Friday, December 17, 2010

TxDOT Fares Well in First Sunset Hearing

What a difference two years makes. When the Sunset Commission held its first hearing in the summer of 2008 on renewing TxDOT, the "we loathe the Department crowd" filled the auditorium. When the Commission held its meeting Wednesday, there were probably less than a dozen who voiced rants against the Department. And significantly most of the panelists who have to draft legislation to continue the Department were laudatory of the positive steps the Commission and the Department have taken to implement reforms suggested two years ago. Mr. Kirby Carpenter, TGR vice president, said our organization was supportive of TxDOT and its mission. He did criticize one suggestion the Sunset Commission staff made in the department's governance; that was a proposal to abolish the Commission and the executive administration and replace these entities with a single commissioner, appointed by the governor. Also having praise for the Department was Tom Johnson representing the AGC of Texas. Those who serve on the Commission (with voting authority) are Senators Glenn Hegar, Juan Hinojosa, Robert Nichols, John Whitmire and Joan Huffman and Representatives Dennis Bonnen, Linda Harper-Brown, Byron Cook, Rafael Anchia and Larry Taylor. Hegar serves as chairman and Bonnen as vice chairman. The commission is slated to vote on TxDOT recommendations January 12. Kuempel Captures House Seat in Special Election In his first bid for political office, Seguin native John Kuempel proved his mettle, defeating nine opponents to become State Representative for District 44. John succeeds his father Edmund who died November 4, two days after being elected to his 14th term in the Texas House of Representatives. Republican Kuempel swamped the field that included six other Republicans, two Democrats and one Libertarian. He garnered 66 percent of the votes and handily carried each of three counties in the district: Guadalupe, Wilson and Gonzales. Congratulations to John and to the people of the district who demonstrated their love and faith in the Kuempel family for its longtime loyalty and service to the area and to Texas. Friday, November 19, 2010 Texas TRIP Report Unveiled at Statewide Press Event November 17th As part of TGR's effort to educate citizens and leaders about the dire situation facing our highway program we asked our allies at the Road Information Program (TRIP) to perform an indepth survey. The contents were made public Wednesday in Austin. Click here to download a copy of the TRIP report, the actual press conference and a listing of the media outlets which have reported on the TRIP report. TGR has made visited more than a dozen sites across the state in the last ten days to share the contents of the TRIP report and other studies which make clear that funding for Texas' highway programs is sorely lacking. Appearing at a kickoff meeting in Sherman was Representative Larry Phillips, who chairs the Select Committee on Transportation. Participating at multiple sites in West Texas during a two-day tour was Representative Drew Darby of San Angelo. Mr. Darby chairs the Transportation Funding subcommittee of the 15- member select committee. Wednesday, July 14, 2010 Lt. Governor Dewhurst Names Senator Tommy Williams Chairman of Transportation & Homeland Security Committee Today, Texas Lt. Governor David Dewhurst named several committee leaders in the 31-member Texas Senate. Senator Tommy Williams of The Woodlands is the new chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security. Former chairman John Carona of Dallas will chair the Business and Commerce Committee. Burnet State Senator Troy Fraser, who formerly chaired the Business Committee, will become the new chairman of the Senate Natural Resources Committee. That chairmanship became vacant with the resignation of Senator Kip Averitt of Waco who resigned March 17. All other members of the Transportation Committee continued their service. They are: Senator Kirk Watson of Austin, vice chairman; Wendy Davis of Fort Worth; Rodney Ellis of Houston; Joan Huffman of Houston; Robert Nichols of Jacksonville; Florence Shapiro of Plano; Eliot Shapleigh of El Paso and Jeff Wentworth of San Antonio. Download the press release and the complete list of committees. Friday, July 2, 2010 Highway Supporters Mourn Loss of Giant, Governor Dolph Briscoe Several years ago a Texas Good Roads committee established the TGR Hall of Honor and declared that it would induct a very selective group of individuals, from both the public and private sector, who had made extraordinary, long-term commitments to the cause. Since, only four gentlemen who have been named: L.P "Pete" Gilvin of Amarillo; Dewitt Greer of Austin, Doug Pitcock of Houston and Gov. Dolph Briscoe of Uvalde. On June 27, Governor Briscoe, at 87, died in his hometown and was buried there July 1. What a legacy he leaves. From his very successful father, only child Dolph inherited a large bounty of land and an even bigger dose of common-sense, business acumen and a dedication to public service. After his graduation from the University of Texas, the south Texan served with distinction in World War II. His try for public office was the Texas House of Representatives, in 1948 and was elected and served three terms. During that time, he teamed with Senator Neveille Colson of Navasota to enact the Briscoe-Colson Act, which provided a dedicated fund to build the state's extensive farm to market roads (comparable in mileage to the federal interstate highway system). After leaving the legislature in 1955, Mr. Briscoe continued to achieve success in ranching and banking operations. While heading the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, he vigorously pushed the winning effort to eradicate the pesky screwworm fly, the bane of the cowman for decades. The respect he already had among the agricultural and beef industry was enhanced even more. After a hiatus of 13 years, in 1968, he dipped his toe back in the political waters and ran a respectable fourth in a crowded field for the governor's mansion vacated by fellow South Texas native, John B. Connally. The primary was captured by Lt. Governor Preston Smith of Lubbock in a runoff with liberal attorney Don Yarborough of Houston. In 1972, Briscoe jumped in against wounded incumbent Smith, whose name have figured prominently in the Sharpstown banking scandal which saw former House Speaker Gus Mutscher convicted. Briscoe and redhot lib Frances