REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
By: Lawrence Olsen
(Monday, June 21, 2004)
LT. GOV. DAVID DEWHURST TO SPEAK AT TGR ANNUAL MEETING
Lt. Governor David Dewhurst will speak during our upcoming Annual Meeting at the Four Seasons Hotel in Austin. Governor Dewhurst will appear at the banquet dinner on Wednesday night, July 7 at 7pm. Click here for a more detailed schedule.
BOCK, HELDENFELS ADDRESS MEMBERSHIP ISSUES
President Bennie Bock and Membership Drive chairman Fred Heldenfels, after consulting with members of the newly appointed committee, have decided to utilize the upcoming annual meeting as the kick off for a drive. "Fred and I decided that more of our members will learn about our need to increase our membership at our annual meeting; so, we have chosen to start a real effort in earnest immediately after our meeting ends. We have yet to decide when we will end the effort, but it is likely to be in October," added President Bock.
CONFEREES START MEETING ON FEDERAL HIGHWAY CONFERENCE
After a considerable gestation period, the leadership in the Senate and the House has named conferees and those named have begun to meet on the Federal highway reauthorization legislation. The Senate passed a $318 billion in February; the House countered with a $275 billion bill in April. Both bills cover six years in authorizations for highways, transit and other transportation department expenditures. Current authorization for highway spending in states has been extended through June 30. The last omnibus highway spending bill's six-year term ended September 30, 2003. The Senate has named 21 conferees, 11 Republicans and 10 Democrats from four different committees. The House will be represented by 52 members; 32 Republicans and 20 Democrats who will represent 10 different committees. Most of the heavy lifting will be done by those from the committees of main jurisdiction, i.e., the Senate Environment & Public Works and the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Democrat Eddie Bernice Johnson of Dallas is the only Texas representative from the T&I Committee. Majority Leader Tom Delay was named a conferee for all parts of the bill, a plus for Texas. Other Texans on the committee are Joe Barton, chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee; Lamar Smith, Judiciary; Randy Neugebauer, Science; and from the House Rules Committee, which will set the limits for debate on the conference committee report, both Republican Pete Sessions and Democrat Martin Frost. Interestingly, the two Texans on the Rules Committee will face off in District 32 in November. Neither Texas Senators, freshman John Cornyn or Kay B. Hutchison, were named to the conference by Majority Leader Bill Frist.
REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
By: Lawrence Olsen
(Wednesday, April 28, 2004)
PITCOCK JOINS ELITE TGR GROUP
Doug Pitcock became the fourth member of the Texas Goods Roads Hall of Honor April 15 during an industry luncheon in Houston. The president, chairman and CEO of Williams Brothers Construction was inducted by Bob Lanier, chairman emeritus of TGR. Lanier previously served as Chairman of the Highway Commission and as a three-term mayor of Houston. Mr. Pitcock, an original partner in the formation of Williams Brothers in 1955, has been a very active member of TGR for nearly 50 years and has served on the executive committee for many years. In addition, he is a past president of the AGC of America and has served two terms as president of the state chapter of the Highway-Heavy Utilities and Industrial Branch of the AGC of Texas. The Hall was begun in 1995. Inducted that first year were DeWitt Greer and Amarillo contractor L.P "Pete" Gilvin, both deceased. Governor Dolph Briscoe was nominated to the hall in 2000. A longer article, with more pictures, will appear in the Texas Transportation Update next month.
