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<br />they have been putting pressure on the legislators about this matter. He said it <br />was really funny that Plano had a big announcement and they lured a company <br />out of Dallas. They gave them all kinds of tax abatements and went into <br />Chapter 380, giving them tax refunds. This is another thing that Solis wants to <br />talk about as the legislature is considering it. <br /> <br />Mr. Walters advised that it would be a good idea to provide the information <br />needed to the new members of the legislature, as well as those on the committee <br />and that it is important to sell the program on its positive merits. <br /> <br />Director Wall reported that he and Mr. Vest attended the annual meeting of the <br />East Texas Gulf Highway Association in Pittsburg last Monday. There were six <br />people from Paris and a total of 33 present. He said that TxDOT has a <br />tremendous shortfall and the group was informed that TxDOT has funding for <br />only 33 to 35% of the projects. Director Wall said Highway 271 was the major <br />topic of this group and the report from the local Paris District Engineer said that <br />the bridges are federally funded and they are still going to stay in and Hwy. 271 <br />bridges are going to be let in the year 2004. Director Wall is hopeful that they <br />will still get funding to start the four lane highway from Paris to Pattonville. <br />The Atlanta District advised them that their bridges, White Oak Creek and the <br />three bridges that will be in Titus County on 271, are moved back to letting in <br />2009. The Atlanta District is going before the Texas Highway Commission in <br />Austin in February and they have committed to being there to support Mt. <br />Pleasant in that. They are going down for highway funding to fund their S. W. <br />Loop, which is a four-lane bypass around Mt. Pleasant on 271. They want to <br />work that direction coming back this way, but the bridges will be a holdup until <br />2009. He remarked that this project is going to take several years before it is <br />completed. Director Wall said they were going before the Commission in Tyler <br />January 3, 2003, and they are not going as a delegation, to give a presentation <br />this year, but as a part of the Atlanta District with District Engineer Mary <br />Owens. We will still support the three projects on Hwy. 271, but they are going <br />to lead in her support of getting a four-lane, divided highway section on <br />Hwy. 135 from Calgary and Gladewater, which has been their third priority up <br /> <br /> <br />