributed $3,000 to Texans for Rick Perry in 2004. Or that he contributed $2,000 to Michael Krusee, Chair of the Transportation Committee, Texas House District 52. in 2006.
Perhaps these Republicans should not be smug. Yarossi also contributed to Hillary Clinton $2,000 in 2006 and has contributed to both Political Parties in New Jersey for years. He does, primarily, seem to contribute to Republican causes outside of New Jersey though.
But why single out Yarossi? Perhaps because he also co-chairs the American Road & Transportation Builders Association’s “SAFETEA-LU Reauthorization Task Force.” They are to offer their suggestions for Federal Legislative Actions by 2009. Meanwhile he also co-chairs ARTBA’s Grassroots Strike Force, about 30 national firms.
National firms equal “Grassroots?” WHAT?
Meanwhile, Perry shows a pattern. For example, after a pharmaceutical corporation gave him a few thousand dollars, he issued an executive order that all public school girls must receive a vaccine from that corporation by the age of 12 (the order was revoked by the Texas Legislature and Public Opinion.). Now, he gets a few thousand dollars, and HNTB rolls onward.
Paul A. Yarossi seems to understand the effect of “political contributions” and success in business contracts paid for by taxpayers.
