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Initial Draft for TTC-35 Unveiled

DFW Airport--Chairman Ric Williamson and Commissioner John Johnson hosted a press conference here today to announce that a draft Environmental impact statement has been completed and that scores of Public hearings will start this summer on the 10 mile wide corridor for the Trans Texas Corridor 35. Chairman Williamson, who was accompanied by Executive director Mike Behrens and FHWA official Robert Callen, guessed that if all phases of the studies and hearing went well, construction would start in probably "10 years." Commissioner Johnson, in response to a inquiry from the press, estimated that a range of the tolls charged on the Future project, might be "from 12 to 24 cents a mile."-- Chairman Williamson also responded to a questioner that the "map" was designed to meet the project's purpose and need and that more studies would be required before a final route is set.

The more than 4,000 page study started in February 2004. Below, please find the TxDOT news release regarding the study.

TTC-35 Draft Environmental Impact Statement News Release

TTC-35 Draft Report Refines Study Area and Identifies Project Need

DALLAS - A multi-use transportation alternative to the heavily congested Interstate 35 corridor could lie slightly to the east while incorporating the interstate's southern half, according to a 4,000-page draft environmental impact statement for the Trans-Texas Corridor-35 that was released today.

The report's findings show a narrowed study area from Gainesville to Laredo to be generally 10 miles wide and within close proximity to I-35 and metropolitan centers, except where it is centered on I-35 south of San Antonio to Laredo.

“The Trans-Texas Corridor will provide unprecedented trade opportunities, a faster transportation system that moves freight and hazardous materials out of city centers, and thousands of new jobs,” Gov. Rick Perry said. “Today we take an important step toward realizing this goal.”

The report's findings are not final and will be subject to more than 50 public hearings along the I-35 corridor this summer.

The narrowed study area was identified as the preferred corridor alternative because it best supports the purpose and need for TTC-35 and incorporates the most miles of existing highways and rail - 195 and 214 miles respectively.

These findings are part of the TTC-35 draft environmental impact statement prepared by the Texas Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration.

The draft report also examined population and traffic demand within the I-35 corridor and concluded that increased freight traffic and growing congestion compound the need for additional transportation alternatives within the I-35 corridor.

“After more than two years of analysis, the question regarding the need for TTC-35 is now well documented,” said Michael Behrens, TxDOT executive director, referring to a section of the draft report on why the project should be built. “We have to stay focused on the ultimate goal - making a positive impact to the I-35 corridor and improving statewide mobility for the next 30-50 years.”

“Texas has a transportation problem and we have a plan to solve the problem,” said Ric Williamson, chairman of the Texas Transportation Commission. “Our strategic plan contains long-term, mid-term, and short-term tactics. Building TTC-35 is one of our long-term tactical decisions to reduce congestion, enhance safety, expand economic opportunity, improve air quality, and preserve the value of IH-35.”

Already, approximately 45 percent of the 21 million Texans live within 50 miles of I-35. With this significant portion of the population centered around I-35, the corridor is no longer an efficient option for intercity and freight travel but rather has become a commuter route, particularly in the urban areas.

Even with planned improvements to I-35, traffic demand will reach or exceed capacity by 2025. In addition, the draft report documents previous studies that indicated I-35 would need to be expanded to 16 lanes in metro areas and 12 lanes through Central Texas to meet the corridor's future traffic demands.

“Our next mission is to make absolutely certain that our regional leaders understand the full value of the Trans-Texas Corridor. I know my hometown of San Antonio is excited to learn more about the opportunities of linking its city center to this powerful new system,” said Hope Andrade, a member of the Texas Transportation Commission.

Transportation models also indicate commercial truck traffic in Texas will grow dramatically. By 2025, freight traffic will grow 132 percent, which translates into an average of 260,465 commercial trucks each day on Texas roads. Already, 20-38 percent of current traffic on I-35 is from commercial trucks and a significant portion is due to international trade.

In addition to determining the need for TTC-35, other factors were also analyzed to identify the narrowed study area. These included land use, engineering and design, traffic flow and potential impacts on environmental factors, such as wetlands, farmland soils, cultural resources and socio-economic issues. Public input from 117 public meetings was also considered.

“Looking at both the study area revealed today and last week's rail proposal, it's clear that Texas will be the trade corridor for this hemisphere,” said Commissioner Ted Houghton, referring to last week's announcement that the state had received a proposal to build a new 600-mile grade-separated freight-rail line from Dallas/Fort Worth to Mexico.

The next step in the tiered environmental process is to continue gathering public comments. Numerous hearings are planned this summer throughout the study area. Final approval by the Federal Highway Administration on a narrowed study area could happen by next summer, however it would not authorize construction.

If federally approved, the environmental process would continue with Tier Two focusing on the narrowed 10-mile wide study area. It is within this study area that a final project route would be determined for roads, rail and utilities. If approved, the Tier Two studies would authorize construction.

“Today's announcement validates the strength of this concept. Our next big opportunity is rapidly taking shape, and that's Trans-Texas Corridor 69,” Commissioner John W. Johnson said. In December 2005, Governor Perry instructed TxDOT to partner with the private sector to develop an interstate-quality highway corridor with additional rail freight capacity that connects the Lower Rio Grande River Valley to I-37 and continues along the south and east portions of Texas from Corpus Christi through Houston all the way to northeast Texas.

The complete draft environmental impact statement for TTC-35 , including a map of the narrowed study area, is available on www.keeptexasmoving.org.

For more information, contact Gabriela Garcia, (512) 475-2134

March 8, 2006

Weak Turnout Marks Primaries and Helps Spell Doom for Six Legislative Incumbents

SAN ANTONIO SENATOR MADLA AND HOUSE EDUCATION CHIEF GRUSENDORF LOSE…

What if they gave a primary and nobody came? It wasn't quite that bad March 7 but the combined turnout In the GOP (715,000) and the Demo (533,000) primaries was even lower than the 13 percent turnout forecast by Texas Secretary of State (and chief election officer) Roger Williams.

Now that the prelims are over (save for a handful of April 11 runoffs), the independent candidates for governor can bring out their sharpened No. 2 pencils and Indian Chief tablets and begin collecting the required number of signatures to qualify for the November ballot. The “magic” number is 45,540, which equals one percent of the turnout in the governor's race in November 2002. Leading independent candidates, Carole Strayhorn, State Comptroller, and writer and troubadour Richard "Kinky" Friedman will have 60 days (until May 11) to collect the names of those registered voters who did not participate in either the Democratic or Republican primaries. One is eligible to sign one petition only. Secretary Williams has stated that it might take up to two months to certify the petitions. Comptroller Strayhorn, never known to be short on hyperbole, was quoted as saying that a deliberate slowdown of the petition count "would result in rioting in the streets." Strayhorn was elected Comptroller in 1998 on the GOP ticket and had previously served as a member of the Railroad Commission. She had switched from the Democratic Party in 1986 to run for U.S. Congress. She lost.

Friedman and Strayhorn will match up against incumbent Governor Rick Perry who dispatched several no-name rivals in the GOP primary with 84 percent and former U.S. Rep. Chris Bell of Houston who captured the Democratic flag for Governor by beating another former Houston area Congressman Bob Gammage in a 64-29 percent landslide.

On the Republican side, two appointees of Governor Perry, Railroad Commissioner Elizabeth Ames Jones of San Antonio and Supreme Court Justice Don Willett overcame primary challengers.

Senator Frank Madla was bested by a hard charging former Marine, Carlos Uresti, who represents a southside district in the Texas House of Representatives. Madla was elected to the Senate in 1993 after serving in the Texas House since 1973. Fellow incumbent, Republican Bob Deuell, easily brushed aside a primary challenger in Northeast Texas.

Former Houston television and radio broadcaster Dan Patrick bested three elected officials to capture Senate District 7, vacated by Jon Lindsay. Patrick won with 68 percent and State Representative Peggy Hamric trailed distantly with 16 percent. State Representative Joe Nixon and former city councilman Mark Ellis brought up the rear.

State Representative Glenn Hegar of Katy won 55 percent to seize the GOP primary for Senate District 18 being vacated by conservative Democrat Ken Armbrister. Hegar beat Gary Gates, with 35 percent, and former city manger, David Stall, who has campaigned full time against the Trans Texas Corridor, had 9.4 percent.

For the second time in the last eight years, a member of the Transportation Commission has made a successful transition to the state Senate. In 1998, it was David Bernsen of Beaumont and Tuesday it was Republican Robert Nichols of Jacksonville. Mr. Nichols was appointed to the Commission in 1997 and resigned last summer to make the race for the District 3 slot being vacated by Todd Staples, elected as the GOP nominee for Ag Commissioner Tuesday. Nichols won with 54 percent and Dave Kleimann of Montgomery trailed with 17 percent. Two others also competed.