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BOCK CHALLENGES TGR LEADERS, 'ROUND UP MORE MEMBERS'
TGR President Bennie Bock, a Seguin car dealer, is also a Caldwell County rancher and in the parlance of the cowman, he is urging "TGR leaders to conduct a late spring-summer roundup to sign up new members." Toward that end President Bock has established a special membership committee and named past president Fred Heldenfels, IV of San Marcos to lead the group. The committee held its initial meeting April 14. Chairman Heldenfels told the group that the drive will end at the annual meeting (July 6-8), and prizes will be awarded to the top three performers. Those who attended the luncheon were Chairman Fred Heldenfels, IV, Heldenfels Enterprises; James Beauchamp, MOTRAN; James Bond, Attorney; Jeff Collins, Arcadis; Roger Hord, West Houston Association and Trey Pebley, McAllen Construction. Committee members not in attendance were Katie Nees, Carter & Burgess, Bill Summers, Rio Grande Valley Partnership and Polk County Judge John Thompson of Livingston.
GOLDEN TRIANGLE CROWD HEARS COMMISSIONER JOHNSON
Several score of Southeast Texans heard Transportation Commissioner Johnny Johnson speak April 20 about the need for quick passage of the federal highway legislation. TGR sponsored the lunch at the Beaumont Country Club with numerous local leaders in attendance, including Beaumont Mayor Evelyn Lord and members of the Jefferson County Commissioners court. Commissioner Johnson was introduced by Art Spencer of Port Arthur, a veteran of the Port Arthur Chamber, Gulf-Chevron and most significantly, a Texas Road Hand. Thanks go to Art and Walter Crook, retired TxDOT District Engineer and Port Arthur Councilman Bob Bowers for helping organize the event. New District Engineer John Barton led a strong contingent from TxDOT at the meeting.
SPECIAL SESSION BEGINS AS RUNOFFS HELP SET THE FIELD
Two more Democratic incumbents in the Texas House bit the dust in the April 13 runoffs but the handful of races featured no real nailbiters. Governor Perry's appointee to the Railroad Commissioner, former Taylor County Judge Victor Carrillo breezed to a landslide victory over the enigmatic Robert Butler of Palestine. In Congressional races for Republican nominations, it was Michael McCaul over Ben Streusand in the 10th District; Louis Gohmert of Tyler winning the 1st District (facing incumbent Max Sandlin of Marshall in November); and State Representative Arlene Wohlgemuth beating Dot Snyder in the newly drawn 17th District (to face incumbent Demo Chet Edwards in November). The Republican House primary that drew the most attention saw Rob Orr of Burleson put the pants on Sam Walls of Cleburne by a 3-2 margin.
Governor Perry, as expected for several weeks, called the 78th Legislature back for its fourth special session April 20. His aim is to reform the public school finance system and provide property tax relief. The special 29-member House Committee, chaired by Kent Grusendorf, has been conducting hearings, as has the Senate Education Committee under the leadership of Senator Florence Shapiro. Since the House must originate all revenue measures, the Senate will likely wait on the House to send it a bill before it acts.
GOLF TOURNEY WINS
Right at 100 golfers enjoyed the glories of a near perfect spring day in Central Texas during TGR’s golf outing April 26, near lake Travis.
Golf Committee Chairman Jeff Collins and his crew did an outstanding job, recruiting more than 25 teams. Capturing top prize was the crew from Capital Excavation including Chris Bradley, Gary Botkin and Jimmy Gregg.
REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
By: Lawrence Olsen
(Tuesday, March 16, 2004)
FEDS GIVE TX DOT GREEN LIGHT ON TRANS TEXAS CORRIDOR, STEP ONE
In a press conference on the front steps of the Texas Capitol, Federal Highway Administrator Mary Peters announced March 16 that her agency was agreeing to the exceptions requested by the Texas Department of Transportation in an effort to jump-start the Trans Texas Corridor procedure. Among other things, these exceptions will allow federal funding while environmental tests are being conducted.
"... Texas offers a bold concept for surface transportation that can provide a model for other states to follow," said Peters. The agreement will allow Texas and FHWA to develop a comprehensive development agreement, through which TxDOT will hire a private firm to plan, design, construct, maintain and operate the 600-mile long corridor from Oklahoma to the southern border with Mexico. Department officials added that three different partnerships are ready to begin the next stage of the bidding process. Texas Transportation Commission chairman Ric Williamson introduced Administrator Peters. Also lauding the agreement were Railroad Commission Chairman Victor Carrillo, State Senator Todd Staples, chairman of the Senate Infrastructure Committee, House Transportation Committee Chairman Mike Krusee, and a representative of U.S. Senator John Cornyn. TTC Commissioner Hope Andrade of San Antonio also attended the press conference.
