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REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
By: Lawrence Olsen
(October 30, 2007)
COMMISSION MEETS IN SOUTH TEXAS WITH AMADEO SAENZ IN COMMAND
EAGLE PASS----This county seat of Maverick County right on the Mexican border was the site of the Texas Transportation Commission's October meeting. Local leaders like Mayor Chad Foster and County Judge Jose Aranda noted that the area is experiencing significant growth on both sides of the border, symbolized by a near $2 billion investment by the brewers of Corona beer in a state of the art facility to be located near Piedas Negras, immediately across the river from Eagle Pass. These local leaders also stressed that this swift growth will put increased pressure on the area infrastructure. TGR hosted a breakfast that was emceed by State Representative Tracy King of Zavala County. Several TGR leaders attended including executive committee member Amanda Abrams, engineer Salvador Mercado of MACTEC and Michael Reeves, head of the Port to Plains group.
Making his initial appearance as the department's leader was Amadeo Saenz. On September 27, the Commission elected Mr. Saenz as executive director of TxDOT. Mr. Saenz is a 29-year TxDOT veteran and was the assistant executive director for engineering operations at that time of his election. He succeeds Michael Behrens who retired August 31. A native of Hebbronville, Mr. Saenz is a graduate of the University of Texas. He and his wife Geri are parents of two. From 1993 to 2001, he served as the district engineer in the Pharr district.
A WONDERFUL TEXAN PASSES AWAY
Kay Johnson, wife of AGC executive vice president Tom Johnson, died October 7 after a brief illness. Widely recognized as the "first lady of AGC," Kay was married to Tom for 47 years. Kay grew up in Austin where her father was a prominent businessman and her uncle, Tom Miller, was the longtime mayor. Kay was a warm and outgoing person who made everyone she met feel special. In addition to Tom, Kay is survived by her son, Thomas, Jr. and her daughter Karen Johnson-Hard. The family has established the Kay Johnson Scholarship fund and contributions may be sent to P.O. Box 2185, Austin, TX 78768.
SPEAKER MAKES APPOINTMENTS
Tom Craddick, speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, has named his three choices to an interim study mandated by Senate Bill 792. This comprehensive legislation, among other things, restricted additional private-public partnerships (with numerous exceptions) and established a nine-person study of that particular question (PPPs). Speaker Craddick named Larry Phillips of Sherman, Wayne Smith of Baytown and Aaron Pena of Edinburg; Pena is a Democrat and the others are part of Speaker Craddick's Republican majority in the 150-member Texas House. Governor Rick Perry and Lt. Governor David Dewhurst have yet to name their nominees for the study group.
Mr. Craddick has also named two new appointees to the Sunset Advisory Commission. He has named Representative Carl Isett of Lubbock to chair the 12-member body that will review numerous agencies prior to the 81st session of the Texas Legislature, the most important of which is the Texas Department of Transportation. He also chose Representative Linda Harper Brown of Irving. He reappointed Mr. Ike Sugg of San Angelo as his public member. Isett and Brown join Representative Ruth Jones McClendon of San Antonio, Representative Lois Kolkhorst of Brenham and Representative Dan Flynn of Van.
In other legislative news, the following House members have declared they will not seek reelection: Fred Hill of Richardson; Diane White Delisi of Temple; Anna Mowery of Fort Worth (already resigned); Robert Talton of Pasadena (running for Congress); Rick Noriega of Houston (running for U.S. Senate); Mike O'Day of Pearland and Robert Puente of San Antonio.
AWARD WINNERS NAMED DURING SHORT COURSE
COLLEGE STATION--- One of the highlights of the 80th annual gathering on the banks of the Brazos, known informally as the short course, is the naming of the recipients of prestigious awards named for luminaries in Texas highway history.
This year's winners are: The Raymond Stotzer Award: Chano Falcon, district maintenance manager, Pharr; The Gibb Gilchrist Award: Darren Hazlett, materials and pavement assistant director, construction division, Austin; Luther Deberry Award: Duane Browning, Beaumont area engineer; Dewitt C. Greer Award: Catherine Hejl, director of maintenance, Bryan and the Russell Perry Award: Tom Johnson, executive vice president of the AGC, Austin.