Farenthold, a two term House member from Corpus Christi, bested incumbent Smith and "establishment" favorite, Ben Frank Barnes, the "boy-wonder"(age 34) lieutenant governor of Brownwood. Briscoe roundly thrashed Mrs. Farenthold in the runoff and defeated former state senator Henry C. Grover of Houston, the GOP candidate, in the general election to become Texas' 40th governor. Governor Briscoe served with distinction and was the last governor to serve a two-year term. Texans had approved a change in the constitution so that all statewide offices would be for four, rather than two years. In 1974, Governor Briscoe was the first elected to a four-year term. In a1977, Governor Briscoe was the driving force behind legislation that guaranteed the Highway Dept. revenues from the general fund because the monies derived the motor fuels tax and registration fees were insufficient to meet the demands of the state's rapid growth. The boom in world old prices had given the state bountiful revenue so it was imprudent to attempt an increase in user fees. Gov. Briscoe lost the Democratic primary in 1978 to a more liberal Democrat, attorney general John Luke Hill, a former plaintiff's lawyer from Houston. This pretty well marked the end of the conservative or Tory Democrats that had ruled Texas since reconstruction. Many Briscoe supporters abandoned Hill in November and Texas elected its first Republican since the 19th century, a little known, gruff-talking oil man from Highland Park, William P. Clements. In his years after leaving the Mansion, Gov. Briscoe remained a Democrat, albeit a fiscally conservative one. He and his beloved wife Janey, who died in 2000, were among the state's leading philanthropists and among those institutions which benefited greatly from that generosity were the University of Texas and the UT Center for American History, M.D. Anderson and UT Health Science Center at San Antonio. And the Gov. remained a strong financial supporter of Texas Good Roads Association, as well. In 2008, he authored a delightful autobiography, My Life in Texas Ranching and Politics, published by Center for American History, at UT. His co-author, Don Carleton, said Governo Briscoe was wonderful to work with but was one of the few political figures he had ever worked with who was reluctant to talk about himself. This giant was rare among his species, letting his actions speak louder than his words. A live very well lived, indeed. Thanks Governor Briscoe and God's speed. Monday, February 22, 2010 Transportation Funding Committee Named by Speaker Straus Texas House Speaker Joe Straus has given key roles to three legislators who will undertake an extensive study of the state's transportation funding. Chairing the House Select Committee on Transportation Funding will be Representative Larry Phillips (R-Sherman). Co-chairing the group's two subcommittees will be Representative Drew Darby (R-San Angelo) and Representative Ryan Guillen (D- Rio Grande City). Serving as vice-chairman of the overall House Select Committee is Austin Democratic Eddie Rodriguez. Darby will spearhead the Funding Subcommittee. A title company owner and attorney, Darby was elected in 2006, ousting an incumbent in a primary battle. Last session Darby was a key member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee that dealt with TxDOT funding. He will be joined on the subcommittee by Patricia Harless, a Republican from Spring, also elected in 2006 and a car dealer; Todd Hunter, Corpus attorney elected in 2008 as a Republican (Hunter had served several terms as a Democrat before retiring and later reemerging as a GOPer); Vicki Truitt, elected in 1998, a Republican from Southlake in fast growing northern Tarrant County; Ruth Jones McClendon, a San Antonio Democrat and a key member of the Straus team as a appropriations' conferee; Representative Rodriguez, an Austin attorney elected in 2002 and Representative Joe Pickett of El Paso, chairman of the House Transportation Committee and a 16-year House veteran. Guillen, a rancher and A&M graduate, will chair the Subcommittee on Planning and Accountability. Serving with Guillen will be Democrats Robert Alonzo of Dallas, an attorney who has served seven terms (non-consecutively); Armando (Mando) Martinez of Weslaco, a firefighter and paramedic and Houston lawyer Senfronia Thompson of Houston, second in the House in seniority, with her election term in 1973. Republicans serving on the Guillen subcommittee that will focus on the policies and administration of the department are Edmund Kuempel of Seguin, a salesman first elected in 1982 and Wayne Smith of Baytown and Bill Callegari of Katy, both civil engineers. Callegari won his seat in 2000 and Smith, originally from Odessa, was elected in the 2002 contests, following redistricting. Of the membership of the select committee the following also serve on the House Transportation Committee: Pickett, Phillips, Wayne Smith, Callegari, McClendon and Guillen. When Phillips won a special election in 2003 (succeeding a member who became a federal judge), he was number 150 (out of 150) in seniority, but he was quick learner and has served on the Transportation Committee in each of his four terms. An attorney who attended high school in Austin, Phillips proved a quick learner in the lingo of the Department of Transportation. Tuesday, October 6, 2009 Senators Named to Sunset Panel Today Lt. Governor David Dewhurst named three senators to the Sunset Advisory Commission. The trio joins holdover appointees, Glen Hegar of Katy, who will serve as Chairman and Juan Hinojsa of McAllen. Newly appointed are John Whitmire of Houston, dean (longest serving member) of the senate; Robert Nichols of Jacksonville and Joan Huffman of Houston. Hinojosa and Whitmire are Democrats and the other senators are Republicans. Public member Charles McMahen of Schulenburg was reappointed to fill out the term of the late Michael Stevens of Houston. McMahen is a retired Houston businessman. On the lengthy agenda during its service is the Department of Transportation. The Department was under Sunset review during the recently completed legislative session but no bill was passed and the review was postponed until the 82nd session, convening in January 2011. Thursday, July 2, 2009 Legislature Passes Bonds, TxDOT Extension and Quits The first called special session of the Texas Legislature, 81st edition, adjourned this afternoon. It passed the first two items in the governor's call, SB 2—extending the lifespan of the