REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
By: Lawrence Olsen
(Friday, December 1, 2006)
GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS IN REELECTION FOR GOVERNOR PERRY AND GOP STATEWIDE SLATE; REPUBLICANS ADD ONE IN STATE SENATE; DEMOCRATS GAIN IN TEXAS HOUSE
When the gavel begins the 80th session of the Texas Legislature January 9, the Republican majority will prevail in both houses, although the Democrats will have rosier numbers than two years earlier in the Texas House. At the start of the 79th session, the Republicans majority had 86, with the Democrats at 64. With one seat yet to be determined, the Republicans will have 80 members, the Democrats 69. There are 25 members who will be sworn in for their first full legislative term. Of that group, 13 are Republicans and 12 Democrats. The only incumbent casualties in November were Republicans; namely, Toby Goodman of Arlington, Bill Keffer of Dallas, Martha Wong of Houston and Gene Seaman of Corpus Christi. Another Republican seat that was held by Terry Keel, who resigned to run for a judgeship, was won by Democrat Valinda Bolton in the Travis County Democratic landslide.
In the 31 member Texas Senate, 20 seats will be occupied by the GOP and 11 by the Democrats, representing a gain of one seat for the majority party. This is a result of the capturing by Republican Glen Hegar of Katy of the seat formerly held by conservative Democrat Ken Armbrister of Victoria. Armbrister did not seek reelection.
The final House seat will be determined by a special election December 19. Three Republicans and one Democrat have filed for the District 29 vacancy caused by the September death of Representative Glenda Dawson of Pearland. Her death came too late for the Republican party to choose a successor to the former educator. Dawson was first elected in 2002 to the district which is made up of Matagorda and part of Brazoria counties. Her name remained on the ballot and she received 60 percent of the vote November 7.
Within a day of the November 7 election, two-term House Speaker Tom Craddick issued a list of 108 members pledged to support him for his third term. Among the list were 30 of the chamber's 69 Democrats. To capture the speakership, a simple of majority of the membership is required. Whether the District 29 (which strongly leans GOP) is filled by January 9 depends on the outcome of the December 19 tally. Should none of the four candidates receive a majority, a runoff will be necessary.
No runoff was necessary for Governor Rick Perry's win November 7. In fact, under state law, in all general election contests the candidate with the highest number of votes is the winner. Mr. Perry garnered 39 percent of the vote and Democrat Chris Bell finished second with 30 percent. Independent candidates Carole Strayhorn, current state comptroller, captured 18 percent of the vote and entertainer and novelist Richard "Kinky" Friedman had 13 percent. The gubernatorial candidate for the Libertarian party had less than one percent of the vote.
U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison breezed to her third term with 62 percent over her Democratic challenger. All members of the Texas Congressional delegation were victorious. Only Republican Henry Bonilla of District 23 (San Antonio) was forced into a runoff. Bonilla's seat was one of the five that were special elections compelled by a federal court that redrew the South Texas districts to comply with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that invalidated a portion of the state's redistricting plan. Bonilla faces former Congressman Ciro Rodriguez, also of San Antonio, a Democrat, in a December 12 runoff. In the first go around, Bonilla won almost 49 percent and Rodriguez had 20 percent.
With the elections over, members of the Texas Legislature have begun the process by prefiling legislation. Numerous bills have been filed dealing with transportation, taxes, immigration and a myriad of other issues that the Legislature will face during its 140-day tenure.
REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
By: Lawrence Olsen
(Monday, October 16, 2006)
AWARD WINNERS REVEALED DURING 'SHORT COURSE'
COLLEGE STATION--- With a long overdue thunderstorm as a backdrop, nearly 2,600 registrants witnessed a mini-version of the Academy Awards here October 10.
A highlight of the two-day conclave, the 80th Annual Transportation Short Course, was the naming of the five most prestigious awards that the Texas Department of Transportation issues. TxDOT co sponsors the event along with the Texas Transportation Institute, a part of The Texas A&M University System.
Playing the role of Bob Hope as award emcee was TTI director Dr. Herb H. Richardson. His scriptwriters carefully avoid naming the actual recipient while giving a detailed description of his/her career and accomplishments. And now for the envelopes: The Dewitt C. Greer Award---Robert L. Stuard, Deputy District Engineer, Austin; The Gibb Gilchrist Award--Paul E. Williams, Area Engineer, Northeast Area Office, Dallas
District; The Luther DeBerry Award-Julia (Julie) M. Brown, Deputy District Engineer, San Antonio; The Raymond Stotzer Award (to non engineer)---Janelle Gbur, Public Information Officer, Houston and Russell Perry Award--Robert L. Nichols. Mr. Nichols resigned as a member of the Texas Transportation Commission in the summer of 2005 after serving since 1997. In March he won the Republican nomination for Senate District 3 and faces no opposition in the November general election.