U.S REP BURGESS ADDRESSES STATE LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE
The only Republican from Texas on the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Michael Burgess of Lewisville, testified before the State Senate Finance Committee March 15. Mr. Burgess, a medical doctor, was elected to U.S. House District 26 in 2002, succeeding former Majority Leader Dick Armey. Mr. Burgess was quizzed energetically by committee members about the status of the federal highway reauthorization. He told the committee that the U.S. Senate had passed its version (S. 1072) February 12 with a $318 billion spending level. The U.S. House has yet to act on its bill, H.R. 3550. U.S. House Speaker Denny Hastert of Illinois has recommended a spending level of $275 billion for the six-year bill. Mr. Burgess predicted a final bill at $305 billion.
SPRING IS NEAR; DUST OFF THOSE GOLF CLUBS
With the wet and gloomy winter quickly fading, Texans will have many sunny days and blue skies in the spring that looms around the corner. This brings to mind golf, especially Texas Good Roads Golf. Our spring tournament will be at Falconhead Golf Club on the western outskirts of Austin on April 26. Please sign up your team today. Click here for a registration form.
PRIMARIES ALMOST DONE
The primaries came and the primaries went, and few noticed. Secretary of State Geoffrey Connor predicted 1.7 million Texans would trod to the polls March 9; he was pretty close, it was about 1.53 million.
No state senators fell in the primary, but several House incumbents were knocked off, all Democrats. The biggest prize for the "outs" was the vanquishment of 26-year veteran Ron Wilson of Houston, one of the first Democrats to embrace Republican House Speaker Tom Craddick. Also being shown the door were Glenn Lewis, Fort Worth; Mike Wise, Weslaco; Jaime Capelo, Corpus Christi and Timoteo Garza of Eagle Pass. Trailing and forced into runoffs were Roberto Gutierrez of McAllen and Gabi Canales of Alice.
Republican Railroad Commission Chairman Victor Carrillo was forced into a runoff in his first race after being appointed by Governor Perry last year. He missed the magic 50 plus 1 by about 3,000 votes out of more than a half million cast. The runoff will be April 13.
New state senator Kel Seliger won his four-man race in the primary and will receive his full four-year term with a victory this November over nominal Democratic opposition. In a later issue we will discuss the Congressional races: one incumbent Chris Bell, Democrat of Houston, lost an intramural battle with longtime Houston justice of the Peace, Al Green, in a heavily Democratic and minority area, C.D. 9.
REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
By: Lawrence Olsen
(Wednesday, February 25, 2004)
FEDERAL HIGHWAY BILL LIKE MUCH TRAFFIC: STUCK IN GRIDLOCK
With authorization for the federal highway program due to expire this Sunday (Feb. 29), it is clear that final action on the new federal highway bill will not happen any time soon. On February 11, the House enacted a four-month extension of current law that would expire June 30. On the other hand, the Senate passed S. 1072, its version of the new six-year bill February 22. It has a price tag of $318 billion that has created veto talk from the White House. Among the 76 who voted to approve the bill were Majority Leader Frist of Tennessee and Texas’ John Cornyn. Senior Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison voted against final passage. It is expected that the Senate will pass a two-month extension in the next couple of days, and the two houses will have to reconcile their differences over the length of extension legislation. We will post the latest news we receive here on our website.