Texas Department of Transportation and four other state agencies until September 1, 2011, and HB 1—enabling legislation so that TxDOT can utilize $2 billion in general obligation bonds Texas voters approved in November, 2007. Voters okayed $5 billion in bonds so future legislators can authorize $3 billion more by using general revenues to collateralize the debt. An amendment passed in the House gives the Department $1 billion for highway construction, and $1 billion for use by the State Infrastructure Bank. The last item requested by Governor Rick Perry, extension of the deadline for a handful of a comprehensive development agreements, was introduced and discussed at length in committees of each house but was not favorably reported from committee in either body. Thursday, June 25, 2009 Special Session July 1 Today, Governor Rick Perry issued the proclamation for the Special Session that will convene Wednesday, July 1 at 10 a.m. The issues the Governor has stated he wants considered are the extension of 5 state agencies, including the Texas Department of Transportation. These agencies were not extended during the sunset process during the regular session. The Governor also included in his call, the $2 billion in general obligation bonds for TxDOT, to be used for building roads and bridges. The Governor’s Proclamation Tuesday, June 2, 2009 81st Session Ends with Five State Agencies in Limbo and Bonds Unauthorized Last night the Texas Legislature adjourned without reauthorizing five agencies that were under the Sunset process and without passing legislation necessary to spend the general obligations bonds which Texans approved in November, 2007. Under the able leadership of Lt. Governor David Dewhurst, the Senate adjourned early before adopting a House passed resolution that would have extended the agencies, including TxDOT, for two years. About three hours earlier, around 6 p.m, the House had adjourned without adopting a Senate bill that included the authorization to spend $2 billion in general obligation bonds for highways. The Appropriations bill included the general revenue ($100) million to collateralize the issuance of these bonds. Numerous Senators spoke in favoring of adjourning without adopting the House agency extension because they supported the governor calling a special session to approve the so-called safety net legislation (for agencies under the Sunset process which are not approved by the Legislature) and to pass the bonding legislation for building highways. Lt. Governor Dewhurst and the senators supporting adjournment deserve our commendation. Under the Sunset process all agencies have one year from their sunset, in this case, September 1, 2009, to begin the winding down process. Friday, May 22, 2009 81st Texas Legislative Session Enters Stretch Run With a midnight June 1 deadline looming, this figures to be a busy weekend for both the Texas House and Senate as they race to pass bills before the speaker and the lieutenant governor both declare adjournment sine die (Latin for without a day). Now at the printer is the one bill that must pass to avoid a special session, the Appropriations legislation, Senate Bill 1. Senator Chairman Steve Ogden of Bryan, leader of the ten-person conference committee that crafted the state spending bill, has announced that Tuesday the bill will be okayed by the conference committee. Approval by both houses of the two-year $184 billion budget should occur within 48 hours of the green light by the conference committee. Either tomorrow, or more likely Monday, the Senate will consider its version of the TxDOT Sunset legislation. Wednesday the Senate Transportation Committee approved HB 300, but it has little resemblance to the bill passed a couple of weeks earlier by the House. After the Senate passes the bill, the House will reject the amendments added by the Senate and a conference committee will be named to attempt to iron out the differences between the two bills. Still to be approved by the House is SB 263 by Carona (Pickett-House sponsor) which provided the needed authority to spend the $2 billion in general obligation bonds for highway improvements. Funding for the underwriting of these costs of issuing these bonds ($100 in general revenue) is in the Appropriations. Also awaiting action by the House is SJR 9 that calls for a long phase out of diverting highway funds. At this point, the House is moving very slowly because many of the Democrats are trying to stall action on the Senate bill voter identification bill, set for tomorrow's calendar. Friday, May 8, 2009 STEP ONE ALMOST DONE IN TxDOT SUNSET PROCESS During nearly 12 hours debate stretched over two days, the Texas House of Representatives today has tentatively adopted a brand new leadership and program model for transportation in Texas. The House will take a final vote Monday on HB 300 and then the action will shift to the Texas Senate. The debate started with a bang when the language in the bill to retain a five-member commission was quickly shot down by Representative Ruth Jones McClendon in favor of single elected commissioner. On the heels of that, the House also voted to elect 14 regional commissioners of transportation. Co-authors of the bill, Representative Carl Isett of Lubbock and Joe Pickett of El Paso, had an easier time with most other efforts to alter the bill by either taking or slightly modifying the amendments. The joint authors, Isett, the chairman of the Sunset Advisory Commission and Pickett, Transportation Committee Chairman, agreed to a proposal by Representative Drew Darby of San Angelo which changed the bill's intent to discharge a few thousand TxDOT employees and then conduct a study. Mr. Darby's approach was to have a study first and then make a decision based on the factual findings. There was little, if any discussion, about Chairman Pickett's shifting nearly all decisions on transportation projects away from statewide control to 25 metropolitan and rural planning organizations. After the House approves the bill next week, the Senate is likely to move quickly on its version of the legislation and odds are high that it will differ significantly. The 81st session of the Texas Legislature ends June 1. Friday, April 10, 2009 CHAIRMAN CARONA HIGHLIGHTS UNDERFUNDING OF TxDOT After hearing compelling testimony from Chairman Mike Walton and HEB Transportation Director Ken Allen, Senator John Carona held a press conference to highlight the funding of the 2030 Committee. Following the unified voices