Several House incumbents were ousted by razor thin margins: Carter Casteel, R-New Braunfels, lost by 45 votes; Elvira Reyna, R-Mesquite, was short by 64 votes and Dallas Democrat Jesse Jones was ousted by 68 votes.

House Education Chairman Kent Grusendorf of Arlington lost by 43-57 percent in his primary reelection effort. Second termer Roy Blake lost by about twelve points to former House member Wayne Christian of Center.

Two House Democratic incumbents got to the edge of a victory but came just a bit short and will be favored to win the April 11 runoff: Al Edwards of Houston and Richard Raymond of Laredo. GOP incumbent Scott Campbell of San Angelo trailed challenger Drew Darby and may face an uphill climb to hold to his spot in the House.

MAYOR DAVE WILL NOT SEEK RELECTION

Pittsburg, Texas Mayor Dave Abernathy, who has held that post 52 years, will not seek reelection this spring. A long time TGR member and Road Hand, Dave will be celebrating number 94 this July. Mayor Dave said last year he went fishing “only” 92 times, but after he steps down in May, he will get back to his normal yearly 150 trips or so. Thanks for your great service to Texas, Mayor Dave!

November 22, 2005

TTARA Altert:
Texas Supreme Court Decision Re: School Finance

The Texas Supreme Court has released its decision in the West Orange Cove school finance lawsuit. The Court ruled that the system is unconstitutional because it constitutes a state property tax, but is not inadequate or inefficient. The decision can be found on our website or by clicking here <http://www.ttara.org/members/Committees/Schools/schools_index.htm>. The Supreme Court set a deadline of June 1, 2006 for the system to be changed. Pertinent language from the opinion is set out below.

Key rulings from the Supreme Court decision:

Adequacy

Having carefully reviewed the evidence and the district court's findings, we cannot conclude that the Legislature has acted arbitrarily in structuring and funding the public education system so that school districts are not reasonably able to afford all students the access to education and the educational opportunity to accomplish a general diffusion of knowledge.

There is substantial evidence, which again the district court credited, that the public education system has reached the point where continued improvement will not be possible absent significant change, whether that change take the form of increased funding, improved efficiencies, or better methods of education.

But an impending constitutional violation is not an existing one, and it remains to be seen whether the system's predicted drift toward constitutional inadequacy will be avoided by legislative reaction to widespread calls for changes.

Efficiency

Accordingly, we conclude that the public school finance system is not inefficient in violation of article VII, section 1.

The Legislature may well find many ways of improving the efficiency and adequacy of public education, ways not urged by the parties to this case, that do not involve increased funding.

Sufficiency

Neither the structure nor the operation of the funding system prevents it from efficiently accomplishing a general diffusion of knowledge. The State may discharge its duty to make suitable provision for free public schools through school districts by relying on local tax revenues, even as heavily as it now does. Such reliance, especially given the multitude and diversity of school districts, inevitably makes it difficult to achieve efficiency because of the vast disparities in local property wealth, but efficiency is not impossible. We have suggested that these difficulties might be avoided by fundamental changes in the structure of the system, but the possibility of improvement does not render the present system unsuitable for adequately and efficiently providing a public education.

Accordingly, we conclude that the system does not violate the constitutional requirement of suitability.

State Property Tax

The final constitutional question is whether the State's control of local taxation for education amounts to a state property tax in violation of article VIII, section 1-e. We agree with the district court that it does.

Meaningful discretion cannot be quantified; it is an admittedly imprecise standard. But we think its application in this case is not a close question.

Accordingly, we conclude that the public school finance system violates article VIII, section 1-e of the Texas Constitution. Various legislative proposals during the past year to remedy perceived problems with the public education system and its funding would reduce the maximum ad valorem tax rate and allow it to be exceeded for certain purposes. While we express no view on the appropriateness of any of these proposals, we are constrained to caution, as we have before, that a cap to which districts are inexorably forced by educational requirements and economic necessities, as they have been under Senate Bill 7, will in short order violate the prohibition of a state property tax.

Local ad valorem taxes, which we have determined to be a prohibited state property tax, provide more than half the revenue for the public school system. The constitutional violation cannot be corrected without raising the cap on local tax rates or changing the system.

Deadline for Corrective Action

As we have said since Edgewood I, structural changes, and not merely increased funding, are needed in the public education system to meet the constitutional challenges that have been raised.

The judgment of the district court is reversed insofar as it declares a violation of article VII, section 1, and awards attorney fees and costs, and the issue of attorney fees and costs is remanded to the trial court.

The effective date of the injunction is modified to June 1, 2006.

In all other respects, the judgment is affirmed in accordance with this opinion.

November 11, 2005

Same Sex Marriage Drives Higher Than Expected Turnout
By: Lawrence Olsen

When Texans voted Tuesday on nine proposed amendments to the state constitution, it was the biggest off-year turnout since the 1991 vote to legalize the lottery. That same year also marked a donnybrook in the Houston Mayor's race which challengers Bob Lanier and Sylvester Turner ousted incumbent Kathy Whitmire; Lanier won the runoff against State Rep. Turner.

But the driving force this year was Prop. 2 to enshrine in the state constitution the prohibition against same sex marriage. It carried 76 percent of the vote and all counties, except Travis (Austin) which defeated it 60/40.

Prop. 1 to establish a Rail Relocation authority won by a 54-46 margin (see below, a statement by Texas Transportation Commission Chairman Ric Willamson), but a technical amendment to extend the terms of local mobility authorities appointees lost, 53-47. Anti tolling forces claim a great victory in defeating No. 9 on the ballot. Truth be told, the loss may well be attributed to ballot "fatigue." After 2.4 million Texans voted on Prop. 2, at the end of the ballot, Nos. 8&9, voters had dwindled by 300,000.

In the race to replace the late State Representative Joe Moreno in Houston, Ana Hernandez held a strong lead over Laura Salinas. A runoff will decide the new rep. Next month.

In other legislative news, Rep. Ray Allen of Grand Prairie has announced he will not seek reelection. Allen served as chairman of the County Affairs Committee this session and previously chaired the Corrections Committee.

Departures of Two Great West Texans

Federal Highway Administration official Dan Reagan has announced his intention to step down at the beginning of the new year. A native of Monahans in West Texas, Reagan has spent 38 years with FHWA and has served as the Division Administrator in the Austin office for a decade. Dan was a strong supporter of the efforts of the Texas Department of Transportation to push the highway program forward. The UT grad served a long stint In the Albany, New York office before his "homecoming" to Texas. We wish Dan the best and congratulations for a great career. Click here to download Dan Reagan's letter announcing his retirement at the end of the year.

A fond farewell to one of the most outstanding of the Texas Road Hands, Joe Pickle, who died this week at age 94. Joe was a stalwart of the Highway program while serving as the editor of the Big Spring Herald for more than four decades. He also served the Colorado River Municipal Water District for more than 46 years and wrote a book about its formation and early years. In his new home in the sky, Joe will be looking after his "kid" brother, Jake Pickle, another Road Hand, who preceded him in death last June. Joe thanks for your great service to Texas.

November 9, 2005

TxDOT News Release
Statement Regarding Passage of Texas Rail Relocation and Improvement Fund

AUSTIN - Texas Transportation Commission Chairman Ric Williamson has issued the following statements about yesterday's passage of the Texas Rail Relocation and Improvement Fund (Proposition 1). This constitutional amendment authorizes the state to make grants and issue bonds to relocate rail lines out of cities and neighborhoods, expand passenger and freight rail, and build railroad underpasses and overpasses to reduce accidents and delays.

--“Texas voters have spoken: They want to increase safety, reduce truck traffic on highways, improve air quality and spur the Texas economy. Passage of this constitutional amendment is a major step toward reaching those goals.

--“We look forward to forging private-public partnerships to make transportation in this state the best there is. And that means more choice for travelers, alternatives for trucks and hazardous cargo and options for funding our systems.

--“With the help of the legislature, we intend to build projects to reduce rail accidents, take hazardous cargo and materials out of urban areas, cut back on the number of 18-wheeler trucks traveling on highways, reduce traffic delays caused by trains, ease congestion, and make our air cleaner.”