The four members of the Transportation Commission each spoke eloquently of the great strides that the Department 's administration and employees have been made during the past year. In somewhat of a departure from his usual low-keyed approach, Commissioner Johnny Johnson made several salient points using his grandchildrens' puppets as props. Mr. Johnson, appointed in 1999 by Governor George Bush, is the longest serving member of the Commission. His fellow commissioners, Chairman Ric Williamson, and Commissioners Hope Andrade and Ted Houghton, also spoke in laudatory terms of the department's recent accomplishments.
Also receiving due praise during the conference was Dr. Richardson retiring after 13 years at the TTI chief and a total of 22 years service to the TAMU system. His deputy, Dr. Dennis Christiansen is the sole finalist chosen to succeed and the A&M Board of Regents will make his appointment official later this month. Congratulations Herb on an outstanding tenure and best of luck in retirement.
HOUSTON AREA GOLF PRODUCES BIG ACE FOR TGR
Victory has many fathers; defeat is an orphan---Anonymous
SPRING, TEXAS---What more can one ask for: it is the last Monday in August, the mercury is under 100 degrees and there is a bit of a cloud cover. All that and about fourscore and ten of golfing enthusiasts combined to make the TGR fall tourney a resounding victory.
The first tip of the hat goes to the hardworking committee led by Chairman Tom Robertson, of Hanson Pipe & Precast. Veteran Tom was joined by Jeff Collins of LJA Engineering & Surveying (also a member of the TGR executive committee); Randy Rogers of Williams Brothers; Larry Senkel of Willis; Fred Simmons of Zurich; Dale Kornegay of Bortunco; Jim Toungate of L.A. Utilities and Paul Messenger of McGriff, Seibels & Williams.
The next attaboy goes to the first to step up to the plate as Event Sponsors: Williams Brothers, LJA and Trinity Highway Safety Products, Inc., who once again provided the post tourney eats.
Please look here for the next special group which includes the rest of our Event Sponsors and our Corporate (team) Sponsors. Special thanks to our extra mile helpers: Hoy Gatlin of AGC, JoAnn McGehee of Highway Pavement Specialties and Tom's lovely bride, Nelda Robertson.
REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
By: Lawrence Olsen
(Friday, July 28, 2006)
COMMISSION HITS THE ROAD AGAIN, VISITING EL PASO
EL PASO-- More than 65 friends and supporters attended a breakfast sponsored by TGR and heard from the members of the Texas Transportation Commission July 27 prior to its monthly meeting held here.
For the second consecutive month, El Paso Mayor John Cook serenaded the official Commission meeting with a rendition of This Land is Your Land, with an El Paso twist. A bit of levity was welcome at the meeting, played out against the backdrop of the tough, internal El Paso battle over the creation of a Regional Mobility Authority (RMA). The City Council of El Paso has endorsed the concept while it was opposed by the area's metropolitan planning organization. State Senator Eliot Shapleigh is a supporter of the RMA while State Representative Joe Pickett, chairman of the planning organization, is opposed.
Since 1994, the Commission has taken its monthly meeting on the road and completed the cycle of the 25 districts with its July meeting last year in Brownwood. It had last met in El Paso in February 2000. Commissioner Ted Houghton, named to the five-member commission by Governor Rick Perry in December 2003, is the first El Pasoan to serve on the Commission. In October, the Commission will meet in Denton and next year's schedule includes stops in Duncanville (January), Sugar Land (July) and Eagle Pass (October).
TGR Executive Committee member Jeff Collins won the "long Drive" contest at the breakfast meeting, as his office is located in Houston.
NEXT TGR GOLF TOURNEY IS JUST A WEDGE AWAY
Mentioning "long drives" is a reminder, Golf Committee Chairman Tom Robertson says, that the fall TGR tourney is fast approaching. We have plenty of room for our golfers, added the veteran linkster who is with Hanson Pipe. Mark your calendars for Monday, August 28, 2006 at Cypresswood Golf Club in Spring, TX.