of several members of the Senate Transportation Committee, the Senate gave tentative approval to Mr. Carona's SB 855 which would permit certain cities and counties to hold elections to approve increased motor fuels taxes and registration fees for building infrastructure. Mr. Carona added an amendment that the law would not take effect until Texas voters approved his SJR 9 which phases out diversions from the Highway Fund (6) over a nine-year period. The 2030 Committee was a blue ribbon panels of a dozen transportation experts selected by Texas Transportation Chairman Deidre Delisi last April. The Committee finished its study in December and reported the findings to the Commission. Download Press Release Here. Thursday, March 5, 2009 COMMISSION APPROVES STIMULUS PACKAGE On a unanimous vote, the five-member Texas Transportation Commission approved the final 29 projects funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), often tabbed the stimulus package. Assistant Executive Director John Barton detailed the proposal and then 30 witnesses testified. A majority supported the Commission moving forward today to approve the package, while a strong minority wanted the Commission to delay or to approve its specific project that had not made the list. Three state representatives, Richard Raymond of Laredo, Ryan Guillen of Rio Grande City and Ralph Sheffield applauded the Commission action and urged it to move expeditiously. A staffer for Senator Troy Fraser echoed the same sentiment. Representative Charles "Doc" Anderson of Waco urged the Commission to delay action. Mr. Barton explained that the allocation of the final $1.2 billion, by merging with monies from other agencies and additional resources, could build more than $2.6 billion in new highway projects across Texas. A week earlier the Commission voted to spend $500 million of stimulus monies for 266 maintenance projects. An additional $500 million is available to the state's metropolitan planning organization for discretionary use. With a total of a bit north of $3 billion, nearly 100,000 jobs (direct and indirect) will be created by this infusion of money from the Obama Administration and the United States Congress. More information and a complete list of the 29 projects here. Thursday, February 12, 2009 HOUSE COMMITTEES NAMED Freshman Speaker Joe Straus answered the questions on the collective minds of his 149 colleagues since his election last month by naming the leaders of 34 House committees today. Reflecting the 76R-74D split in the House, his committees will be chaired by 18 Republicans and 16 Democrats. A Democrat, Jim Dunnam, will chair a special select committee dealing with the federal stimulus package. Straus named Democrat Joe Pickett of El Paso to lead the nine-member House Transportation Committee. Mr. Pickett, a member since 1995, has served on the Transportation Committee in previous sessions. Republican Larry Phillips of Sherman will again serve as committee vice chairman. He and Irving Republican Linda Harper Brown are the only holdovers from last session. Other appointees are: Bill Callegari (R-Katy); Yvonne Davis (D-Dallas); Tommy Merritt (R-Longview); Todd Smith (R-Euless); Jim Dunnam (D-Waco); Ryan Guillen (D-Rio Grande City); Ruth Jones McLendon (D-San Antonio) and Wayne Smith (R-Houston).Representatives Davis, Merritt, Todd Smith and McLendon will also chair other committees. Representative Jim Pitts of Waxahachie will chair the 27-member Appropriations Committee, composed of 15 Republicans and 12 Democrats. Richard Raymond, Democrat of Laredo, will be the committee vice chairman. Among those who will return to the Appropriations Committee from last session are Dawnna Dukes (D-Austin); Drew Darby (R-San Angelo) and Carl Isett (R-Lubbock), among others. One of two freshmen named to the "spending" committee was Doug Miller (R-New Braunfels). The Appropriations Committee announced its first hearing for this afternoon. Its counterpart, the Senate Finance Committee, has been entertaining testimony of Senate Bill 1, the funding bill, for more than a week. Download a complete list of the House committees here. Wednesday, November 5, 2008 LONE STAR STATE GOES AGAINST NATIONAL GRAIN; VOTES FOR McCAIN & ALL STATEWIDE GOP CANDIDATES; SENATOR BRIMER LOSES AND DEMOCRATS GAIN IN TEXAS HOUSE Despite carrying the states two most populous counties (Harris and Dallas), Democrat Barack Obama met the same fate of every standard bearer of his party since 1976 in Texas, losing to Senator John McCain by a 55-44 margin. U.S. Senator John Cornyn, R, was elected to his second term over his Democratic opponent, Texas State Representative Rick Noriega, 55-43 percent. The only member of the Congressional delegation to fail in a reelection bid was Democrat Nick Lampson of District 22, centered to the north and east of Harris County; Lampson had captured this district two years ago after incumbent Republican Tom DeLay resigned too late for a fellow GOP to qualify for the ballot. All statewide Republican candidates for judicial office and the railroad commission (Michael Williams) were victorious but their margins were considerably less than what had been enjoyed in previous election cycles. Veteran legislator Kim Brimer of Fort Worth (six terms in the House) and a member of the Senate since 2002 was defeated by Democrat Wendy Davis by about 7,000 votes out of 287,000 cast. Mrs. Davis is a former member of the Fort Worth City Council. As the election began, Republican House Speaker Tom Craddick and his party enjoyed a 79-71 majority; after the smoke cleared (with serious ground battles in both the Metroplex and Houston), the majority had shrunk to 76-74. Republicans who were kayoed include Tony Goolsby of Dallas, Bill Zedler of Fort Worth and Jim Murphy of Houston. Incumbent Democrats who were unsuccessful were Juan Garcia of Corpus Christi and Dan Barrett of Fort Worth. The Republicans picked up one open seat held by the other party, and the Democrats scooped up a trio of seat previously held by the Republicans. One seat that gives the Republicans its majority was won by Linda Harper Brown of Irving and she had a final lead of 20 some odd votes. Obviously, this will go to a recount. Monday, January 28, 2008 GOVERNOR PERRY NAMES ANDRADE INTERIM CHAIR OF TEXAS TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today named Esperanza "Hope" Andrade of San Antonio interim chair of the Texas Transportation Commission for a term to expire at the pleasure of the governor. The