For more information, contact Randall Dillard, TxDOT Public Information Office (512) 463-8588

November 7, 2005

Texas Political Focus on State Constitution
By: Lawrence Olsen

When Texans wrote the state constitution in 1876, there was a bitter taste of the post Civil War Reconstruction era fresh in the mouths of the scriveners. Because of the resentment of control by Scalawags and others whose residence prior to the Great Unpleasantness, also known as the Civil War, was north of the Lone Star State, the fathers of the state constitution was very restrictive in what it would permit the state government and its subdivisions to do. In this, it is not greatly different from the other 10 states that comprised the Confederate States of America.

Since its adoption in 1876, there have been 606 amendments submitted to voters and 432 have been approved. Prior to making it to a public referendum, proposed constitutional amendment must been okayed by 21 senators and 100 members of the Texas House. The 79th Texas legislature has sanctioned nine more amendments for the voters yea or nay and Texans will make that call tomorrow November 8. Texans have adopted the last 22 amendments offered to them over three elections.

Most of these amendments are drawing scant attention from the public, save Proposition 2. Proposition 2 will place in the state constitution a prohibition against same sex marriage, which is currently in state statute. Numerous other states have added similar provisions to their basic legal document within the last couple of years. Gov. Rick Perry's appointee as Secretary of State Roger Williams has predicted that the turnout for tomorrow's election will be about 16 percent of the state's registered voters. Expected to lead the state in voting will be the state's most populous county (Harris) which will see the City of Houston conduct its biennial municipal elections. Current Mayor Bill White faces only token opposition but there are several open city council races. Other cities, such as Dallas, San Antonio and Austin will have bond proposals and other local referendums on the ballot but there is little doubt that the impetus for turnout will be forces allied on either side of the Proposition 2 question. Few objective observers doubt it will pass, the only question being by how much.

Numerous transportation related groups are supportive of PROPOSITION 1, which would allow the legislature to establish a fund for relocation of rail facilities. This was a proposal supported by the Texas Transportation Commission during the last session of the legislature and was co-sponsored by Reps. Mike Krusee of Round Rock and Ruth Jones McClendon of San Antonio; Todd Staples was the senate sponsor. The monies allocated for this fund could not come from funds that are now dedicated (the highway fund). Proponents state there is a clear need for this authorization because of the dangerous congestion of inner-rail crossings. It would also enhance the ability to ship freight by rail and decrease 18-wheeler traffic.

The opposition to the amendment is being led by anti-highway and anti-tolling self appointed groups who see this amendment as a part of a “Trans-Texas Corridor conspiracy.”

PROPOSITION 2 would place in the state constitution a prohibition of same sex marriage and would also prohibit any political subdivision of the state from creating or recognizing any legal status identical or similar to marriage.

PROPOSITION 3 clarifies that certain economic development programs do not constitute a debt. This is to clarify a Travis County district court decision that said that the village of Bee Cave rebate of certain taxes to a developer for a period exceeding one year, created an unconstitutional debt.

PROPOSITION 4 authorizes denial of bail to criminal defendant who violates a condition of the defendant's release pending trial. This would allow a district judge to add to the list of those who could be denied bail pending a trial a person accused of a violent or sexual offense on parole or probation for a prior felony.

PROPOSITION 5 would allow the legislature to define interest rates for commercial loans. This would permit the legislature to exempt commercial loans between businesses and not for personal, family or household purposes.

PROPOSITION 6 would add to the State Commission on Judicial Conduct two members, one from the public and one county court judge. This agency was created in 1965 to investigate judicial misconduct and now has 13 members; this would add two.

PROPOSITION 7 authorizes line of credit advances under a reverse mortgage. Reverse mortgages, authorized by voters in 1997, are restricted to borrowers 62 or older, to convert home equity into money used for current expenses. This expands this provision to a line of credit that could be utilized by the homeowner.

PROPOSITION 8 allows clearing of land titles by releasing state claims for certain land in Upshur and Smith counties. This will be the fifth vote since 1981 (all others were approved) to remedy title defects for certain landowners and resolve any claims over these tracts.

PROPOSITION 9 allows the legislature to appoint members of Regional Mobility Authorities (RMAs) for six years. This clarifies the intent of the law passed in 2003 that established six-year terms for RMA members that conflicted with the constitutional limit of two years terms for members of local boards. Again, the anti tolling element is opposing this amendment and advocates election of the RMA members.

October 27, 2005

TxDOT News Release
State Adopts Transportation Plan

AUSTIN - The Texas Transportation Commission approved today the 2006 Statewide Mobility Program, a major aspect of TxDOT's blueprint for statewide transportation projects.

The commission adopted the plan at its monthly meeting, held this month in Corpus Christi.

The plan allocates nearly $12.4 billion for mobility improvements (highway, rail, public transportation and aviation) across Texas during the next four years (2006-2009). The vast majority of projects in the program were selected at the local level, either directly by local officials or local officials working with TxDOT district offices.

In other action, the commission approved the Texas Rail System Plan, TxDOT's first ever statewide rail plan. The plan is the result of legislation broadening the department's rail responsibilities. It highlights the importance of rail in reducing highway traffic congestion and in attracting new businesses to the state. The document identifies current and proposed rail projects, determines infrastructure and capacity needs, and the processes to address those needs.

“This is a new opportunity for TxDOT,” said Mike Behrens, TxDOT executive director. “But it's another milestone in our efforts to reduce congestion, improve safety and air quality, encourage economic development, and increase the value of the state's transportation system.”

Among several agenda items concerning the Alamo Regional Mobility Authority, the commission authorized TxDOT to negotiate an agreement with the RMA authorizing them to develop three potential toll projects in San Antonio. These projects include expansion or new construction of I-35 from the Bexar/Guadalupe County line to I-37, SH 16 from I-410 to Loop 1604 and the U.S. 281/Wurzbach Parkway interchange. In related commission action, preliminary approval also was granted for a $7.5 million loan to the RMA to develop its starter toll system.

TxDOT also was authorized by the commission to execute a pass-through finance agreement with Williamson County for improvements to various highway projects in the county. This is the fourth pass-through toll agreement approved by the commission.

Motorists will see more truck lane restrictions with the commission's approval of restricted lanes on I-20 in Dallas County, I-30 in Tarrant County, and I-10 and U.S. 290 in Harris County. Crashes were reduced by nearly two-thirds after trucks were restricted to certain lanes on an 8-mile stretch of I-10 in Houston in 2000. With this action, approximately 197 miles of truck lane restrictions have been approved in Texas.

For more information, contact Mark Cross, TxDOT Public Information Office, (512) 463-8585.

September 26, 2005

TxDOT News Release
Hurricane Rita Traffic Briefing

Trinity River Bridge
The Trinity River Bridge on U.S. 59, between Houston and Lufkin, is now open to traffic. The bridge, which had been closed over the weekend as a precaution while water was released from Lake Livingston, was reopened at midnight. Motorists can now take U.S. 59 all the way to Houston and are no longer detoured to I-45.

Returning to Houston; fuel supply limited - Today is Day 2 of the staggered 3-day return home plan. Traffic, reported steady on major highways leading to Houston on Sunday, may slow at the most congested locations. While supplies are being replenished, availability of fuel is limited in some areas.

Day 2 (Monday Sept. 26) - The return-home area is from south of I-10, including Harris and Galveston counties. The expansion for Day 2 also includes residents of Pasadena, Baytown, League City, Texas City, Galveston Island, and the Bolivar Peninsula. Residents in Richmond, Stafford, Rosenberg, Sugarland, Pearland and surrounding communities, including all Houston residents who reside inside of I-610 also are part of the return-home plan for Monday.

Day 3 (Sept. 27) - Residents in all remaining areas east of I-45 and north of I-10 extending to Liberty and Chambers counties.

Delays expected; motorists encouraged to drive safely - Travel is still discouraged in the southeast corner of Texas. TxDOT crews today will continue clean-up in the area bounded by U.S. 59 and State Highway 103. Also, TxDOT is working to check and repair traffic signals in the area. I-10 east of Houston is open but exits into Beaumont and portions of southeast Texas are closed.

For more information, call the TxDOT Public Information Office, (512) 468-8588.

September 22, 2005

Hurricane Rita I-45 North Reversal
Emergency Special Statement No. 2, 8 a.m.

The Texas Department of Transportation has been asked to contra-flow Interstate 45 North from Houston to Buffalo, about midway between Dallas and Houston.

This will be the largest reversal of traffic in Texas history, done to facilitate evacuations from the Houston area.

TxDOT emergency management coordinator Scott Alley said the State Operations Center requested the one-way flow from Houston shortly before 7 a.m. today.

The department intends to have the necessary signage in place to begin this unprecedented process about 9 a.m. today.