In addition to actual golfers, TGR president Jack Bowen urge those TGR friends and supporters to take the extra step of being an "Event Sponsor" for the tournament at a level of $1,000. President Bowen noted that TGR chose to join with TxDOT in The Texas Transportation Forum in June. "The forum was an unprecedented success. But we did forgo our annual meeting to join with the Department that we were glad to do. But we also missed the opportunity for our many friends and supporters to be meeting sponsors. We would like to appeal to loyal group of generous friends to become sponsors of this golf tournament, " added the Victoria based Bowen of Fordyce.
To download a registration form and see a list of our sponsors already on board, click here.
GOVERNOR PERRY TABS TGR LEADER
Governor Perry has nominated Fred Heldenfels IV to the Higher Education Coordinating Board. Fred has served as president of Texas Good Roads and is currently, president of Heldenfels Enterprises in San Marcos. His family has been in the construction business since 1909. Fred is a graduate of Texas A&M University.
GRANDMA WILL JUST BE STRAYHORN
Press reports today indicate that gubernatorial hopeful Carole Strayhorn has withdrawn her legal attempt to have her name appear as Carole"Grandma" Strayhorn on November's ballot. The current State Comptroller, Ms. Strayhorn filed January 2 to run as an independent. She has served as State Comptroller since 1999, elected as a Republican. She filed a lawsuit against Secretary of State Roger Williams after he denied her attempt to be on the ballot with her nickname, "Grandma." The former Austin Mayor claimed that she had been widely known by this nickname since she officially became a grandmother in 1994. Yet she had appeared on the statewide ballot three times since achieving that outstanding achievement and never before this year had tried to use that as part of her official ballot name.
REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
By: Lawrence Olsen
(Friday, July 14, 2006)
TRANSPORTATION FORUM ON A ROARING SUCCESS
AUSTIN---More than 1,300 paying customers packed the downtown Hilton Hotel June 8-9 to hear from state and national leaders during the first annual Texas Transportation Forum. The event was sponsored by the Texas Department of Transportation & cosponsored by Texas Good Roads, the Texas Transportation Institute and the Associated General Contractors of Texas.
Governor Rick Perry told the throngs that "...the nation is watching us" and that other states are seeking to emulate the innovative methods Texas has adopted in the last four years to push forward our highway program. Governor Perry's remarks were echoed by Secretary of Transportation Norm Mineta. Mineta lauded the State Highway 130 project that he toured along with Governor Perry and Commission Chairman Ric Williamson while in Austin. It was one of Mineta's last official appearances as he resigned his cabinet post effective July 7.
In the next issue of the Transportation Update, there will be extensive coverage of the Forum, including reports on the numerous and timely panel discussions which occurred during the meeting. In the meantime, you can find an evaluation form, photos, recordings and speaker presentations from the Forum at http://www.TexasTransportationForum.com.
Amidst the Forum, TGR conducted its annual meeting duties, including the reelection of Jack Bowen of the Fordyce Company of Victoria as president and Howard Cowan of the Cowan Bonding Agency of Lubbock as vice president.
GOLF COMMITTEE SETS AUGUST 28 FOR NEXT TOURNEY
Never timid about summertime weather, the TGR golf tournament has set Monday, August 28 for the fall scramble. Chairman Tom Robertson and his coconspirators have chosen the Cypresswood Golf Club in Spring, TX for the site. You can download this form & see our sponsors here.
COMMISSION APPROVES SOUTHERN LEG OF SH 130
Meeting in Austin June 30, the Texas Transportation Commission has approved the 1,000 page plus contract with Cintra-Zachry for the company to build the 40-mile southern portion of State Highway 130. Construction is expected to begin within two years and the road, from Mustang Ridge to Seguin, is expected to open by 2012. It will be a toll road, with free frontage lanes in the portion overlaying the current U.S. 183 north of Lockhart (for more details, go here).
In a scene somewhat reminiscent of an Austin City Council meeting, the Commission attempted to "split the baby" on a dispute between warring factions in El Paso. The El Paso City Council voted to have a Regional Mobility Authority (RMA) while the regional planning group voted against it. Mayor John Cook made his final plea on the form of a song, accompanying himself on the guitar. The Commission approved the request by the city but stated that no RMA projects would move forward until the Regional planning group, whose leader in opposition is State Representative Joe Pickett, is on board. In addition to Mayor Cook, Senator Eliot Shapleigh led the forces for the RMA. Next month, by coincidence, the Transportation Commission will meet in El Paso.
REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
By: Lawrence Olsen
(Thursday, May 18, 2006)
SECRETARY MINETA, GOVERNOR PERRY HEAD LUMINARY LIST; BOTH LEADERS TO SPEAK AT THE TEXAS TRANSPORTATION FORUM
Secretary of Transportation Norm Mineta will join Governor Rick Perry as a headliner at the first ever Texas Transportation Forum in Austin June 8-9. Californian Mineta spent more than 20 years in the U.S. House of Representatives before leaving office in 1995. A former mayor of San Jose, he also served as Chairman of the House Public Works Committee. After a stint in the private sector, he was named Secretary of Commerce by President Bill Clinton. When he assumed office in 2001, President George W. Bush chose the talented Democrat as his Transportation leader. Secretary Mineta will address the Road Hand lunch June 8 at 12:30 p.m. Governor Rick Perry, fresh from his success in the special legislative session, will give the dinner speech that evening. For more information, including registration & agenda, please consult www.TexasTransportationForum.com. The Texas Transportation Forum is sponsored by the Texas Department of Transportation. Texas Good Roads is a cosponsor of the event, along with the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) and the AGC of Texas. The function will also serve as TGR's annual meeting for this year.
SPECIAL SESSION SOLVES (?) SCHOOL FINANCE ISSUE
School (the legislature) is out for summer, and it appears the students (legislators) have passed. Before they graduate, they still have three hurdles. The first hurdle is approval from their teacher (represented by Governor Perry). "Teacher" Perry is sure to sign the five separate pieces of legislation (HBs 1-5) that make up the school finance/property tax relief package. The principal is represented by the State Supreme Court. And it also highly likely that the 7-1 majority which tossed out the current school financing model last November will rule that the recent actions by the special session are "meaningful" reform which the Court required the Legislature to enact by June 1. So it is a safe wager that the “principal” will sign the report cards. And the final arbiter (the voters) will give the ultimate graduation diploma November 7 when 150 house members, 16 senators, Governor Perry and Lt. Governor David Dewhurst attempt to walk across the "electoral" stage. At this point, the bet would be strongly in favor of a very high graduation rate in November.
IN MEMORIAM
Longtime industry leader Bill Neese died May 12. For nearly four decades, Bill worked for the Highway Department, Austin Bridge and Road, and recently, with PBS&J. Bill was a civil engineering graduate of UT and was very active in industry activities and served on numerous committees and in leadership roles. He is survived by his wife Charlotte, two children and three grandchildren.
REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
By: Lawrence Olsen
(Friday, May 5, 2006)
MAY 8 DEADLINE FOR DISCOUNTED REGISTRATION; TEXAS TRANSPORTATION FORUM TO BE A SIGNAL EVENT
This year our annual meeting will be folded into the Texas Transportation Forum which is sponsored by the Texas Department of Transportation. TGR is cosponsoring the event, along with the Texas Transportation Institute and the AGC of Texas. Governor Rick Perry, national transportation officials, all members of the Texas Transportation Commission and all department leadership will attend and participate in many of the events and workshops during June 8-9 at the Austin Hilton. There will be special recognition for the 50th anniversary of the interstate highway program.
If you register by May 8, you will enjoy a discounted rate. You must register online at www.TexasTransportationForum.com.
GOOD ROADS GOLFERS SAVOR THE DAY
New Braunfels--- Nearly 100 golfers participated in the TGR spring tourney May 1 at the Bandit near here. Golf chairman Tom Robertson reports that a bit of wind and cloud cover stifled the temperature and made for a very pleasant outing for the strikers. Capturing the flag among the teams was the TXI sponsored group made up of Dewitt Carnes, Ken Davis, Lee Solis and Jim Lander.
Many thanks to our generous sponsors, including food sponsors Hunter Industries and Trinity Highway Safety Products and our event sponsors J.D. Abrams, L.P.; Austin White Lime; Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions, Inc.; Fordyce, Ltd.; Foremost Paving, Inc.; Texas Contractors Supply, L.P.; W.W. Webber, LLC and Williams Brothers Construction Company, Inc. See the rest of our sponsors here.
IT'S ROAD HAND TIME
A pair of county judges are the first to join this elite fraternity which will swell to more than 200 this year. Williamson County Judge John Doerfler was surprised by TxDOT executive director Mike Behrens during a meeting of the Commissioner's Court May 2 in Georgetown. The same day, in San Antonio, assistant executive director Steve Simmons handed the hardware to Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff. Another trio will receive the elite awards in the next few weeks and all will be recognized June 8 at the Road Hand Lunch during the Texas Transportation Forum/ TGR meeting.