commission oversees the statewide activities of the Texas Department of Transportation. Andrade has served on the commission since 2003. She was previously appointed by Gov. Perry to the Texas Turnpike Commission, which was merged into the Texas Department of Transportation. Andrade also served on Via Metropolitan Transit and the Free Trade Alliance. http://www.governor.state.tx.us/divisions/press/appointments/Appointment.2008-01-28.3848 Tuesday, November 27, 2007 STATE REPRESENTATIVE MIKE KRUSEE ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT State Representative Mike Krusee of Round Rock has announced he will not seek reelection next year to the seat he has held since 1991. Since 2003, Krusee has chaired the House Transportation Committee. Krusee becomes the ninth member to announce he will not return in 2009. He joins the following, who also headed a committee under House Speaker Tom Craddick: Diane Delisi of Temple; Fred Hill of Dallas; Robert Puente of San Antonio and Anna Mowery of Fort Worth who resigned this summer. Others who have announced they will not return are Rick Noriega, who will seek the Democratic nomination for the right to oppose U.S. Senator John Cornyn and Pasadena's Robert Talton who said he will seek to unseat Congressman Nick Lampson in the 22nd District. Also retiring, after one term, is Mike O'Day of Pearland. Filing for all statewide and legislative offices begins Monday December 3 and ends January 2. Wednesday, November 7, 2007 TEXANS STRONGLY ENDORSE FIVE BILLION IN HIGHWAY BONDS Some 63 percent of Texans voted yes to Proposition 12 in yesterday's light turnout for the state constitutional amendment election. Prop. 12 authorizes the issuance of up to $5 billion in general obligation bonds for highway improvements. The next session of the Texas Legislature (convening in January 2009) will fill in the details on the amendment that was authored by Senator John Carona of Dallas, chairman of the Senate Committee on Transportation and Homeland Security. All other amendments passed, with the highest number of voters participating in the $3 billion for cancer research that garnered 61 percent. During the last 90 days TGR has worked closely with TxDOT leaders, elected officials and community leaders to publicize Proposition 12. A special tip of the hat to all members of the Commission: Chairman Ric Williamson, Hope Andrade, Ted Houghton, Ned Holmes and Fred Underwood all of whom appeared at TGR events to shed more light on the Department's dire financial situation. TGR President Howard Cowan and scores of other TGR leaders were instrumental in this effort, which will be explored more fully in a future publication. Wednesday, October 31, 2007 CHAIRMAN CARONA REVEALS NOMINATIONS AT TGR BREAKFAST At a TGR breakfast in Dallas October 31, State Senator John Caron announced that Lt. Governor Dewhurst has named him, and Senators Tommy Williams and Robert Nichols to the interim study mandated by Senate Bill 792. This nine-member group is to study and report to the next legislature regarding comprehensive development agreements (CDAs) and methods of funding such entities. Recently House Speaker Tom Craddick selected his trio of nominees: Reps. Larry Phillips of Sherman, Wayne Smith of Baytown and Aaron Pena, of Edinburg. The final three nominees will be selected by Governor Rick Perry. Thursday, September 27, 2007 TxDOT SELECTS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AUSTIN - Amadeo Saenz, a transportation engineer with 29 years state experience, including leadership roles in Pharr and Austin, is the new executive director of the Texas Department of Transportation, becoming the first Hispanic to head the agency in its 90-year history. Saenz, 51, was named to the state’s top transportation position today by the Texas Transportation Commission. He becomes the 19th person to head the transportation agency since it was created in 1917. “Amadeo has the unique combination of experience, knowledge and skill necessary to lead TxDOT and meet the growing transportation challenge we face in Texas,” said Ric Williamson, Texas Transportation Commission chairman. Since 2001, Saenz has served as TxDOT’s assistant executive director for engineering operations. He has been instrumental in implementing the department’s strategies to use all financial options to build transportation projects, empower local and regional leaders to solve transportation problems, increase competition to reduce costs and make consumer-driven decisions. “Amadeo is eminently qualified to focus the employees of the department on reducing congestion, enhancing safety, expanding economic opportunity, improving air quality and increasing the value of the state’s transportation assets,” said commission member Fred Underwood. Saenz, a native of Hebbronville, was district engineer in TxDOT’s Pharr District from 1993 to 2001 and was in charge of all department activities in an eight-county region. He oversaw TxDOT’s response when the Queen Isabella Causeway was hit by a barge in 2001 and directed emergency repairs, which were completed in less than three months. Saenz held numerous other engineering positions in the Pharr District after joining TxDOT in 1978. Posted on Thursday, September 20, 2007 ROAD REVENUE FROM: Star-Telegram Anyone who regularly drives in Texas, especially in burgeoning metropolitan areas, can't escape the obvious: We've got an aging and deteriorating road system that becomes more congested each year as a result of relentless population growth and inadequate transportation funding. That's precisely why gridlock-weary Metroplex motorists and Texans elsewhere should vote in favor of Proposition 12, a proposed state constitutional amendment on the Nov. 6 general election ballot. It would allow the Legislature to authorize the Texas Transportation Commission to issue general obligation bonds totaling up to $5 billion for highway projects. The annual mobility report of the Texas Transportation Institute at Texas A&M University, released Tuesday, details how congestion is worsening in the state's three biggest urban areas: Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and Austin-San Antonio. In the D-FW area, the average motorist experienced 58 hours of delay in 2005. That's up seven hours from 2004 and is nearly six times the mere 10 hours of delay that the average Metroplex motorist experienced in 1982. This area now holds the dubious distinction of having the worst gridlock in Texas, even outstripping famously