COMMITTEE SETS DATE FOR SPRING GOLF TOURNEY: APRIL 26
Golf Committee Chairman Jeff Collins of Arcadis has announced that his committee has set April 26 for the spring tournament. "Because we had such excellent service and the new course was very popular with the participants, we have decided to return to the Falconhead Golf Club, on the western outskirts of Austin.” Joining Collins for a breakfast meeting in Austin earlier this month were: Bobby Nauert, Hunter Industries, Hunter; Eddie Bostic, Austin White Lime, Austin; Will Burney, Trinity Industries, Dallas; Tom Robertson, Hanson Pipe & Products, Houston; Kelly Morgan, Hanson Pipe & Products, San Antonio; Kevin King, TXI, Tyler; and David Stroud, Ergon, Waco.
Collins urged members to put together teams early. We will try to limit enrollment to the first 25 teams, the Houston-based engineer said.
TWO FORMER MAYORS TO JOIN TEXAS STATE SENATE
In a rare occurrence, two state Senate seats were decided at the same time in special elections, one in East Texas and the other in the Panhandle. And both winners have strong ties to TGR. In Senate District one (vacated by Bill Ratliff), former Tyler Mayor Kevin Eltife kept the seat in the Republican column with a 52-48 win over Democrat Paul Sadler who had previously served six terms in the Texas House. Eltife was a member of the TGR executive committee from 1994-1997.
Former Amarillo Mayor Kel Seliger will finish the remainder of Teel Bivins' term (through Jan. 2005). Bivins was nominated by President Bush to be the U.S. Ambassador to Sweden. Seliger handily beat Odessa businessman Kirk Edwards, 56 to 44, in the February 17 runoff. To serve the full four-year term, Seliger must again win the Republican primary and then capture the general election. The former will be the harder of the two tasks in the strongly leaning GOP area. Seliger was the TGR coordinator for the Amarillo highway district and helped put on TGR meetings on behalf of Proposition 15 in 2001.
VACANCY IN WICHITA FALLS WITH NELSON RETIREMENT; SADDLE FILLED IN CHILDRESS
Veteran TxDOT employee Terry Keener, P.E. has been named district engineer in Childress effective immediately. Keener began his career in this district in 1971, and with the exception of a brief stint in the private sector, has been a key part of this district for many years, serving in a wide variety of capacities, including interim district engineer in 1997. Terry is a recipient of the Gib Gilchrist Award and a graduate of Texas A&M.
After working with the Department for more than 37 years, Joe Nelson has announced his retirement as the Wichita Falls district engineer, effective March 31. Joe began his career in the Dallas district and was the Corsicana area engineer in 1987 and later served as the deputy district engineer in the Waco district. Best of luck to Joe and his family in retirement.
REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
By: Lawrence Olsen
(January 30, 2004)
WILLIAMSON TAKES LEADERSHIP REIGNS AT SAN ANTONIO MEETING
Richard (Ric) Williamson became the first chairman of the five-member Texas Transportation Commission that met January 29 in San Antonio. The 78th Legislature enacted and Governor Rick Perry approved legislation expanding the commission from three to five members.
Governor Perry named Mrs. Hope Andrade of San Antonio and Ted Houghton, Jr. of El Paso to the Commission December 15. Last summer Mr. Perry had reappointed Robert Nichols of Jacksonville to a second six-year term. Nichols was initially appointed the Commissioner by Governor George W. Bush in 1997.
On January 7, Governor Perry named his longtime confidant and former House colleague, Mr. Williamson, to assume the chairmanship of the newly constituted board. He succeeds Johnny W. Johnson in that role; Johnson was named to the Commission by Governor Bush in 1999 and became chairman in 2000.
Prior to the Commission meeting, TGR President Bennie Bock presided over a breakfast honoring the Commission at the Omni Hotel in San Antonio. Lawrence Olsen of TGR discussed the pending federal highway legislation and was joined in remarks by Commissioners Nichols and Johnson. New appointees Andrade and Houghton also addressed the crowd that included State Senator Leticia Van de Putte and State Reps. Ken Mercer and Ruth Jones McLendon of San Antonio and Larry Phillips of Sherman. TGR leaders who enjoyed the eggs and sausage buffet were executive committee members Johnny Weisman, Elizabeth Hansen and Bobby White.