SPEAKING OF ROAD HANDS
We send out birthday greeting to Luther Deberry celebrating No. 92 in Lufkin May 7. In 1973, as state highway engineer-director, Mr. Deberry created the Road Hand program which gives special recognition to those Texans who have gone above and beyond for the cause of the Texas Highway program.
REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
By: Lawrence Olsen
(Tuesday, March 28, 2006)
COMMISSION HEADING TO SUNNY SOUTH TEXAS
The Texas Transportation Commission will make the second of its scheduled four "road trips" to Brownsville April 27. Texas Good Roads will host the Commission at a 7:30 a.m. breakfast the morning of the Commission meeting at the Sheraton Four Points. The Commission will meet at 9 a.m. at the Brownsville Special Events Center, 1 Event Center Boulevard, Brownsville, TX.
In January, the Commission held its first 2006 meeting in Conroe and will travel to El Paso in July and Denton in October.
At the urging of Houston Commissioner Wayne Duddlesten, the commission made a series of road trips, principally to the Mexican border cities in 1990. In 1994, the Commission began to visit each of the district sites on an annual basis. Last year the Commission completed the circuit of the 25 districts with its gathering in Brownwood.
NEW BRAUNFELS SITE OF FIRST GOLF TOURNEY
Golf Committee Chairman Tom Robertson reports that the first golf outing of 2006 will be at The Bandit Golf Club near New Braunfels May 1. Robertson said a second tourney will be held in the Houston area this fall. Click here for more details on the tournament. TGR President Jack Bowen asks that all of those who have been Platinum Sponsors for TGR's past annual meetings please consider becoming an event sponsor for the golf tourney. "This year we will not have sponsors for our annual meeting," noted President Bowen. "Our meeting this year will be a joint venture with the Texas Department of Transportation, Texas Transportation Institute and the AGC of Texas, and our regular sponsorships will not be available," added Bowen.
Thus far, Hunter Industries has singed on as the Lunch sponsor, Trinity Industries as the Reception Sponsor and Williams Brothers Construction Company as an Event Sponsor. See the complete list of sponsors here.
BEHRENS NAMES NEW LAREDO DISTRICT ENGINEER
Mario G. Medina has been named as the new TxDOT district engineer for the Laredo area. He replaces interim d.e. David Casteel who had overseen the Laredo office in addition to his duties as the San Antonio head knocker. Longtime TxDOT leader Luis Ramirez retired from the post last year after more than a decade as the first and only district engineer of Laredo, which opened its district office in 1993.
Mr. Medina is a 1986 UT graduate in civil engineering. He has been the multimodal section director of the Transportation Planning and Programming Division for the last four years. He is married and has three children. A native of Laredo and a 21-year veteran of the Department, Mario headed a panel for us at last year's TGR meeting. Congratulations and good luck, Mario.
ANNUAL MEETING WEBSITE UP AND RUNNING
As mentioned by President Bowen in the item on the golf tourney, planning is well underway for the Texas Transportation Forum June 8-9 at the downtown Austin Hilton. This will replace TGR's annual meeting for 2006 and registration is now available. TGR's executive committee will meet during the session and the Texas Road Hands (old and new) will also be recognized. This year will mark the 50th anniversary of the 1956 Interstate Highway Act, and this signal event will be highlighted. In addition, there will be informative workshops about the new mechanisms available to expand the highway program. Many high level officials have been invited, and we will report on those appearances at a later date. Find out more at www.texastransportationforum.com.
PRIMARY RUNOFFS FACE LARGE YAWN
Since only about 9 percent of eligible registered voters participated in the March 7 party primaries, the "battles" for the runoffs in a variety of offices promise to be all determined by the 10 o'clock news on the night of April 11. Three incumbent members of the Texas House of Representatives were forced into "overtime." Democrats Richard Raymond of Laredo and Al Edwards of Houston came right to the edge of outright victories over multiple opponents but both fell a few votes short. Republican Scott Campbell of San Angelo, however, trailed challenger Drew Darby by several points and may face an uphill climb in the runoff as the third place finisher endorsed Darby.
For a fuller account of the first primaries (six incumbents felled, including long time State Sen. Frank Madla of San Antonio), click here.
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