traffic-choked Houston, where the average motorist lost 56 hours to inertia. Although we strongly favor passage of Proposition 12, we also would fervently urge that the Legislature, in its regular 2009 biennial session, approve a substantial increase in the state gasoline tax of 20 cents per gallon. It hasn't been increased in 16 long years, and inflation has greatly eroded its buying power. Costs for highway right-of-way acquisition and construction have skyrocketed in heavily urbanized areas where the congestion is worst and the funding needs are the greatest. Raising the gasoline tax would increase the state's chief "pay-as-you-go" funding source for transportation. That would help relieve the debt burden on future generations and limit the number of toll roads needed. State lawmakers also should pass legislation giving cities and counties the authority to hold local-option elections in which voters could decide whether to approve a sales tax increase of a half-cent to a penny (per $100 of taxable goods sold) to fund public transit improvements such as a proposed regional rail system in the D-FW area. Even with expanded transit systems, however, the need for new and expanded roadways will remain high. The Star-Telegram Editorial Board recommends a yes vote for Proposition 12. PROPOSITION 12 On the ballot: "The constitutional amendment providing for the issuance of general obligation bonds by the Texas Transportation Commission in an amount not to exceed $5 billion for funding of highway improvement projects." September 14, 2007 LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ANALYZES PROPOSITION Click here to download the document. August 30, 2007 TxDOT INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NAMED Wednesday evening the Texas Transportation Commission announced the appointment of Steve Simmons as interim executive director of the Department of Transportation. Simmons has served as deputy executive director of the agency since 2001 and is 25-year department veteran. A spokesman for the commission announced the action about 6:30 p.m. The commission had convened at 9 a.m and after disposing of one technical matter in connection with the North Texas SH 121 issue, it adjourned to executive session. Reportedly Simmons was among four candidates interviewed for the department's top post. Executive director Mike Behrens who has guided the agency since 2001, retires August 31(Friday). The next step in the hiring process was not addressed in the department's announcement. Its next regularly scheduled commission meeting is set in Austin September 27 but a specially called meeting of the five member body is possible. June 28, 2007 COMMISSION ACTS ON SH 121 PROPOSAL Today, the Texas Transportation Commission affirmed the June 18th recommendation by the Metroplex planning organization that the North Texas Toll Authority (NTTA) be the controlling entity for the SH 121 toll project. In February, the Commission approved a contract with the Cintra, a Spanish corporation, to be the controlling entity for what is considered to be a very profitable toll-road. The 80th session of the Texas Legislature compelled TxDOT to reopen the bidding process so that NTTA could submit its proposal. The Commission okayed the actions of the Regional Transportation Council (RTC) by a vote of 4-1, with Commissioner Ted Houghton dissenting. May 29, 2007 80TH LEGISLATURE CLOSES WITH RANCOR IN THE TEXAS HOUSE AUSTIN---- With House Speaker Tom Craddick taking serious pounding from many of his colleagues, the 80th session ended at midnight on Memorial Day. Now Gov. Rick Perry has until June 17 to decide whether he will sign or veto hundreds of bill sent him by legislators. One bill which had to pass to prevent a special session was the legislation to fund the state for the next two years. House Bill 1, authored by Rep. Warren Chisum, spends $152.5 billion (in state and federal dollars) for the next biennium that starts Sep. 1, 2007. TxDOT 's share of that spending is $16.7 billion that is an increase over the $15.1 billion it was allocated in the current budget. According to the Dept's financial office, TxDOT will actually exceed the FY 2006-7 estimate by nearly $600 million because of increased federal funds and additional bond proceeds. Nearly 3/4 of that $16.7 billion is to be spent for transportation construction, aviation services, contracted maintenance and routine maintenance. Another $1.6 billion is slotted for right of way purchases; this amount could increase if certain legislation favoring eminent domain attorneys becomes effective. The highway budget estimates that the state will receive about $6.5 billion in federal reimbursements during the next two fiscal years. Recently the Federal Highway Administration has cut more than $600 million in funding to Texas because of federal budget shortfalls. On May 26, the legislature sent the governor the compromise legislation, SB 792, which deals with the dual questions of a moratorium on public private partnerships and the TxDOT relationship with local awarding entities. This agreement was hashed out following Governor Perry's veto of HB 1892 which dealt with the same topics. No effort was made to override the governor's action. Speaker Craddick was contested at the beginning of this session for his third term by a member of his own Republican party. He faced sniping throughout the session by both Democrats and Republicans. He informed the membership that no members would be recognized for a motion to vacate the chair because such a motion was not in the House rules. At session's end, at least six of his colleagues had filed the paperwork necessary for a speaker candidacy in the 81st Legislature that convenes in January 2009. May 22, 2007 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE This morning the Texas House named its conferees for Senate Bill 792, the effort at compromise legislation dealing with the moratorium on public-private toll roads and defining the relationship between TxDOT and local contracting entities. The Senate named its conferees May 18. Senate conferees are Tommy Williams, the Woodlands, chairman; Kim Brimer, Fort Worth, John Carona, Dallas, Robert Nichols, Jacksonville and Eliot Shapleigh, El Paso. House conferees are Wayne Smith, Baytown, chairman; Lois Kolkhorst, Brenham; Joe Pickett, El Paso; Patricia Harless, Houston and Larry Phillips, Sherman. Shapleigh and Pickett are Democrats and the remainders are Republicans. On Friday, Governor Rick Perry