LT GOV ANNOUNCES NEW LEADERS
With the resignation of two key Senate leaders, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst has announced new leadership positions in the 31-member Texas Senate. Steve Ogden of Bryan, elected to the Senate in a 1997 special election, will succeed Teel Bivins as the Chairman of the Finance Committee. Last session the lanky Naval Academy grad spearheaded the Infrastructure Development and Security Committee. That post will be assumed by Todd Staples of Palestine.
Senator Bob Duncan of Lubbock will replace the retiring Bill Ratliff as the chairman of the Senate State Affairs Committee.
TGR/ COMMISSION JOIN FORCES TO INFORM CITIZENS
Since the beginning of the year, TGR has been on the road from one corner of the state to the other, to alert our members and other local leaders about the immediate need for action on federal highway legislation. Thus far, Chairman Ric Williamson appeared at the Dallas Regional Mobility Coalition January 9 to press this issue, assisted by former TGR officer James McCarley. Former Chairman Johnson has spoken to the Greater Houston Partnership (Jan. 21), at Commemorative Air Force Museum in the Permian Basin (Jan. 22) and in Weslaco (Jan. 27).
Commissioner Robert Nichols has been the leading Globetrotter thus far. His appearances have been in Lubbock, Amarillo and San Angelo (Jan.12); Sherman-Denison, Texarkana and Paris (Jan. 13); Tyler and Lufkin (Jan. 14) and Waco and College Station (Jan. 16). He also has had excellent turnouts in Victoria and Corpus Christi (Jan. 20).
Next week Commissioner Johnson will lead a TGR contingent to meet with key officials in Washington, D.C. A full report on the Washington trip will appear in both subsequent issues of this publication and here on our website.
Chairman Williamson has also committed to making several other talks on the federal highway issue in Abilene, Brownwood, Fort Worth and Wichita Falls. Possibly other sites will be visited depending on the schedules of the commissioners. In future issues, we will give full acknowledgement to our local Good Roads coordinators and others who have been very helpful to us in this very well received effort. Numerous media outlets have given extensive and favorable coverage to the appearances of the Commission and there have been several favorable editorials about the main point of these appearances: Texas' receiving 95 percent return of the dollars sent to Washington for our highways.
SPECIAL SENATE ELECTIONS SET
Governor Perry has chosen February 17 for the run off elections that will determine the successors to Teel Bivins and Bill Ratliff, both of whom resigned earlier this month. In the West Texas district, Kel Seliger, former Amarillo Mayor, won 36 percent of the vote in the first race on January 20. Finishing at 21 percent was Odessa businessman Kirk Edwards.
Meanwhile, across the state, near the Arkansas/ Louisiana border, former Texas House Democrat Paul Sadler led the Senate District 1 battle with 39 percent. Former Tyler Mayor Kevin Eltife, Republican, was a close second at 37 percent. Former Senator Ratliff and Representative Tommy Merritt, who finished third in the special election, have endorsed Eltife. Early voting is from February 9 through February 13.
For further analysis of these two senate races, please look here on our website early next week.
REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
By: Lawrence Olsen
(December 12, 2003)
TGR PLANS EDUCATIONAL EFFORT
In an effort to help the ball rolling for a new federal highway bill, TGR will undertake an educational effort next month throughout the state to urge our members to push for more federal funding. Transportation Commission members, Johnny Johnson, Robert Nichols and Ric Williamson have all agreed to participate in various forums across the state to aid this undertaking. The program will culminate with a visit to Capitol Hill, probably in early February. Details on dates and locations will be available as soon as these events are determined with our local TGR coordinators. These meeting times and sites will be posted our website when available.