"The SOC says no one should be coming to Houston," Alley said. "Emergency traffic, such as law enforcement personnel and rescue workers, take U.S. 290 east into Houston."

TxDOT will have more information on this operation shortly, but it is urgent that the motoring public be notified of this situation immediately.

For people traveling south on I-45, please be prepared to exit the interstate prior to Buffalo, Texas.

Possible alternative routes:

AT CORSICANA: Exit I-45-S to SH 31
East to Athens: approximately 30 miles
West to Waco: approximately 45 miles

AT FAIRFIELD: Exit I-45-S to US 84:
East to Palestine: approximately 38 miles (hits US 79)
West to Waco: approximately 65 miles

AT BUFFALO: Exit I-45-S to US 79
South to Austin - approximately 135 miles
North to Palestine - approximately 36 miles

AT BUFFALO: Exit I-45-S to FM 164 at Buffalo
West to Waco - approximately 70 miles

For more information, call Mike Cox, TxDOT Public Information Office, (512) 936-4241.

August 30, 2005

TxDOT News Release
Hurricane Katrina road-condition hotlines

AUSTIN - TxDOT has been receiving a high number of telephone calls from Hurricane Katrina refugees and from Texans with friends and relatives in Louisiana and Mississippi. Most are asking about road conditions. "Right now, the best thing for anyone in Texas who fled Louisiana or Mississippi to do is to stay put," said Scott Alley, TxDOT's emergency management coordinator. "Our hearts go out to these people, but right now, it would only make things worse for them to try to go home." As the flooding in New Orleans worsened today, the Texas Department of Transportation offered assistance to the Louisiana Department of Transportation. But Alley said Louisiana officials are still assessing damage to the state's transportation infrastructure and have made no specific requests. Throughout the crisis, TxDOT's two eastern-most travel information centers, on Interstate 10 at Orange and on Interstate 20 at Waskom, have assisted thousands of refugees with travel directions and in locating motel rooms. "All we can say is that I-10 and I-20 are clear to Louisiana, but I-10 is closed beyond Baton Rouge," said Alley. "If someone has to get back into Louisiana, even though they can't get into the New Orleans area, the best choice is to take I-20. But we don't advise that." TxDOT in the Beaumont District is using its electronic signs to warn motorists that I-10 is closed at Baton Rouge, about 160 miles east of the Texas state line. Alley stressed that Baton Rouge is not a sensible destination at this point. "No motel rooms are available, and there is only limited shelter," he said.

For those wishing more specific information on conditions in Louisiana, that state's transportation agency is responding to calls at 1-866-469-4828. The road condition number for Alabama is 1-888-588-2848. Mississippi's DOT does not have an 800-number. Each of the state DOTs have Web sites. A helpful Web site for information on conditions in Louisiana is through the Louisiana State Police: www.lsp.org/roadandincident.nsf

For more information, contact Mike Cox, TxDOT Public Information Office at (512) 936-4241.

June 30, 2005

NICHOLS RESIGNATION MARKS END OF ERA

Prior to the convening of the Texas Transportation Commission, Robert L. Nichols tendered his letter of resignation to Governor Rick Perry, effective June 30. Click here to download the letter.

The former mayor of Jacksonville was named to the Commission by Governor George W. Bush in May, 1997. He was reappointed by Governor Perry in June, 2003. He is one of only four commissioners to be named to the prestigious post by more than one governor. Only Herb Petry of Carrizo Springs and Dewitt C. Greer exceeded his eight plus years on the commission.

In his closing remarks, Nichols expressed regrets that he had missed visiting a few of the Departments field offices during his tenure, only having been to about 156 of them.

Mr. Nichols stated that he intended to seek the Republican nomination for State Senate District 3, now held by Todd Staples of Palestine. Republican Staples has said he intended to seek his party's nomination for the post of Agriculture Commissioner. Incumbent Ag Commissioner Susan Combs has indicated she will run for the Office of Comptroller of Public Accounts being vacated by incumbent Carole Strayhorn. Strayhorn announced June 18 that she would oppose Governor Perry's in the primary of March 2006.

In a letter read to the Commission by aide Kris Heckmann, Governor Perry said that Nichols "embraced the job of commissioner like few before you."

Commission Chairman Ric Williamson and his colleagues highly praised their departing colleague. Former legislator Williamson complimented Nichols saying that legislators thought most favorably of "workhorses over showhorse and you have certainly been the workhorse of this Commission throughout your service."

June 17, 2005

TEXAS MONTHLY MAGAZINE ISSUES ITS LIST OF BEST & WORST LEGISLATORS

As it has since its first year of publication in 1973, Texas Monthly magazine has issued its list of its take on the Best and Worst in the 79th session of the Texas Legislature. It will be in the July issue of the magazine, soon in the mail and on newsstands.

The 10 best---Representatives Diane Delisi of Temple; Dan Gattis of Georgetown; Charlie Geren of Fort Worth; Fred Hill of Dallas; Jim Pitts of Waxahachie and Mike Villarreal of San Antonio. Senators Steve Ogden of Bryan, John Whitmire of Houston, Bob Duncan of Lubbock and Judith Zaffirini of Laredo.

The 10 worst-- Representatives Dwayne Bohac of Houston, Mary Denny of Denton, Al Edwards of Houston, Kent Grusendorf of Arlington, Terry Keel of Austin, Phil King of Weatherford and Robert Talton of Pasadena. Senators Gonzalo Barrientos of Austin, Mario Gallegos of Houston and Chris Harris of Arlington.

Ten more members received Honorable Mention recognition. Among those were Senators Todd Staples and Kim Brimer and Representative Carter Casteel.

Texas Department of Transportation News
June 8, 2005

TEXAS MOBILLITY FUND BONDS SOLD
Officials deposit $1 billion in proceeds to speed transportation projects

AUSTIN - Congestion relief in Texas got a huge injection of funds today with the transfer of $1 billion in bond proceeds into the Texas Mobility Fund.

The proceeds come from the sale last week of bonds backed by the Texas Mobility Fund. Established by the 77th Legislature and approved by Texas voters, the fund allows the Texas Transportation Commission to issue bonds to finance transportation projects in the state.

“This new money will allow the state to build major metropolitan highway projects in half the time it would have previously taken,” said Gov. Rick Perry. “Innovative solutions like the Texas Mobility Fund enable the state to solve our transportation needs faster and more efficiently than ever before.”

The $1 billion will be used to pay for such activities as engineering and right-of-way acquisition and to fund much-needed expansion of the state's transportation system. Through the use of bonds, these needed improvements will be delivered to Texans years ahead of the pay-as-you-go method.

TxDOT Executive Director Mike Behrens said that the bond funds will allow TxDOT to accelerate transportation projects by helping to double the financial resources for reducing congestion over the next ten years. “We are working fast to get Texans out of traffic congestion,” he said. “We are moving forward on transportation in this state.”

After receiving public comment, in September 2004 the commission adopted a Strategic Plan for the Texas Mobility Fund that directed money toward projects involving:

* A multimodal approach
* Local control
* Leveraged funding to accelerate projects and maximize financial resources
* Priority status to previously requested, locally-supported projects
* A success metric focused on speed and efficiency in reducing congestion

The Texas Bond Review Board approved in May the department's request to issue bonds backed by the revenue of the Texas Mobility Fund. The board approved the issuance of $4 billion in bonds over the next few years, allowing TxDOT and its local partners to plan projects knowing that the necessary funds will be available when needed.

The Texas legislature established the Texas Mobility Fund in 2001. Voters approved the concept that same year. In 2003, legislators authorized money for the fund.

The Mobility Fund can help to speed up locally-supported and already-planned projects that reduce congestion, improve safety, expand economic opportunity, and enhance connections among various parts of the state. To receive Mobility Fund monies local areas were asked to submit plans that leveraged their allocation of the Mobility Funds with tolls, user fees, private funds and other revenue sources to stretch limited transportation dollars.

The commission plans to issue another $3 billion in mobility fund bonds over the next three years to pay for additional transportation projects.

For more information, contact Judy Curtis, TxDOT Public Information Office, (512) 463-5859.

May 27, 2005

GOOD ROADS UPDATE

GENERAL TOMMY FRANKS TO SPEAK AT GOOD ROADS ANNUAL MEETING

War hero General Tommy Franks will speak at the final luncheon of the annual meeting July 7 at the Four Seasons Hotel. Franks, who graduated from Midland Lee (same high school as Laura W. Bush), served as Commander in Chief of the U.S. Central Command. General Franks led the attack on the Taliban in Afghanistan in response to the assault on the World Trade Center and spearheaded the invasion of Iraq in March 2003. He retired in July 2003 after 36 years service. President George W. Bush awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom December 14, 2004. His best selling story, American Soldier, will be a complimentary gift to those attending the luncheon. Because of the expected demand for space at the luncheon, act soon to sign up for the meeting. Information about the meeting can be found here.

TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION MEMBERS CONFIRMED

Transportation Commission members Robert Lee Nichols, Hope Andrade and Ted Houghton were unanimously confirmed by the Texas State Senate May 26.

Mr. Nichols was reappointed to a second term on the Commission by Governor Rick Perry in June 2003. He initially was named to the prestigious post by Governor George W. Bush in 1997. Nichols is from Jacksonville where he served as former Mayor and is a retired businessman.

Mrs. Andrade of San Antonio was named to the Commission by Governor Perry in December 2003. Commissioner Houghton of El Paso claims that Commissioner Andrade has seniority over him on the five-member board because her appointment was made three hours before his. Both Mrs. Andrade and Mr. Houghton have long and impressive careers and public service (more biographical info will appear about the newest commission members in a subsequent publication). Several of the members of the commission plan to be at the TGR annual meeting and will be honored at a function. In addition, executive director Mike Behrens plan to lead a contingent of TxDOT personnel, including the district engineers, to participate in our 73rd annual meeting.

TEXAS LEGE WINDS DOWN

As the 79th edition of the Texas Legislature moves toward its midnight May 30 deadline, most of the major issues remain in limbo.
That includes the only issue that will compel the Governor to call the members back---Appropriations. Being optimistic, this observer believes the "money" bill will be worked out.

On the transportation side, conferees are gathering as this is written to deliberate over House Bill 2702, the omnibus rewrite of last session's major highway legislation. This bill includes nearly everything under the sun but the major focus is on the question of when a tax road (referred to frequently, but incorrectly as a "free" road) may be converted to a toll road and the response to the less than positive reaction by some (notably the Texas Farm Bureau and the Republican Party of Texas) to the Trans Texas Corridor. Leading the conference are the respective committee chairman of each side, Todd Staples for the Senate and Mike Krusee for the House. Other conferees are: for the Senate, Kevin Eltife of Tyler, Rodney Ellis of Houston, Eliot Shapleigh of El Paso and Troy Fraser of Marble Falls. Joining Mr. Krusee on the House side are Larry Phillips of Sherman, Fred Hill of Dallas, Glen Hegar of Katy and Robby Cook of Eagle Lake.

WILL SEVEN BE THE LUCKY NUMBER?

Resembling an old Laurel and Hardy comedy, the U.S. Congress has passed the seventh extension of funding which allows the federal highway program to go forward. This one will extend the money flow through June 30. Action comes on the heels of the Senate passing its version of the multi-year bill earlier this month. The Senate bill comes in at about $11 billion beyond the House's $284 billion figure. Administration officials have issued veto threats on any spending beyond the House figure. Among the 63 House conferees are Majority Leader Tom DeLay and Transportation Committee member Eddie Bernice Johnson. Two other Texans, Joe Barton and Lamar Smith, also are conferees because the bill touching some issues beyond the strict jurisdiction of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The Senate is expected to name its conferees soon.

Media Advisory: May 5, 2005

Below is a statement from Ric Williamson, chairman of the Texas Transportation Commission, regarding action today by the Texas Bond Review Board authorizing the Texas Department of Transportation to issue up to $4 billion in Texas Mobility Fund bonds and other obligations.

"Today's action by the Bond Review Board now gives TxDOT * and Texans * the means to ramp up projects intended to ease congestion and increase mobility faster than ever. That was the vision of Gov. Perry, and that is the will of the legislature and voters who approved the Texas Mobility Fund. By authorizing a full $4 billion, a strong message is being sent to communities across the state that we are serious about putting transportation dollars to work to relieve congestion and improve safety. Today's action will help us double in the next ten years what we spent on mobility during the last ten years. We are truly moving forward on transportation in this state."

Background:

* In 2001, the Texas legislature established the Texas Mobility Fund, which was approved by voters in November of that year

* In 2003, legislators authorized money for the fund

* On Sept. 30, 2004, following a lengthy public participation process, the Texas Transportation Commission approved the Texas Mobility Fund Strategic Plan, which emphasized local control, the need to leverage the fund and the goal to measure success on the ability to reduce congestion, improve safety, expand economic opportunity and enhance statewide connectivity

Next steps:

* $1 billion in bonds will be issued within approximately 30 days

* TxDOT then plans to issue $1 billion in bonds for each of the next 3 years

For more information, call Randall Dillard, TxDOT Public Information Office, (512) 463-8588.

April 27, 2005

GREAT PROGRESS WAS ACHIEVED YESTERDAY ON THE TxDOT FUNDING ISSUE

The Texas Bond Review Board (BRB) will meet May 5 to take up the issue of the Texas Mobility Fund (TMF) bonds. The Transportation Commission will meet May 4 in a specially called meeting to prepare for the BRB meeting.

Click here to read the press release from Lt. Governor Dewhurst and TxDOT Commission meeting agenda.

March 4, 2005

CRITICAL WEEK FOR THE TEXAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
By: Lawrence Olsen

Next week the Texas House of Representatives will take up two of the most critical issues of the session: public school finance and property tax reform. Education Chairman Kent Grusendorf will be the top dog when the House considers House Bill 2 that reduces the Robin Hood concept of having wealthier school districts subsidize poorer ones. The bill passed out of the Education Committee on a 6-3 Republican/Democratic party line and the debate that begins Tuesday likely will take on partisan tones. The Republicans control the Texas House by a margin of 87-63.

When the House completes action on the public education legislation it will take up House Bill 3 by Rep. Jim Keffer of Eastland. This legislation will provide for a reduction in school property taxes by up to one-third. To pay for this reduction and for the total elimination of the franchise tax, it would create a 1.1 percent payroll tax; increase the sales tax from 6.25 to 7.2 and expand the number of taxable items; raise cigarette taxes by A dollar per pack and increase the sales tax on cars and boats from the current level to 7.35 percent. Although Chairman Keffer notes that this is a "revenue neutral" in that it will not be an overall tax increase, opponents will characterize it as a tax increase. And, with the education Bill, there is certain to be a genuine battle on the floor of the House. The last time that the House passed a revenue bill was 1991, and there are only 28 members who were in the House at that time, 17 Republicans and 11 Democrats.

CHAIRMAN KRUSEE FILES '"INDEXING" BILL

With the strong backing of House Speaker Tom Craddick, Rep. Mike Krusee of Round Rock has filed House Bill 5 that will index the motor fuels tax. Mr. Krusee, chairman of the House Transportation Committee, would use the consumer price index, published by the U.S. Department of Labor, to gauge the yearly adjustment of the state's motor fuel tax. The tax is now 20 cents that was last increased in 1991. Mr. Krusee's bill gives the Legislative Budget Board the authority to alter the rate and the new rate would become effective October 1. According to published reports, eight states currently index motor fuels taxes. The bill has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee. The members of this committee are Jim Keffer (R- Eastland), chairman; Mike Villareal (D-San Antonio), vice-chairman; Al Edwards (D-Houston); Kent Grusendorf (R-Arlington); Vilma Luna (D-Corpus Christi); Ken Paxton (R-McKinney); Allan Ritter (D-Nederland); John Smithee (R-Amarillo) and Beverly Woolley (R-Houston).

U.S. HOUSE CHAIRMAN VISITS WITH GOOD ROADS

Don Young of Alaska, chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, met with leaders of Texas Good Roads and the AGC of Texas while in Austin to participate in a function for the Keep Texas Beautiful group, arranged by TGR friend Debbie Albert of San Angelo.

Chairman Young said that his committee reported the federal highway Legislation unanimously from his 77--member committee March 2. The bill is expected to come to the floor next week. The bill tracks the Bush Administration's budget plan, spending $284 billion for the next six years. The biggest sticking point in negotiating the final bill remains the difference between the donor states and the recipient states in dividing the spending pie. Texans who serve on the committee, by far the largest in the Congress, are Democratic veteran Eddie Bernice Johnson of Dallas and two Republican freshmen Ted Poe of Houston and Kenny Marchant of Coppell. Marchant, who served nine terms in the Texas House of Representatives, has been named to the Subcommittee on Highways. That subcommittee is led by Tom Petri of Wisconsin. Rep. Mike Burgess of Denton left the committee after serving one term to join the Commerce Committee.