vetoed HB 1892, which had similar content to SB 792. However, the Governor's office worked closely with members in both houses to fashion the compromise. When the House dealt with the Senate version May 17, it added around 20 amendments most of which would agreed to without debate. In other legislative news, the Senate Friday rejected the House bill that suspended the motor fuels tax for 90 days and asked for a conference committee on SB 1886. Carona is the author and Jim Keffer ss the House sponsor of the legislation which began as an attempt to make technical corrections to motor fuels taxes. February 27, 2007 SH 121 COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT NEWS TxDOT Public Information Office For Immediate Release Toll Road Developer Proposed for SH 121 in Collin and Denton Counties Region to get $2.8 billion for other transportation needs February 27, 2007 (Arlington, TX) - Cintra Concesiones de Infraestructuras de Transporte (Cintra) will be recommended as the Comprehensive Development Agreement (CDA) developer for State Highway 121 in Collin and Denton Counties, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) announced today. As part of its proposal, Cintra will pay the region $2.8 billion. These funds will allow the Regional Transportation Council to provide and accelerate funding for needed transportation projects throughout the region. “This CDA will allow us to leverage scarce transportation funding to address critical transportation improvement needs in the region,” said Michael Morris, director of transportation for the North Central Texas Council of Governments. “The money from this CDA will allow us to build transportation improvements we could otherwise not afford.” This CDA is a public-private partnership that allows the provider to handle all facets of developing the toll road, including completing constructio and operating and maintaining the corridor. Three firms have competed for the SH 121 CDA since last summer. The proposals were reviewed and scored based on selection criteria set forth by the Regional Transportation Council, the metropolitan planning agency for the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Based on its review and scoring of the proposals, TxDOT staff will recommend awarding the CDA to Cintra at a meeting Wednesday of the Texas Transportation Commission. If approved by the transportation commission, the award is conditional until the final environmental clearance of the SH 121 segment in Collin County (from the Dallas North Tollway to US 75) and the successful financial close of the agreement. If the selected developer is unable to achieve financial close, TxDOT will consider the next best value proposal for the CDA. While traditional funding sources have not kept pace with rapid growth in Texas, TxDOT is working to reduce congestion, enhance safety, expand economic opportunity, improve air quality and increase the value of transportation assets. Using all available financial tools, such as CDAs, and empowering regional officials to solve regional transportation problems are two of TxDOT's tactics to achieve its goals. About the Regional Transportation Council: The Regional Transportation Council (RTC) of the North Central Texas Council of Governments has served as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for regional transportation planning in the Dallas-Fort Worth area since 1974. The MPO works in cooperation with the region’s transportation providers to address the complex transportation needs of the rapidly growing metropolitan area. The Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area includes Collin, Dallas, Denton, Rockwall and Tarrant Counties, as well as portions of Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman and Parker Counties. The RTC’s 40 members include local elected or appointed officials from the metropolitan area and representatives from each of the area’s transportation providers. More information can be found at www.nctcog.org. For more information contact: Mark A. Ball, Public Information Officer, (214) 320-4481 January 9, 2007 REPRESENTATIVE CRADDICK REELCTED AS CHALLEGNER PITTS WITHDRAWS After four hours of debate on the method for choosing the Speaker, challenger Jim Pitts withdrew and Speaker Tom Craddick was reelected. The key vote occurred on a motion that would allow each member to cast a paper ballot and after the votes were counted and announced, the votes would be made public. This proposal passed by a margin of 96-51. An alternative proposal, made by Pitts supporter Charlie Geren, would have allowed the same voting procedure but the votes would not be made public until after the Speaker made committee assignments. The Geren amendment lost 80-68. GOVERNOR PERRY NAMES TWO NEW COMMISSIONER MEMBERS Houstonian Ned S. Holmes and Lubbockite Fred Underwood have been named to the Texas Transportation Commission by Governor Perry. Holmes fills the slot vacated by fellow Bayou City resident John W. Johnson first named to the Commission by Governor George Bush in 1999. Businessman Johnson served as chairman from 2000 to 2004. Chairman and chief executive of Parkway Investments, a real estate development and management company, Holmes now serves on the State Parks and Wildlife Commission a post he will resign. Previously he chaired the Port of Houston Authority and led the Greater Houston Partnership. Underwood is president and chief executive officer of the Trinity Co., a cotton bale storage facility. He will replace Robert Nichols of Jacksonville in the "rural" slot, designated by law for the five-member commission. Nichols quit the Commission in the summer of 2005 to run successfully for the state senate from East Texas. Mr. Nichols was sworn in today to replace Todd Staples, elected as the State's agriculture commissioner in November. Both Holmes and Underwood are subject to confirmation by the State senate. FORMER TEXAS HOUSE SPEAKER BILLY CLAYTON DIES A West Texas farmer and Aggie, Billy Clayton was the first Speaker of the Texas House to serve more than the traditional two terms in that role. He died at age 78, January 6 in Lubbock after a long illness. Elected in 1962, he quickly became a House expert in the water arena and parlayed his good ole boy style into the House's top spot in 1975 defeating a liberal Democrat, Carl Parker, of Port Arthur. He served four terms as Speaker. He will be buried in his hometown of Springlake (Lamb County) Wednesday after services at the First Baptist Church.