ADMINISTRATION FILLS TWO MORE D.E. SLOTS
Russel Lenz and Craig Clark have been announced as the choices of the TxDOT administration to direct the department’s business in Abilene and Corpus Christi, respectively. Lenz is currently the deputy district engineer in Waco, having previously served in the Austin district. Clark is now the district engineer in Childress. Prior to that assignment, Clark toiled in the San Antonio district. Clark replaces David Casteel who has taken the top spot in San Antonio, while Lenz will fill the shoes of Bill Hale, now the headknocker in the Dallas area. Fuller bios of these good folks can be found here.
SJERVEN, LONG TIME TGR LEADER, DIES AT 89
Oscar Sjerven, retired president of Acme Machinery and Supply Company of Tyler, died Dec. 6. He served on the executive committee of TGR and was our area coordinator for the Tyler Highway District for many years. He was named a Texas Road Hand in 1985, nominated by Tyler D.E. Bobby Evans. August 7, 2003, was proclaimed “Oscar Sjerven Day” by the City of Tyler and Smith County to coincide with the initial ribbon cutting on Loop 49, which Mr. Sjerven had pushed for many years.
GOVERNOR PERRY SETS TWO SPECIAL ELECTIONS
Voters will go to the polls Jan. 20 to fill the slots vacated by two senior state senators who have announced their resignations. Bill Ratliff of Mount Pleasant and Teel Bivins both came to the State Senate in 1989 and both prospered there, as did the state because of their leadership. Ratliff has tendered his resignation to be effective Jan. 10 and the retired civil engineer says he will pursue his already outstanding golf game. Sen. Bivins, at 56, a new father (for the fourth time) has been nominated by President George W. Bush to be the Ambassador to Sweden. Bivins leaves the Senate Jan. 12. Filing deadlines for both races end Dec. 22, and early voting begins the first week of January.
REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
By: Lawrence Olsen
(November 20, 2003)
BEHRENS FILLS FOUR DISTRICT ENGINEER SLOTS
With nearly 700 long-time TxDOT employees opting for the retirement put forth by the 78th Legislature, Department Executive Director Mike Behrens and his lieutenants have spent many an hour recently in the "interview" room visiting with applicants for the vacancies created by the large exodus.
Mr. Behrens has chosen four new leaders on his district engineer team. They are John Barton, Beaumont; Bryan Wood, Bryan; Bobby Littlefield, Paris and Lonnie Gregorcyk, Yoakum.
Barton is now the director of Transportation Planning and Development in the Wichita Falls district. The new chief in Aggie Land, Mr. Wood, is the deputy district engineer in the Corpus and has been acting as the interim D.E. with the departure of David Casteel to San Antonio.
Bobby Littlefield will be moving a bit east to run the Paris district. A recent award winner at the Short Course, Littlefield is currently the area engineer in the Sherman office, a part of the Paris district. And lastly in the district alphabet, Gregorcyk will win the prize for traveling the shortest distance that is probably just a few yards from his office as the director of Transportation and Development in Yoakum to the D.E. office recently vacated by Bruce Bayless. More information about the newest district engineers can be found here.
Next on Mr. Behrens' plate will be filling the vacancies in Abilene and Corpus Christi.
TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION WILL BEGIN NEW YEAR ON THE ROAD
As the Texas Legislature will not be meeting in regular session in 2004, the Texas Transportation Commission has planned three road trips for its Commission schedule. On January 29, the Commission will gather in San Antonio. Subsequent visits will be to Waco, April 29 and Childress, July 29. For the last decade or so, the Commission has had a trio of meetings in the years the Legislature is not meeting and two road trips in session years. At almost all of these meetings over the years, the Commission has been good enough to attend the breakfasts hosted by TGR on the morning of the Commission meeting.
An interesting twist involves the "new" five-member commission that was enacted last session. Originally, the Commission had planned to meet November 20. One member was unable to attend because of a long-standing previous commitment out of state. State lawyers told the commission that two members of the commission do not constitute a quorum to meet since the Commission, as of September 1, is a five-member body. Governor Perry has yet to name the additional members of the Commission. The Commission will hold its November meeting on Monday, November 24.