January 28, 2005

TEXAS LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEES NAMED

Speaker Tom Craddick, just elected to his second term, has slightly shuffled his deck of committee chairmanships while Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst has stood "pat" from the appointments he made last year following the departure of longtime Senate leaders Bill Ratliff and Teel Bivins.

Mike Krusee of Round Rock will continue his leadership of the House Transportation Committee. Rejoining him from last session will be second-termer Larry Phillips of Sherman as vice chairman, Peggy Hamric of Houston and Fred Hill of Richardson. All are Republicans. Newcomers to the committee are Buddy West (R-Odessa), Carter Casteel (R-New Braunfels),Bill Callegari (R-Katy), Kino Flores (D-McAllen) an Joe Deshotel (D-Beaumont).

Todd Staples of Palestine will succeed Steve Ogden as the Senate Transportation Committee chairman. Ogden will head Finance. Joining Staples on the committee will be Republicans Florence Shapiro of Plano; Kim Brimer of
Arlington; Jeff Wentworth of San Antonio and Jon Lindsay of Houston. Austin Democrat Gonzalo Barrientos will again serve as committee vice chairman and his fellow Democrats on the committee are Rodney Ellis of Houston, Frank Madla of San Antonio and Eliot Shapleigh of El Paso.

Craddick's shuffling includes Jim Pitts, Appropriations; Jerry Madden, Corrections; Allan Ritter, Economic Development; Suzanna Hupp, Public Health; Craig Eiland, Pensions; David Swinford, State Affairs; Jim Keffer, Ways and Means and Ray Allen, County Affairs. Pitts', Eiland and Hupp are first time chairmen. Of the 40 House committees, 10 are lead by Democrats. Republicans control the House by an 86-62 margin. One seat is the subject of an election contest, House District 149 in Harris County, where incumbent Republican Talmadge Heflin was edged by challenger Hubert Vo by 33 votes out of more than 40,000 ballots. In San Antonio's Dist.121, Rep. Elizabeth Ames Jones has relinquished her seat for the Railroad Commission appointment by Governor Rick Perry. Four candidates are vying for the February 5 special election with Republican Joe Straus III seen as the favorite in an overwhelmingly GOP District.

December 16, 2004
TxDOT News Release

Cintra will invest $7.2 billion for the Trans-Texas Corridor

AUSTIN —Taking an historic step, the Texas Transportation Commission today selected a proposal by Cintra — an international group of engineering, construction and financial firms — as the best value for the state in developing the Oklahoma-to-Mexico portion of the Trans-Texas Corridor (TTC-35).

Cintra proposes to invest $6 billion in a toll road between Dallas and San Antonio by 2010, give the state $1.2 billion for additional transportation improvements between Oklahoma and Mexico, and to extend the corridor into the Lower Rio Grande Valley to Mexico.

“This is an historic change in the way major transportation assets are built and paid for in Texas,” said Ric Williamson, chairman of the Texas Transportation Commission. “Private investment, not taxpayer dollars, will be where we look first for funding.”
To address the state’s need for immediate congestion relief on Interstate 35, the first phase of Cintra’s proposal calls for developing $6 billion in new roadways roughly paralleling the interstate by 2010. This includes building 316 miles of new four-lane divided highway from Dallas to San Antonio. According to the proposal, pending environmental clearance and the public-involvement process, construction could begin immediately after right-of-way acquisition.

Cintra’s package also includes funding options for a route connecting southeast San Antonio to State Highway 130 and for relocating — to the east — the existing Union Pacific Railroad between San Antonio and Austin.

Future projects envisioned by Cintra include separate lanes for cars and trucks on SH 130, a relief route around the west side of Fort Worth, a TTC-35 route from San Antonio to the Rio Grande Valley, and rail between Dallas and San Antonio.

Cintra is one of three groups to submit detailed proposals on how to develop the Oklahoma to Mexico element of the Trans-Texas Corridor. TxDOT has been studying the proposals since August, and today the Texas Transportation Commission accepted a staff recommendation that the Cintra proposal provided the best long-term value to the state.

In return for building the new transportation corridor and giving it to the state — plus paying the state $1.2 billion to invest in the corridor — Cintra proposes to negotiate for a 50-year contract to maintain and operate the new highway as a toll road.
“The private sector is willing and able to invest in transportation improvements to reduce congestion, improve safety, provide economic development, and protect our quality of life,” said Williamson. “There are many details to be worked out and separate environmental studies must be completed. Without a doubt, the private sector is knocking at our door with a nearly incredible opportunity for Texas.”

Contract negotiations between TxDOT and Cintra will begin immediately. The complete proposals will be made available for public review once a contract has been signed and TxDOT obtains ownership of the ideas and innovations presented by all three private firms. Prior to that, release of the proposals is prohibited due to the proprietary information they contain.
The five-member transportation commission voted unanimously to select Cintra as the state’s first private-sector firm on the Trans-Texas Corridor.

“In Texas, we’re breaking new ground,” Commissioner Robert Nichols said. “By far, this will be one of the largest private-sector investments in transportation in U.S. history.”

Commissioner Hope Andrade pointed to the proposal’s economic impact. “This is an enormously important crossroad for Texas,” she said. “This project will mean jobs and opportunities for the people of this state for generations to come.”

Commissioner John W. Johnson sees the proposal as a major stepping-stone toward the development of I-69 as well. “It amounts to a blueprint for building I-69,” he said.

“All of us on the commission appreciate the vision of Gov. Perry in proposing the Trans-Texas Corridor, which has now become a reality.” Commissioner Ted Houghton said.

To find more information on the Trans Texas Corridor, click here.

November 15, 2004

TGR Membership Alert...

If you are a pro football fan, you have a golden opportunity to have four outstanding seats to watch the homestanding Houston Texans take on Bret Favre and the Green Bay Packers Sunday, November 21 at the Reliant Stadium in the Bayou City. The Texans are coming off a bruising defeat on the road to the Indianapolis Colts but are sure to find a warm homecoming in an effort to square their season record at 5-5.

As you are doubtless aware, TGR President Bennie Bock and membership committee chairman Fred Heldenfels have been relentless selling TGR since the annual meeting this summer. They have decided that the TGR member who has gathered the most new members by close of business Thursday, November 18, will be awarded the Texan-Packers tickets generously donated by Williams Brothers Construction Co. Inc., Houston. Mr. Doug Pitcock's company has also added a parking pass to the valuable package.

So, while the rain pelts down throughout the state today, get on the phone, the fax or the email and sign up those new members, and let us know about it, as soon as you sign 'em up.

Click here for a membership application to recruit new members.

October 5, 2004

Transportation Funding

On September 30, Congress passed, and the President signed into law, HR 5183 http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=108_cong_bills&docid=f:h5183enr.txt.pdf , the sixth in a series of TEA-21 extensions since its expiration on September 30, 2003. With this measure, highway, transit and transportation safety programs will be funded until May 31, 2005.

The TEA-21 extension will:

Distribute the $1.8 billion in FY 2004 obligation, which Congress intended for member projects, out through the Minimum Guarantee formula to the states;

Assure that Texas and other donor states will receive a 90.5% rate of return based on the latest gas tax contribution data, as required by TEA-21;

Extend the budgetary firewalls protecting the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) from non-transportation spending;

Waive the Byrd Test http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/reauthorization/byrdtestinfo.htm#ftn1 that would otherwise have declared the HTF insolvent;

Continue the current HTF tax structure with one change: $940 million in new HTF funds is the result of a temporary transfer of a portion of the ethanol tax (2.5-cents/gallon) that had been directed to the General Fund for deficit reduction. This is applied for FY 2004 only. A complete transfer of the 2.5 cents and 5.2 cents from ethanol is waiting passage in a separate bill now in conference committee HR 4520 http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=108_cong_bills&docid=f:h4520eh.txt.pdf

Apportion to the states or allocate for discretionary programs $36.8 billion in new contract authority;

Authorize $35.3 billion in FY2005 obligation limitation for distribution until May 31, 2005;

Authorize $24.5 billion in highway obligation, $5.2 billion for transit, $200 million for highway safety, and $287 million for motor carrier safety.

(Contact: Tina Shaw)

June 3, 2004

TxDOT News Release
Report on Texas Bridges

Below is a news release, which will be posted on the TxDOT Web site this afternoon. Go to: http://www.dot.state.tx.us/brg/BridgeReport/FY03.pdf to see the report on the condition of bridges in Texas.

Report on Texas bridges released

AUSTIN
Texas is making progress in improving its more than 48,000 public bridges, but more work is needed, according to a report released by state transportation officials.