 

October 23, 2006

THE POLLS ARE OPEN FOR EARLY VOTING

Texans will choose a U.S. Senator, a governor, 166 members of the Texas Legislature and a myriad of local and county offices November 7. Early voting starts today and will continue through Friday, November 3. The Secretary of State's office will issue its estimate on voter turnout after about a week of the early voting process. In 2002, the last non-presidential election, about 36 percent of Texans participated—a total of 4.5 million voters. Four years earlier, the turnout was about 32 percent. The governor's race appears, at this point, the only race generating much publicity. Republicans now hold all statewide offices. For the Democrats to make a breakthrough would appear to require a very unusual alignment of stars. Of the 32 Congressional seats, only a couple seem to be in play. Per normal, the GOP is targeting 17th district Congressman Chet Edwards of Waco. But Edwards is a very formidable campaigner, and the former aide to the late Congressman Tiger Teague is expected to break even in GOP stronghold Brazos County, leading to reelection. The other Congressional race intriguing observers is the fight to replace Tom DeLay in District 22, near Houston. The Democratic standard bearer Nick Lampson is favored to win despite the district being a majority Republican. DeLay 's difficulties in resigning resulted in the GOP having to mount a write in candidacy in the person of Houston City Council member Shelley Sekula-Gibbs. Historians note than only four members of Congress have even been elected via a write-in, so Ms. Sekula-Gibbs faces an uphill climb.

FEDERAL POSTS ARE FILLED

The U.S. Congress limped into a pre-election recess, the U.S. Senate confirmed Mary Peters as the new Secretary of Transportation. President George Bush named Mrs. Peters to succeed Secretary Norm Mineta. Mineta resigned this summer, not long after his keynote address at the TGR sponsored Texas Transportation Forum in Austin. Mrs. Peters previously served in the Bush Administration as the Federal Highway Administrator and as the chief executive of the Arizona department of Transportation.

In related news, FHWA Administrator Rich Capka has appointed Janice Brown to the Texas post vacated by Dan Reagan earlier this year. Ms. Brown is a 30-year veteran of the agency and most recently held a comparable post in Montana (see below for more details).



Announcement of Key Assignments from J. Richard Capka
Date: Friday, October 20, 2006
Texas Division Administrator

Ms. Janice W. Brown has been selected for advancement into the position of Program Manager (Division Administrator), Austin, Texas. Jan currently serves as the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Montana Division Administrator, a position she has held since 1996. Jan has led major Agency initiatives at the national, regional and State levels. Of particular note, she served for 3 years as Chair of the National Human Resource Management Committee. She has also held other key positions in the field. She served for 2 years as Assistant Division Administrator in the Nevada Division and 4 years as District Engineer in the Washington Division. Jan began her career with FHWA in 1976 as a Highway Engineer Trainee.

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October 6, 2006

With Fall Elections Four Weeks Away, Make Sure You Are Registered

If you or someone you know has yet to register, the deadline to be eligible to cast a ballot November 7 is Tuesday (October 10). A form can be obtained by visiting www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/reqvr.shtml. Forms can also be obtained at post offices (closed Monday October 9), libraries and Texas DPS' offices. Early voting begins October 23.

More info will be forthcoming in next week's bulletin, but voters in U.S. Congressional Districts 21 (Lamar Smith), 22 (vacated by Tom DeLay June 9), 23 (Henry Bonilla), 25 (Lloyd Doggett), 15 (Ruben Hinojosa) and 28 (Henry Cuellar) will have a special election November 7. In District 22 (Houston area), voters will select a new member of Congress to replace former Majority Leader DeLay who resigned in June after 22 years in Congress. They will also vote on a short term member of Congress who will serve from the time he/she is certified until the 110th Congress is sworn in January.

The other five districts were also changed in August by a three member federal panel which reacted to a U.S. Supreme Court which declared a portion of the newly drawn Congressional districts unconstitutional. The only district which was altered in a manner which may jeopardize an incumbent was the 23rd District which has given Republican Henry Bonilla many west side San Antonians who historically have been in the Democratic camp.

But remember, if you don't vote it hurts the griping rights, and you can't vote if you don't register. So sign up.

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July 24, 2006

Common Misconceptions about TTC 35

Download document here.

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June 29, 2006