Who are the “citizens” funding a campaign to sway Williamson County residents on an important half-billion-dollar decision?
In a little less than a month, WilCo residents will go to the ballot box and vote on whether to approve an additional $447 million in new debt for road and park improvements. Hoping to coax them into voting “yes” is an appropriately named political action committee named Citizens for Safety, Quality Roads, and Parks.
And despite virtually no public criticism around the half-billion dollar proposal, this PAC is investing big bucks to ensure residents approve it; the “citizens” PAC currently has a whopping $150,000 to spend on swaying residents to support the bond.
And the “citizens” funding the PAC? It turns out that they have some weird names.
One is HDR Inc. While he might be from Omaha, Nebraska, he thinks Williamson County, Texas, could do with some more safety, quality roads, and parks—so much so that he gave $10,000 to ensure the county gets them!
Another is WSB & Associates. She and her “associates” are from Minneapolis, Minnesota, but they’re also fans of Williamson County infrastructure projects—fans to the tune of $10,000!
Last but certainly not least is HNTB Corporation from Kansas City, Missouri. Whoever that is gave $20,000 to ensure Williamson County voters approve the proposed public works program!
These folks might be from far-flung corners of the country, but one thing unites them—building roads and parks in a Texas county. These are all engineering and construction firms, and curiously enough, many already have financial deals with Williamson County for transportation projects!
HDR Inc. has received hundreds of thousands from the county, WSB & Associates nearly a million, and HNTB Corporation multiple millions since 2006.
As far as the PAC, $55,000 of its total funds comes from these out-of-state engineering and construction corporations, while the other nearly $100,000 is from similar companies in Texas.
And even though many of these corporations will cash in if the bond passes, why are they pouring in so much money to support the proposal when it currently has no opposition?
Real Williamson County citizens can find out more information about the bond projects by clicking here.
