Wilson’s Wheels and Deals
November 2nd, 2007 at 6:18 pm
We were reading in the paper today that current assistant House parliamentarian and former Houston state rep. Ron Wilson wants to be a Department of Public Safety Commissioner. Two Democratic legislators who knew Wilson well back when they all formed part of the Houston delegation together, Sen. Rodney Ellis and Rep. Garnet Coleman, think putting the entertainment lawyer and closet Republican on the commission would be a big mistake. “People don’t think he best fits the qualifications for running DPS not so much for past ethical problems as that he might use the position for political purposes,” says Coleman.
We were mulling over this when we looked out the window of our office and what did we see but Wilson’s unmistakable bright orange Lamborghini Diablo GT. The retail price is a mere $300,000. Of course it can zip from 0 to 60 in 3.5 seconds and its top speed is 211 mph, which means Wilson, if he chooses to break the law, can drive from Houston to Austin in 45 minutes. (The Lamborghini Web site oozes pretentious minimalism; company motto: “Every weapon needs a master.”)
Then, we noticed the car still had temporary tags, which was odd since we’ve seen the car around for what seems like years.
We approached the ex-lawmaker-turned-lawyer/lobbyist. He told us the tags were temporary because the car was new. As to the DPS, all he would say was, “My name is out there, but you never know.”
November 2nd, 2007 at 8:33 pm
HA! Great post. Temp tags on a vehicle he’s owned for years? Sounds pretty shady to me.
November 5th, 2007 at 10:07 am
That black in-transit tag is not used after the dealer has sold a car to a new owner. Instead a blue cardboard “Texas Buyer” tag is issued by the dealer and it expires 21 days after being issued. That tag you pictured has restrictions on it’s use
The tag has “FOR INTRANSIT, ROAD TESTING, DEMONSTRATION AND USE BY CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS” clearly printed on the bottom and a lawyer who wants to be a DPS Commissioner ought to know better.
TRANSPORTATION CODE
CHAPTER 503. DEALER’S AND MANUFACTURER’S VEHICLE LICENSE PLATES
SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
ยง 503.062. DEALER’S TEMPORARY CARDBOARD TAGS.
(a) A dealer may issue a temporary cardboard tag for use on an unregistered vehicle by the dealer or the dealer’s employees only to:
(1) demonstrate or cause to be demonstrated to a prospective buyer the vehicle for sale purposes only;
(2) convey or cause to be conveyed the vehicle:
(A) from one of the dealer’s places of business in this state to another of the dealer’s places of business in this state;
(B) from the dealer’s place of business to a place the vehicle is to be repaired, reconditioned, or serviced;
(C) from the state line or a location in this state where the vehicle is unloaded to the dealer’s place of business;
(D) from the dealer’s place of business to a place of business of another dealer;
(E) from the point of purchase by the dealer to the dealer’s place of business; or
(F) to road test the vehicle; or
(3) use the vehicle for or allow its use by a charitable organization.
(b) Subsection (a)(1) does not prohibit a dealer from permitting a prospective buyer to operate a vehicle while the vehicle is being demonstrated.
(c) A vehicle being conveyed under this section is exempt from the inspection requirements of Chapter 548.
November 5th, 2007 at 12:13 pm
Striaght from TxDot, Know the Law #1: Temporary Tags & Metal Dealer Plates
“Unlike the metal dealer plate, a vehicle displaying a
black tag may not be used for personal use, no matter
how seemingly innocent. Many people try to obtain a
black tag instead of registering their vehicle because
there is no expiration date on the tag. Consequently,
law enforcement officers are particularly alert to
vehicles with black tags in grocery store parking lots, malls or any other place where it appears the driver is conducting personal business.”
November 5th, 2007 at 2:36 pm
That car is definitely not new, for at least a year now it’s popped up parked in front of the Westgate. That car and his Hummer are always around.