EARLY VOTING ENDS NOVEMBER 2; ELECTION DAY TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6
A gentle reminder to all members of Texas Good Roads: please vote for Proposition 12 in the state constitutional amendment election November 6. Its passage would authorize the next Texas Legislature to issue up to $5 billion in bonds (paid from general revenue) to build highway projects. Get more Proposition information here.
REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
By: Lawrence Olsen
(August 3, 2007)
STATE "ROAD BONDS" IS PROPOSITION 12
Brand new Texas secretary of state Phil Wilson demonstrated his efficiency in completing the task of assigning ballot numbers to 16 proposed constitutional amendments in less than ten minutes Wednesday at the state capitol. Most significant to supporters of Texas Good Roads will be Proposition No. 12, which authorizes the next state legislature to issue up to $5 billion for highway improvements, if voters okay it. Mr. Wilson, former deputy chief of staff for Gov. Rick Perry, assumed the reins as the state's chief election officer in July from Roger Williams.
Likely to have the most advertisement and attention will be the amendment which authorizes $3 billion in bonds for cancer research. It will be Proposition 15. The honorary chairman for that effort will be champion cyclist and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong of Austin.
At our annual meeting last month, the TGR executive committee strongly endorsed Proposition 12. The resolution to put Proposition 12 before Texas voters (SJR 64) was authored by state senator John Carona of Dallas, chairman of the Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee. It passed both houses unanimously. The Texas Transportation Commission has endorsed it. Most importantly, these bonds will be repaid by the state's general revenue account and will create no tax increase.
The actual language on the ballot will read as follows, "The constitutional amendment providing for the issuance of general obligation bonds by the Texas Transportation Commission in an amount not to exceed $5 billion to provide funding for highway improvement projects."
Texans will decide on these critical issues November 6. Early voting will begin October 22 and end November 2. Voters must register by October 9 to vote in the election.
2ND TEXAS TRANSPORTATION FORUM AGAIN DRAWS HUGE TURNOUT
Governor Rick Perry, State Senator John J. Carona, State Representative Larry Phillips, all members of the Texas Transportation Commission and a variety of nationwide experts were the key speakers who delivered the goods to more than 1300 registrants at the 2nd annual Texas Transportation Forum in Austin July 18-20. The conclave is a joint venture among the Texas Department of Transportation, Texas Good Roads, the Associated General Contractors of Texas and the Texas Transportation Institute.
Four new members of the elite fraternity were recognized during the Road Hand luncheon. They were Judge Sue Kennedy of Nacogdoches, Sid Cauthorn of Del Rio, Grady Smithey of Duncanville and Russell Laughlin of Fort Worth.
Howard Cowan of Lubbock was elected president during the TGR executive committee meeting. Mr. Cowan is the owner of the Cowan Bonding Agency. He succeeds Jack Bowen of Victoria. Chosen as vice president was Beth Adler of Zurich North American Surety. Newly elected to membership of the TGR executive Committee were Mike Behrens (effective September 1 with his retirement as TxDOT's executive director); Amanda Abrams of J.D. Abrams, Austin; Kirby Carpenter, Texana Machinery, San Antonio; Tim Newton of Wilbur Smith Associates, Houston; Lane Lennon of D.L. Lennon, Inc., Commerce and Dan Dooley of Holt-CAT, Irving.
Transportation guru and noted author Alan Pisarski gave the opening session remarks after the welcome night remarks by Austin state senator Kirk Watson, a member of the Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee.
Nearly a dozen sessions, ranging from reports from the front lines of the Regional Mobility Authorities (RMAs) to contracting models drew attentive crowds. For a review from TGR's reporter on the scene, Maynard (Skip) Schneider, retired public info officer from Wisconsin's DOT, click here.
If one is interested in viewing the entire proceedings (or portions thereof), access is available through www.TexasTransportationForum.com.
