The North Texas GLBT Chamber Board of Directors has joined with 9 other Dallas area chambers of commerce and with city leaders in opposition to the Trinity Parkway referendum that will be decided by Dallas voters on November 6. In September the Chamber asked its members to voice their opinion on the referendum via an online survey. Members were also invited to attend the board’s September 12 meeting where representative for and against the Trinity Parkway referendum made presentations and answered questions.

 

The Chamber survey asked Members to tell us if they support the referendum, oppose the referendum, are undecided or are not Dallas voters. With a response rate of approximately 25%, Dallas voters who responded opposed the referendum 2:1.

At its September meeting the Chamber Board welcomed Dallas City Council member Angela Hunt who spoke in support of the Trinity Parkway referendum and former Dallas City Council members Ed Oakley and Valetta Lill who spoke in opposition to the referendum. After the individual presentations, all parties responded to questions from the Board and the Chamber Members in attendance. 

 

Following the presentations and Q&A, the Board voted first on whether or not to take any position and then voted on the position resolution. The Board voted in favor of taking a position on the issue based on the clear business implications presented by the Trinity River Project and the referendum. Taking into accountissues such as traffic, air quality and business attraction, as well as the effects on quality of life and taxation, the Board voted overwhelmingly in support of a resolution opposing the referendum and urging its members and Dallas voters to vote NO on the Trinity Parkway referendum on November 6. [Read the resolution; see the other Chambers who oppose the referendum]

 

The current project design offers traffic congestion relief for 100,000 cars per day, flood protection for area businesses, improved air quality, job creation and economic development, and park and recreation amenities.

 

The Chamber Board believes that it is important that the Trinity River Project move forward. If the Trinity Parkway referendum (Proposition 1) is not defeated on November 6, there will be serious consequences for the North Texas Region. The Trinity River Project will be delayed at least five years, Dallas could lose millions in state and federal money, and Dallas taxpayers will be responsible for footing the bill for the additional funding needed due to the delay. 

Trinity Parkway Referendum - Yes website http://trinityvote.com/
NTTA Trinity Parkway webpage http://www.ntta.org/AboutUs/Projects/TrinityParkway.htm


Area Chambers of Commerce in Opposition to the Trinity Referendum on November 6 include:

• North Texas GLBT Chamber of Commerce
• Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce
• Greater Dallas Asian Chamber of Commerce
• Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce
• Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
• North Dallas Chamber of Commerce
• Oak Cliff Chamber of Commerce
• Southeast Dallas Chamber of Commerce
• Stemmons Corridor Business Association
• West Dallas Chamber of Commerce