TxDOT's 2003 Report on Texas Bridges, now available to the public, found that 75 percent of all Texas bridges have a good condition rating, up five percent from 2000.

Fifteen percent of the bridges are functionally obsolete, meaning they do not meet current geometrical design standards and are not well suited to efficiently handle today's traffic volumes and types. Another six percent of the state's bridges are structurally deficient. That means they cannot indefinitely continue to handle the weight of today's heaviest vehicles or are frequently flooded or closed indefinitely. Four percent are classified as sub-standard for load-only bridges, meaning they are not structurally deficient or functionally obsolete but have a capacity less than the maximum load permitted by state law.

"Overall, public bridges in Texas are in better condition than they were three years ago," said Mary Lou Ralls, TxDOT's bridge division director. "But higher traffic volumes, heavier vehicles and an aging infrastructure mean we must continue to maintain, rehabilitate, and in some cases, replace Texas bridges."

Texas has 48,457 bridges, 40 percent more than any other state. Of these, 32,206 are owned by the state and 16,251 are owned by local public entities.

Other report findings include:

* Fifty seven percent of all Texas bridges have been in service more than 30 years.
* Twenty percent of all bridges in Texas were built before 1950 with 37 percent built between 1950 and 1970.
* TxDOT no longer builds on-system timber bridges, yet today 234 bridges with at least one timber element remain on the state highway system.

Last year, TxDOT contracted projects to upgrade 169 structurally deficient bridges and 78 functionally obsolete bridges.

TxDOT has an aggressive bridge inspection program. We climb over, under, around and inside bridges to make sure they are safe," Ralls said.

Inspectors evaluate and rate all the bridges in Texas on all public roads, whether they are maintained by the state, county, city, or other local public entity. Each structure must be evaluated at least every 24 months, with the most critical structures receiving an evaluation more frequently. At least once every five years, underwater divers inspect the bridge foundation and bridge columns that are below water.

April 8, 2004

Primary Runoff Update
By: Lawrence Olsen

PRIMARY RUNOFFS APRIL 13; EARLY VOTING STARTED APRIL 5

Close family members and hard-core political junkies will be among the minority of Texans who decide the outcome of one statewide race and several contests for the U.S. House of Representatives and the Texas House of Representatives. Probably less than 500,000 Texans will trudge to the polls to make these calls.

The only statewide race involves short term Railroad Commission Chairman Victor Carrillo. He fell a few hundred votes short of winning outright March 9 against three no-name opponents. He was appointed to the Commission by Governor Rick Perry last year, replacing Tony Garza.

In Congressional contests, Austinite Mike McCaul, with heavyweight endorsements, faces Houston businessman Ben Streusand, with heavyweight personal dough, in the newly drawn 10th that stretches east from Travis to Harris County. Long time GOPers will enjoy the fact that this district, formerly held by Congressman L.B. Johnson, had no Democrat file for it.

There is a Republican runoff in U.S. House District 15 but the ultimate winner will be incumbent Democrat Ruben Hinojosa of the Rio Grande Valley.

In East Texas, former district judge Louis Gohmert and Longview citizen John Graves battle for the right to meet incumbent Max Sandlin in November. The new district tilts R.

Texas House of Representative conservative leader Arlene Wohlgemuth (R-Burleson) led handsomely over Waco rancher Dot Snyder in the first go around. The winner gets Democratic incumbent Chet Edwards in what should be a donnybrook. This is District 17, centered in Waco.

The courts will be the ultimate arbiter in the see-saw battle between San Antonio incumbent Democrat Ciro Rodriguez and Laredo challenger Henry Cuellar. Rodriguez led in regulation but Cuellar captured the lead in overtime. The judiciary will represent "double" overtime.

Losing in the initial primary was Democratic incumbent Chris Bell, the only incumbent casualty (depending on outcome of Rodriguez—Cuellar legal battle).

TEXAS HOUSE RUNOFFS LOOM AS SEVERAL DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENTS BITE DUST

The following House Democrats were rejected in their primary: Ron Wilson of Houston, 27 year incumbent; Glenn Lewis of Fort Worth; Mike Wise of Weslaco; Timoteo Garza, Eagle Pass and Jamie Capelo of Corpus. Incumbents Robert Gutierrez of McAllen and Gabriela Canales of Alice trailed badly and are in runoffs.

Other House contests on April 13: Republicans Jean Killgore of Somerville and Jay Yates of Bastrop will compete to face incumbent Robby Cook (D-Eagle Lake) in the fall. In Corpus, trial lawyer candidate Abel Herrero faces business leader Nelda Martinez in the former Capelo district. In District 58, clothier Sam Walls, a.k.a. Samantha, will face Rob Orr, to replace
Wohlgemuth in the Johnson-Burleson County area. In San Antone's district 117, Ken Mireles faces veteran candidate David Leibowitz and the winner gets rookie Republican incumbent Ken Mercer in what should be one of the hottest fall races.

The only incumbent Senators who faced primary challenges won, Senators Zaffirini and Van de Putte easily and Senator Gallegos, with 54 percent.

April 2, 2004

Today, the US House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed H.R. 3550, the Highway Reauthorization Legislation.

The bill will now go to a conference committee where the House & Senate will adjust differences in legislation. The Senate bill authorizes $318 billion dollars in expenditures over 6 years, while the House bill will spend $275 billion.

March 5, 2004

Federal Highway/Primary Election Update
By: Lawrence Olsen

FEDERAL FUNDING CONTINUES

President Bush Sunday (Feb. 29) signed legislation that continues funding for the federal highway program for two months, through April 30. The U.S. House had extended the continuing funding resolution Feb. 11 for four months. But the Senate opted for a shorter time frame that prevailed in the disagreement between the two legislative bodies. The Senate passed its version (S. 1072) Feb. 12 at a six-year level of $318 billion, some $62 billion over the Administration's recommendation. The House is yet to act on its version.

EARLY PRIMARY VOTING ENDS TOMORROW

Should voters plan to be out of town on business next Tuesday (March 9) today is the final day to vote "early" in the party primaries. And to be very honest about it, with the exception of some hot local contests, the statewide ballot is not likely to drum up much in the way of voters.

At the top of the ballot will be some contests for the newly drawn 32 Congressional districts. The top statewide race will be the challenge of Railroad Commission Chairman Victor Carrillo, the former Taylor County Judge appointed to the energy regulating body by Gov. Rick Perry. Carrillo has three little known and little funded opponents in the Republican primary.

Three Democratic state senators have primary foes: Senators Judith Zaffirini of Laredo; Leticia Van de Putte of San Antonio and Mario Gallegos of Houston. Only Gallegos, because of some extracurricular activities, is expected to have much of a fight.

Several Texas House of Rep. long-time incumbents have foes. They include: Pat Haggerty of El Paso; Tommy Merritt of Longview; Ruben Hope of Conroe; Bob Hunter of Abilene; Harvey Hilderban of Kerrville; Joe Nixon and Bill Callegari of Houston; Toby Goodman of Arlington and Buddy West of Odessa. All of these previously listed are Republicans. Democratic vets with battles are Dan Ellis of Livingston; Allan Ritter of Nederland (challenged by former senator David Bernsen); Mike Wise of Weslaco; Glenn Lewis of Fort Worth; Ruth McClendon of San Antonio; Robby Cook of Eagle Lake; Mark Homer of Paris; Chuck Hopson of Jacksonville; Robert Gutierrez of McAllen; Jaime Capelo of Corpus Christi; Ron Wilson, Joe Moreno, Jessica Farrar, Harold Dutton and Scott Hochberg, all of Houston.

Several rookies (one-termers) in both parties have primary challenges, including Jack Stick (R-Austin); Bill Zedler (R- Arlington); Glen Henegar (R-Katy); Teri Canales (D-Alice); Timeo Garza (D)-Eagle Pass (challenged by former Rep. Tracy King of Batesville) and Aaron Pena (D Edinburg).

On Tuesday, the polls will be open from 7 a.m. To 7 p.m., so let your voice be heard at the ballot box.

January 8, 2004

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Rick Perry

Post Office Box 12428
Austin, Texas, 78711

512-463-2000 (Voice)
711 for Relay Texas

For Immediate Release
Contact: Kathy Walt, Gene Acuña or
Robert Black: 512-463-1826

Gov. Perry Names Williamson Chair Of Texas Transportation Commission

AUSTIN * Gov. Rick Perry today designated Richard F. "Ric" Williamson as chair of the Texas Transportation Commission for a term to begin at the next scheduled meeting. The commission oversees statewide activities of the Texas Department of Transportation.