MORE THAN 100 HEAR COMMISSION AND BOB LANIER
Save Commissioner Hope Andrade who was delayed by weather problems in her native San Antonio, all members of the Commission spoke during the TGR breakfast at the Sugar Land Marriott prior the Commission meeting in this booming area of Fort Bend County July 26.
Serving as emcee for the breakfast, attended by more than 100 TGR members and friends, was TGR Chairman John Butler of Houston. Butler served on the Highway Commission in the 1980s, as an appointee of Governor Bill Clements. Butler introduced his former fellow Commissioner Bob Lanier. After he left the Commission in 1987, Mr. Lanier served as Chairman of Houston Metro, chairman of TGR and as Mayor of Houston from 1992 to 1998. Lanier, not usually a fan of early morning breakfasts, made a special effort to be there, with strong encouragement from his wife, Elyse. Mr. Lanier spoke glowingly about his friend, Billy Burge, recently named a recipient of the Road Hand Award. Mrs. Lanier serves on the Houston Port Authority.
Other Road Hands at the event were Patricia Maddox, Roger Hord and Dick Lindley. Good Roads officers in attendance were executive committee members Doug Pitcock, Mike Stone, Jeff Collins (who received a plaque as an outgoing member) and Amanda Abrams.
REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
By: Lawrence Olsen
(June 18, 2007)
GOVERNOR PERRY PUT FINAL TOUCHES ON 8Oth LEGISLATIVE SESSION
Barring unforeseen circumstances, Governor Rick Perry ended legislative activity until January 2009, with his approval of the state budget and his nixing 52 bills Friday night. Additionally, the Governor trimmed some $650 million from the 2008-2009 state budget that lowered the total to $151.9 billion for combined federal and state spending for the next biennium.
Among his vetoes was a bill by Representative Beverly Woolley of Houston which would have radically altered the balance between all political subdivisions and individuals and businesses whose property was being condemned for roads and other public purposes. TGR wrote the governor requested a veto of HB 2006 by Rep. Woolley. Numerous other organizations also asked the governor to prevent the legislation from taking effect. Next summer, Governor Perry will surpass the longevity record of Governor Allan Shivers as the state's chief executive. With his Friday night vetoes, he now claims the record in bill killing at 205 and the individual record with 83 after his first session as governor in 2001.
BEHRENS TO STEP DOWN AS TxDOT CHIEF
Mike Behrens wrote his bosses, the Texas Transportation Commission, that he planned to turn his keys effective August 31, the last day of the fiscal year. The A&M graduate and native of Giddings has been the department's executive director since 2001. This year marks his 37th year with TxDOT most of which was spent in Yoakum where he worked his way up the ladder to district engineer. He told the American Statesman he planned to move fulltime to Yoakum and "paint the house."
During the special meeting of the Commission June 14, Mr. Behrens received numerous accolades from the members of the Commission. Chairman Ric Williamson joked that the "Commissioners will meet in executive session to decide whether we will accept Mr. Behrens' retirement letter."
Mr. Behrens' predecessors were Dewitt C. Greer (1940-1968); J.C. Dingwall (1968-1973); Luther Deberry (1973-80); Mark Goode (1980- 1986): Raymond Stotzer (1986-1989); Arnold Oliver (1989-1993); William G. Burnett (1993-1997); and Wes Heald (1998-2001).
PHIL WILSON REPLACES ROGER WILLIAMS AS STATE'S SECRETARY OF STATE
Phil Wilson, deputy chief of staff for Governor Rick Perry since 2002, has been nominated by the governor to replace Secretary of State Roger Williams of Weatherford. Williams announced recently he planned to step down from the post July 1. There is media speculation that Williams, a successful and high profile autodealer and former pro baseball player, might seek elective office. Wilson is a youthful veteran of both state and federal government; his greatest claim to fame is that he is the grandson of longtime Houston AGC queen-bee, Hoy Gatlin.
REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
By: Lawrence Olsen
(Thursday, May 3, 2007)
THE LEGISLATIVE CLOCK IS TICKING
In less than four weeks the 80th Legislature will be done. As with most sessions, few issues have been decided and nearly all matters of consequence are in limbo.
To update on a few of the most critical issues…
APPROPRIATIONS--Lt. Gov David Dewhurst April 25 appointed conferees on behalf of the Senate to deliberate over the state's spending bill, HB 1, the only bill that must pass to avoid a special session. House conferees were named April 17. Senate conferees are Steve Ogden (R-Bryan), chairman; Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo); Robert Duncan (R-Lubbock); John Whitmire (D-Houston) and Tommy Williams (R-The Woodlands). House conferees are Chairman Warren Chisum (R-Pampa); Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham); Ryan Guillen (D-Rio Grande City), Dan Gattis (R- Georgetown) and Sylvester Turner (D-Houston). Those serving for the first time on the Appropriations conference committee are Senator Williams and Representatives Chisum and Guillen.
The overall TxDOT budget is $16.7 billion for the coming biennium, which starts September 1, 2007. This is about a five percent increase over the current biennium. Of course, the "devil" or the "angel" is in the details that are represented by numerous riders to the appropriations bill that direct the Department to do certain things with comprehensive development agreements, the Trans Texas Corridor and so forth. As the process moves further, we will provide more details.
CORRIDOR MORATORIUM-- The Texas House of Representatives May 2 sent to the governor's office HB 1892 authored by Wayne Smith of Baytown. As filed, this bill was to give the Harris County Toll Road Authority (HCTRA) first right of refusal on toll projects in its area, among other things. When the bill came to the floor of the House April 10, Rep. Lois Kolkhorst of Brenham attached her bill, HB 2292, to HB 1892. Her amendment creates a two-year moratorium on privately financed comprehensive development agreements (CDAs). It passed the House 137-2. The senate version was sponsored by Tommy Williams of the Woodlands. Senator Williams passed this bill in the Senate April 27 by a vote of 27-4. Senator Robert Nichols passed SB 1267, identical to the original Kolkhorst bill, in the Senate April 19. The House Transportation Committee May 1 passed SB 1267; it is awaiting debate by the full House.
The moratorium legislation, in both SB 1267 and HB 1892, includes several exemptions. The exceptions are for projects that include one or more managed lane facilities to be added to an existing controlled-access highway or for projects that the major portion of is located in a nonattainment or near nonattainment air quality area as determined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and for projects which the department has issued a request for qualifications before the effective date of this law. Also excluded was Loop 9 in southern Dallas County.
After the passage of HB 1892 in the Senate Friday Governor Rick Perry attacked the bill as one that would "shut down road construction, kill jobs....and harm air quality."
Should Governor Perry veto the bill, it is likely the legislature will have its first attempt to override a gubernatorial veto in 28 years.
WHAT ARE THE POLLING BOOTHS FOR?-- If you wandered around the coffee area of your grocery store, you may have noticed that early voting has started. In case you are asking, vote for what? There are many municipal elections (a large field for the Mayor Dallas, one special city council election in Houston and numerous school board elections, all Texas voters will have an opportunity to change the state constitution. A glitch occurred last year when the special session of the Legislature provided property tax relief. As the elderly and disabled already had their property tax burden capped, the constitutional amendment is needed so these disabled and elderly homeowners will receive the same proportionate reduction in school district taxes on their homesteads as other school property taxpayers will receive. The special session reduced school property taxes by one third. The proposed amendment would fix the disparity for elderly and disabled homeowners. The vote will occur Saturday May 12 and early voting is over May 8.
REGISTER NOW FOR THE 2ND TRANSPORTATION FORUM
Second Annual
Texas Transportation Forum
July 18-20, 2007
Hilton Austin
Breakout sessions include hot topics such as Freight - Trucks, Ports, Rail and Air; The Next Road Construction Contracts; The Cost of Congestion; The Road to Economic Prosperity; and The Trans-Texas Corridor. Among the distinguished list of speakers will be Texas Secretary of State, Roger Williams and author of Commuting in America III, Alan E. Pisarski.
