Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff covered a need for airport improvements to another call for light rail to pointing out cultural improvements in the making in an upbeat 'State of the County' address to top political and business leaders today, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
Wolff began by defending his and Mayor Ron Nirenberg's decision to drop out of the running to host Amazon's 'second headquarters,' saying the taxpayer funded incentives Amazon is expecting are not sustainable.
"Wisconsin gave up $3 billion for (cell phone maker) Foxconn," Wolff said. "That will cost their local taxpayers $15,000 every year...every year...for each job that they bring."
Wolff cited investments by firms as varied as Hulu and the Indian manufacturing company Indo-Mim as recent economic development successes, completed without 'giving away the farm' in the form of taxpayer money.
Wolff said the Amazon proposal made him think of several areas where San Antonio needs to make improvements. They include air passenger service, public transit, and cultural amenities.
They also include a new push for a light rail transportation system, Wolff in the past has proposed the freight line that runs from The Rim to downtown paralleling Interstate 10 as a possible route, as well as improvements to the bus system, more places for bicycles, and a continued focus on the development of driverless cars.
Wolff suggested the creation of an 'independent regional airport authority' which would combine the assets of San Antonio International Airport, Port San Antonio, and Stinson Field to develop passenger airport infrastructure.
"Port San Antonio can change the dynamics of air service," Wolff said. "It has a tremendous asset in the 11,500 foot landing runway and the capacity to add another runway. This compares to only 8500 feet of runways at San Antonio Airport. The runway has the capacity for general aviation and for larger international aircraft including passenger service and air cargo."
The Judge also delivered a ringing endorsement of the North American Free Trade Agreement, which is currently under fire from the Trump Adminsitration, calling the 25 year old trade agreement an 'unmitigated success.'
He said NAFTA is a big reason why Toyota and its 7,000 jobs are in San Antonio.He rejected claims that NAFTA and other trade agreements have damaged American manufacturing.
"Our two trade partners buy $600 billion in U.S. manufactured good every years," Wolff said. "Mexico is the third largest importer of American goods, and Canada is second."