SENATOR RATLIFF TO HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY
Veteran State Senator Bill Ratliff of Mount Pleasant is holding a press conference in his hometown and in Austin today to reveal his future political plans. Ratliff defeated State Senator Richard Anderson in 1988 to become the first Republican elected to the state senate from Northeast Texas in the 20th century. In 2000, Senator Ratliff was chosen by his fellow senators to serve as Lieutenant Governor during the 77th session of the Legislature. At the beginning of last regular session, Senator Ratliff drew a four-year term. There was speculation in the press earlier this year that Senator Ratliff might choose to resign his senate seat.
REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
By: Lawrence Olsen
(November 5, 2003)
SPEAKER CRADDICK ISSUES INTERIM CHARGES...
Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick has released interim study charges for his 36 standing committees and established three select committees, one relating to the construction industry.
The following four charges were issued to the House Committee on Transportation:
1. Review transportation best practices in other states to determine possible improvements in administration, operations, delivery of projects, and improving overall efficiency of the Department of Transportation.
2. Review and study all existing legislation affecting the development of transportation infrastructure in areas adjacent to the Texas-Mexico border. Study international trade issues as they relate to transportation, the adequacy of existing infrastructure to facilitate international traffic related to trade, the potential for development of inter-modal hubs and other mixed use facilities which promote more efficient trade and economic development, and the opportunities for contracting with Mexico or any of the Mexican states for joint development of transportation infrastructure. (Joint Interim Charge with House Border and International Affairs Committee)
3. Actively monitor and review Texas Department of Transportation’s rulemaking, promulgation of policies and procedures, implementation of programs, and other activities related to the implementation of HB 3588, 78th Legislature. (Joint Interim Charge with Senate Infrastructure Development and Security Committee)
4. Actively monitor agencies and programs under the committee’s jurisdiction, including identifying possible ways to merge or streamline agency functions to produce long-term financial benefit to the State and better efficiency of the agencies.
Speaker Craddick, elected by his peers at the beginning of this session, the 78th Legislature, was first elected from his hometown of Midland in 1968 and has served continuously since that election.
He named Rep. Joe Nixon, R- Houston and Helen Giddings, D-Dallas, to jointly chair a special committee to study worker’s compensation issues related to the construction industry. During the recently completed session, Mr. Nixon chaired the Civil Practices and Remedies Committee and Ms. Giddings led the Business and Commerce Committee.
GOOD TURNOUT FOR ‘SPEEDWAY GOLF
Nearly 100 golfers enjoyed a balmy day Oct. 27 at the Doral Tesoro Golf Club in Fort Worth, only about a strong one-iron away from the entrance of the Texas Motor Speedway. And courtesy of our friends and supporters at the TMS, the number one foursome of Rodney Scott, Paul Junkersfield, Mike Ducote and David Hustead, will enjoy the “Ride of a Lifetime,” several laps around the oval with a professional driver.
A big tip of the hand to our North Texas Golf Committee comprised of Tom Krampitz, Texas Motor Speedway; Carl Campbell and Will Burney, both of Trinity Industries; Steve Robertson, APAC; Charles Hardy, Austin Industries; Kelly Morgan, Hanson Pipe & Products; Mike Lacy, L.H. Lacy Company; Rodney Scott, The Lofland Company; and Steve Siddons, Frank Siddons Insurance.
And an especial salute to our strong supporter, Trinity Industries, for its outstanding barbecue luncheon.
REDISTRICTING TRIAL TO BEGIN NEXT MONTH IN AUSTIN
Those who would overturn the Congressional map adopted by the Texas Legislature in its third special session will have their day in court Dec. 11 in Austin. Or probably more than “ a day.” Four different lawsuits have been merged and will be heard by a three-judge panel from the 5th Federal Circuit. Gov. Rick Perry signed the bill into law Oct. 13 and it has been submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice for approval under the Voting Rights Act. If the plan is not overturned by the federal court, the Republicans figure to gain six or seven new seats at the expense of veteran Democrats in the Texas delegation. The current make up of the Congressional delegation is 17 Democrats and 15 Republicans.
REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
By: Lawrence Olsen
(October 15, 2003)
NORTH TEXAS GOLF TOURNEY OFFERS SPECIAL TREATS
If one is of a certain vintage, say in the age range of Pat Worrell, Steve Robertson and this correspondent, our racing heroes might be Junior Johnson and Fireball Roberts. At the other end of the spectrum, represented by Montie Broome, Rodney Scott and Will Burney, the icons might be Dale Earnhardt, Jr. or Matt Kenseth. But this is the ultimate chance for all you NASCAR fans out there to win a few spins around the Texas Motor Speedway oval, thanks to our friends at TMS. The winning foursome at our October 27 tournament will capture some of the regular prizes and then be given the special prize of riding with the Team Texas Driving School for the “ride of a lifetime.” But as is said about the lottery, you can't win unless you play. Please send in today for a team, or at least for a hole sponsorship. Another added treat will be the "home cooking" of our friends at Trinity Industries featuring their gargantuan smoker to prepare our lunch. We look forward to seeing you all there.
SHORT COURSE HONORS AWARD WINNERS
College Station--The Texas A&M campus hosted the 77th gathering of the Transportation Short Course, October 14-15, a joint venture of TxDOT and the Texas Transportation Institute.
Much of the non-technical part of the program was devoted to discussion of the Omnibus Transportation legislation, H.B 3588, enacted by the 78th session of the Texas Legislature. More than 1,000 department employees and industry allies heard eloquent speeches from Chairman John Johnson and Commissioners Robert Nichols and Ric Williamson. Also presenting an outstanding speech was executive director, Mike "Coach" Behrens. Although Behrens is a loyal Aggie, some suspected he might be trying to succeed UT Coach Mack Brown after Behrens’ articulate explanation and comparison of Wishbone offense (pay as you go) and the two-minute drill (debt financed highways).
Winning special recognition were the following TxDOT personnel: Bobby G. Littlefield, Jr., Sherman Area Engineer, Dewitt C. Greer Award; Bob Daigh, newly appointed Austin district engineer, Gibb Gilchrist Award; Frances Willison, Houston chief of right of way, Luther DeBerry Award; and Ms. Barrie D. Cogburn, Design Division, Raymond E. Stotzer Award. The recipient of the Russell Perry Award was former Marshall Mayor Audrey D. Kariel.
TWO MORE D.E. SLOTS FILLED; SIX TO GO
Executive Director Behrens announced October 10 that Bill Hale will be the new district engineer in Dallas and David Casteel will assume the reins in San Antonio. Hale will vacate the same post in Abilene and Casteel in Corpus Christi. The duo join Bob Daigh, named earlier the top job in the Capitol City, to complete the major urban positions. Mr. Behrens said during the Short Course that he anticipates the announcement of the new hires for Beaumont, Yoakum, Bryan and Paris will occur around November 1. Filling the positions at Corpus and Abilene will come later.
PRESIDENT BUSH INKS BILL TO CONTINUE HIGHWAY FUNDING
On the day before federal highway funding expired (September 30), President Bush signed legislation that extends the federal highway program through February 29, a five-month extension. This extension legislation was filed while TGR was in Washington last month for meetings of the Highway Users Alliance and Better Roads and Transportation Council. Our group met briefly with Senate Finance committee leaders, Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa and ranking minority member Max Baucus of Montana to discuss their joint efforts to restore monies to the highway trust fund which had been diverted to ethanol subsidies. I also had the opportunity to meet with a handful of members from the Texas delegation, staff and personnel from the Office of State Federal Relations, including Kris Heckmann and Tina Shaw, representing the governor's office and TxDOT, respectively.
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