To view an updated agenda and other information on the event, visit http://www.texastransportationforum.com/.
Discounted registration is available until June 13th.
REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
By: Lawrence Olsen
(Monday, April 2, 2007)
TEXAS HOUSE LABORS LONG AND DELIVERS SPENDING PLAN
The Texas House debated its spending plan for 18 hours on March 30 and 31st before passing House Bill 1, its fiscal blueprint for the next two years.
Rookie chairman Warren Chisum of Pampa captained the ship successfully for the leadership that dealt with nearly 250 attempts to change the bill as it emerged from the Appropriations Committee. Chisum was named chairman of the committee after the previous chairman, Jim Pitts of Waxahachie, unsuccessfully challenged House Speaker Tom Craddick.
There were a handful of attempts to steer money away from the highway fund, but they were declared ineligible by Speaker Craddick before the debate began because they were attempts to use constitutionally dedicated funds. A couple of efforts to tie the department's hands on funding and reporting issues (by Reps. Pickett and Leibowitz) were defanged by Chairman Chisum and Transportation Committee Chairman Mike Krusee.
The State Senate is expected to pass its version of funding legislation after the Easter break. Following that action, the leadership on each side will name a conference committee that will hash out the differences between the two bills. The legislature adjourns May 28.
SOUTHERN DALLAS COUNTY IS HOSPITABLE TO TGR LINKSTERS
Despite a steady breeze, more than four score TGR members enjoyed the spring golf tourney March 19 at Tangle Ridge Golf Club in Grand Prairie.
Carrying the first place trophy away was the Chemical Lime team of Dan Cook, Doug Kline, Fred Tucker and Tollie Smith.
Long drive slugger was TXI's Montie Broome, and capturing the finesse award, also known as closest to the pin was Fred Tucker of Chemical Lime Company.
All credit is due to our outstanding committee comprised of Dale Stubblefield and Jim Andoga of Austin Bridge and Road; Joyce Flatt and Shelley Williams of Trinity Highway Products; Beth Adler, Zurich; Doug Alumbaugh, AUI; Art Daniel, AR Daniel Construction Services; Tom Krampitz, Texas Motor Speedway and Rodney Scott, The Lofland Company.
We also acknowledge the strong support of our friends at Austin Bridge & Road who sponsored our lunch for our golfers and Trinity Industries who provided the post-round victuals. And other special sponsorships were also given by J.D. Abrams, L.P.; American Airlines; AUI Contractors, L.P.; Austin White Lime Company; A.L. Helmcamp, Inc.; Holt CAT; J & G Concrete Products, L.P.; Kiewit Texas Construction L.P.; D.L. Lennon, Inc. - Contractor; Longview Bridge & Road; TXI Cement, Aggregate and Lightweight; Williams Brothers Construction Company, Inc and Zurich Surety.
For a complete list of our sponsors, click here.
NOT TOO EARLY SO ENROLL FOR SECOND TRANSPORTATION FORUM
Numerous national and state leaders in transportation will be on the agenda during the Second Annual Texas Transportation Forum, July 18-20, 2007 at the Hilton Austin Hotel. This meeting is a joint venture among Texas Good Roads, the Texas Department of Transportation, the Associated General Contractors of Texas and the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI).
Sign up is available on line at www.TexasTransportationForum.com and reservations are being accepted at the Hilton Austin Hotel. Call 512.482.8000_for a discounted rate on reservations and use code "TX Transportation Forum."
At last year's initial meeting, more than 1,400 paying customers heard from Governor Rick Perry, the members of the Texas Transportation Commission, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norm Mineta and leading members of the Texas Legislature.
REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
By: Lawrence Olsen
(Wednesday, February 21, 2007)
SENATE COMMITTEE APPROVES COMMISSIONERS; FULL SENATE.... NEXT STEP
Wednesday afternoon, the State Senate Nominations Committee unanimously approved Ned Holmes and Fred Underwood for spots on the state's five-member Transportation Commission. Both were appointed by Governor Rick Perry prior to the beginning of the 80th legislative session, and each attended his first Commission meeting January 25 in Duncanville.
Holmes of Houston and Underwood of Lubbock received extensive questions from the members of the panel. Freshman Kirk Watson of Austin said the duo "have chosen to occupy very hot seats'” and asked why each thought controversy was following TxDOT? Mr. Underwood, introduced in glowing terms by his senator, Robert Duncan, said perhaps part of the difficulty was the department had a culture of engineering and perhaps its communications skills could be improved. Mr. Holmes, a former Chairman of the Houston Port Authority, noted that the department had undertaken significant changes in the last few years and that many folks were resistant to change unless it was fully detailed.
Committee vice chairman Kevin Eltife of Tyler, who ran the meeting in the absence of Chairman Mike Jackson, said that “TxDOT was headed in the wrong direction and I do not blame them. I blame the Legislature itself.” Senator Eltife advocated an increase in the gasoline tax to provide more money for the highway program. “For many years, we have starved the Department," added the former Mayor.
At the end of an hour and half session, Senators Eltife and Watson were joined in the approval by Senators Eliot Shapleigh, Robert Nichols and Glenn Hegar. Approval of the full Senate is expected in the near future.
METROPLEX GOLF TOURNEY PICKS GRAND PRAIRIE SITE
The votes are in and the location for the spring TGR golf outing has been selected: Tangle Ridge Golf Club in Grand Prairie, TX on Monday, March 19, 2007.
Now all you have to do is: sign up. You can download registration forms and find more details here.
We tip our hats to our hard working committee that is so generously aiding the association for this tournament: Beth Adler, Zurich; Jim Andoga, Austin Bridge & Road; Doug Alumbaugh, AUI; Art Daniel, AR Daniel Construction Services; Joyce Flatt, Trinity Highway Safety; Tom Krampitz, Texas Motor Speedway; Rodney Scott, The Lofland Company; Dale Stubblefield, Austin Bridge & Road; Kevin Tubb, Mica Corporation and Shelley Williams, Trinity Highway Safety.
Many thanks to our sponsors already on board: Trinity Highway Safety Products, American Airlines, Austin Bridge & Road, Holt CAT, and Chemical Lime Company.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR TEXAS TRANSPORTATION FORUM
Last summer marked the initial gathering of the Texas Transportation Forum that drew 1400 citizens interested in keeping Texas moving. This was a joint venture among the Texas Department of Transportation, Texas Good Roads, the Texas Transportation Institute and the AGC of Texas. This summer, the 2nd Annual Transportation Forum is set for July 18-20, 2007 again at the Austin Downtown Hilton. For registration information go to www.TexasTransportationForum.com.
REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
By: Lawrence Olsen
(Thursday, February 1, 2007)
COMMISSION MEETS IN SOUTHERN DALLAS COUNTY; NEW ROAD HAND REVEALED
Nearly 80 friends and supporters of Texas Good Roads heard from the newest member of the Transportation Commission, Fred Underwood of Lubbock, and three of his senior colleagues here Thursday as the Commission met for the first time in this fast growing area of south Dallas county.
Commissioner Underwood was joined by fellow Commissioners Ted Houghton, Hope Andrade and Chairman Ric Williamson in praising the efforts of the area local leaders in spurring economic development. Emceeing the breakfast was Duncanville City Councilman Grady W. Smithey, Jr., a vigorous advocate of bolstering the southern portion of Dallas County for more than two decades. At the outset of the Commission meeting, Mr. Smithey was officially named as a Road Hand. Houstonian Ned Holmes recently named to the Commission along with Mr. Underwood, was unable to attend the breakfast but did attend and participate in the meeting of the Commission.
Many local officials and leaders were at the breakfast including State Senator Royce West and an aide from the office of Representative Yvonne Davis. Senator West and Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price lavished praise on the department in remarks before the Commission. Good Roads leaders in attendance were executive committee members, Doug Alumbaugh of AUI Contractors; Jeff Collins of LJA Engineering. Williams Brothers' Doug Pitcock and Polk County Judge John Thompson of Livingston
TEXAS HOUSE COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS ARE MADE; CHISUM TO LEAD MONEY PANEL AND KRUSEE RETURNS TO TRANSPORTATION
Speaker Tom Craddick released the committee assignments for the Texas House of Representatives January 26. Round Rock Republican Mike Krusee returns for the third straight session as chairman of the House Transportation Committee. Returning members of the committee are Vice Chairman Larry Phillips (R-Sherman); Richardson Republican Fred Hill and Port Arthur Democrat Joe Deshotel. Linda Harper Brown of Irving, first elected in 2002, will serve as the budget officer for the committee and will hold a seat on the 29-member House Appropriations Committee. El Paso Republican Pat Haggerty also joins the panel along with three freshmen Patricia Harless and Jim Murphy, Houston area Republicans and Republican Nathan Macias of Bulverde.
In February 2006, Lt. Governor David Dewhurst named Dallas Republican John Carona to replace Todd Staples as chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee. Earlier this month Mr. Dewhurst added three senators to the committee: Austin Democrat Kirk Watson, vice chairman; and Republicans Tommy Williams of the Woodlands and Robert Nichols of Jacksonville. Returnees to the committee are Kim Brimer of Fort Worth; Rodney Ellis of Houston; Florence Shapiro of Plano; Eliot Shapleigh of El Paso and Jeff Wentworth of San Antonio.
Pampa Republican Warren Chisum was given the gavel of the House Appropriations panel that has 18 Republicans and 11 Democrats; it is the only committee where all the appointments are made by the Speaker. The other committees are divided between speaker picks and individual member's choices, based on seniority. Ryan Guillen of Rio Grande City is the vice chairman of Appropriations. Four freshmen will serve on the House committee that divvies up the state's coffers. They are Drew Darby of San Angelo; Kirk England of Grand Prairie (served during the special session last spring after winning an unexpired term); Eddie Lucio III of Brownsville and John Zerwas, M.D. of Harris County.
BEGIN WARMUPS; GOLF NOT TOO DISTANT
On the TGR tour, this is the spring for the Metroplex area. A preliminary meeting was held in North Texas last week to fix a specific site and date for the initial golf outing for 2007. Many valiant TGR troops are volunteering their talents in helping us nail down the correct course to lure our many golf fans. The tentative date is the third week of March but we will notify you as soon as this is solidified. A tip of the cap to the following for their assistance: Joyce Flatt and Jason Lynch of Trinity Industries; Art Daniel, AR Daniel Construction Services; Kevin Tubb, Mica Corporation; Jim Andoga and Dale Stubblefield; Austin Bridge & Road; Rodney Scott, The Lofland Company and Tom Krampitz of Texas Motor Speedway.
TRAEGER FAMILY HONORED AT TGR LUNCH
Friends and family of the late State Senator John Traeger of Seguin enjoyed hearing tributes January 19 to the gentleman who served in the State legislature for more than 25 years. TxDOT officials unveiled a replica of the signs that are now placed on SH 123 designating portions of it in the name of Senator Traeger. Several of the TxDOT (then Highway Department) folks who served under Raymond Stotzer in the Seguin residency were among those sharing stories of the fabled lawmaker. In addition, Mary Ann Stotzer, Raymond's widow, was in attendance. TxDOT executive director Mike Behrens said he heard many tales over the years from Stotzer (his predecessor who died in 1989) about the assistance Senator Traeger provided for the Department and the highway program. Seguin's own State Representative Edmund Kuempel passed the legislation designating the Traeger highway and was the luncheon's master of ceremonies.
Mr. Traeger served in the Texas House of Representatives from 1963 to 1973 and in the state senate from 1973 to 1987. He died in 1994. His widow Bernice and a large family contingent were thrilled to hear the well-deserved accolades about their "hero."