A member of the Texas Legislature from 1985-98, Williamson served as vice chair of the House Appropriations Committee and a member of the Ways and Means Committee and House Select Committee on Revenue and Public Education Funding.

Williamson has served on several boards, including the Texas Legislative Budget Board, Uniform Statewide Accounting System Committee, Southern Legislative Conference, and the Weatherford Little League Association. He is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin.

Williamson was originally appointed to the commission by Perry in March 2001 for a term to expire Feb. 1, 2007. He will serve as chair at the pleasure of the governor.

January 7, 2004

Legislative Races
By: Lawrence Olsen

ALTHOUGH 2004 IS A PRESIDENTIAL YEAR, THE ONLY STATEWIDE RACES ON THE BALLOT THIS YEAR ARE FOR ONE RAILROAD COMMISSION POSTS AND THREE SEATS EACH ON THE SUPREME COURT AND THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS. DEMOCRATS HAVE CHALLENGED INCUMBENT REPUBLICANS IN ONLY THREE OF THESE SEVEN RACES.

WITH YESTERDAY’S FEDERAL COURT DECISION, FILING FOR THE NEWLY CONFIGURED CONGRESSIONAL SEATS IS OPEN UNTIL JANUARY 16.

FILING CLOSED FOR STATE SENATE AND STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ON JANUARY 2. 15 OF THE 31 SENATE SEATS WERE UP FOR REELECTION THIS YEAR. THE FOLLOWING INCUMBENTS DREW NO OPPOSITION: TOMMY WILLIAMS, R- WOODLANDS; CHRIS HARRIS, R-ARLINGTON; KIM BRIMER, R- FORT WORTH; MIKE JACKSON, R- LA PORTE; JOHN CARONA, R-DALLAS; JUAN HINOJOSA, D-MCALLEN; ROYCE WEST, D-DALLAS; TROY FRASER, R-HORSESHOE BAY; EDDIE LUCIO, D-BROWNSVILLE AND BOB DUNCAN, R-LUBBOCK. DEMOCRATIC SENATORS MARIO GALLEGOS, HOUSTON; LETICIA VAN DE PUTTE, SAN ANTONIO AND JUDITH ZAFFIRINI, LAREDO, ALL DREW PRIMARY OPPONENTS AND CRAIG ESTES, R-WICHITA FALLS, WILL FACE A GENERAL ELECTION FOE IN NOVEMBER.

AMARILLO DEMOCRAT ELAINE MILLER WILL FACE THE WINNER AMONG SIX REPUBLICANS VYING IN THE PRIMARY TO FILL THE SEAT VACATED BY SEN. TEEL BIVINS. THE SAME CREW, SANS MS. MILLER, IS ALSO BATTLING IN A JANUARY 20 SPECIAL ELECTION TO FILL THE REMAINDER OF SEN. BIVINS’ TERM, AS HE WILL RESIGN JANUARY 12. A SIMILAR ELECTION IS OCCURRING ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE STATE IN NORTHEAST TEXAS WHERE SEVERAL CITIZENS ARE OFFERING THEMSELVES TO THE VOTERS AS A REPLACEMENT FOR SENATOR BILL RATLIFF WHO WILL RESIGN JANUARY 10; THAT EVENTUAL WINNER WILL SERVE THE REMAINING TWO YEARS ON THE MOUNT PLEASANT REPUBLICAN’S TERM. REPUBLICANS CURRENTLY HOLD A 19-12 EDGE IN THE TEXAS SENATE.

IN THE 150 MEMBER HOUSE, THE GOP HAS AN 88-62 ADVANTAGE OVER THE DEMOCRATS. ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE 45 INCUMBENTS GARNERED NO OPPONENTS; SIX HAVE PRIMARY OPPONENTS ONLY (MERRITT OF LONGVIEW; HOPE OF CONROE; HILDERBRAN OF KERRVILLE; BOB HUNTER OF ABILENE AND BILL CALLEGARI , KATY AND JOE NIXON, HOUSTON).

THE FOLLOWING REPUBLICANS HAVE RACES IN BOTH THE MARCH PRIMRY AND THE NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION: GLEN HENEGAR, KATY; JACK STICK, AUSTIN; SCOTT CAMPBELL, SAN ANGELO; TOBY GOODMAN, ARLINGTON; BUDDY WEST, ODESSA AND BILL ZEDLER, ARLINGTON.

REPUBLICANS WHO HAVE GENERAL ELECTION RACES ONLY ARE: JIM PITTS, WAXAHACHIE; MIKE HAMILTON, MAURICEVILLE; DENNIS BONNEN, ANGLETON; SID MILLER, STEPHENVILLE; JIM PAXTON, MCKINNEY; JODIE LAUBENBERG, ROCKWALL; ANNA MOWERY, FORT WORTH; BRYAN HUGHES, MINEOLA; DAN GATTIS, GEORGETOWN; SUZANNA HUPP, LAMPASAS; JIM KEFFER, EASTLAND; DELWIN JONES, LUBBOCK; KENT GRUSENDORF, ARLINGTON; CHARLIE GEREN, FORT WORTH; TONY GOOLSBY, DALLAS; LINDA HARPER BROWN, IRVING; DAN BRANCH, HIGHLAND PARK; RAY ALLEN, GRAND PRAIRIE; FRED HILL, RICHARDSON; JOE DRIVER, GARLAND; KEN MERCER, SAN ANTONIO; PEGGY HAMRIC, JOE CRABB, TALMADGE HEFLIN , DWAYNE BOHAC AND WAYNE SMITH, ALL HOUSTON AND TODD BAXTER, AUSTIN.

30 INCUMBENT DEMOCRATS HAVE NO CHALLENGERS.

NINE DEMOS WILL BE IN OR OUT BY THE PRIMARIES. THEY ARE: ALLAN RITTER, NEDERLAND (BEING CHALLENGED BY FORMER SENATOR AND HIGHWAY COMMISSION CHAIRMAN DAVID BERNSEN OF BEAUMONT); MIKE WISE, WESLACO; AARON PENA, EDINBURG; TIMEO GARZA, EAGLE PASS (FACING FORMER REPRESENTATIVE TRACY KING OF CARRIZO SPRINGS); GLENN LEWIS, FORT WORTH; RUTH JONES MCCLENDON, SAN ANTONIO; RON WILSON, HOUSTON; JOE MORENO AND JESSICA FARRAR, BOTH HOUSTON.

DEMOCRATS WHO HAVE BOTH SPRING AND FALL RACES ARE: MARK HOMER, PARIS; CHUCK HOPSON, JACKSONVILLE; DAN ELLIS, LIBERTY; ROBBIE COOK, EAGLE PASS; TERI CANALES, ALICE; SCOTT HOCHBERG AND HAROLD DUTTON, HOUSTON.

THESE DEMOCRATS WILL HAVE THEIR CONTESTS IN THE NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION: JIM MCREYNOLDS, LUFKIN; PATRICK ROSE, DRIPPING SPRINGS; JIM DUNNAM, WACO; JOHN MABRY, WACO; PAUL MORENO, EL PASO; JUAN ESCOBAR, KINGSVILLE; DAVID FARABEE, WICHITA FALLS; JOE PICKETT, EL PASO; PETE LANEY, HALE CENTER; LON BURNAM, FORT WORTH; CARLOS URESTI, ROBERT PUENTE AND MIKE VILLAREAL, SAN ANTONIO AND KEVIN BAILEY, HOUSTON.

THERE ARE FIVE SEATS VACATED VOLUNTARILY. LEAVING AND NOT RUNNING ARE DEMOCRATS BARRY TELFORD OF DE KALB AND STEVE WOLENS OF DALLAS. SEEKING CONGRESSIONAL SEATS IN NEWLY CONFIGURED BOUNDARIES ARE REPUBLICANS KENNY MARCHANT OF COPPELL, ARLENE WOHLGEMUTH OF BURLESON AND WAYNE CHRISTIAN OF CENTER.

January 6, 2004

Court Rules On Congressional Redistricting

The U.S. District Court ruled today in Austin in favor of the congressional map drawn by the Texas Legislature during its third special session. Judges Patrick Higginbotham and Lee Rosenthal, both named by Republican presidents, wrote the 99-page majority opinion. Judge John Ward, a Clinton appointee, concurred in part of the opinion and dissented in another portion.

Most observers believe the new map would drastically change the composition of the Texas congressional delegation. Now, Democrats hold 17 of the seats and Republicans 15. Some speculate the Republicans would capture 22 of the 32 new districts in the 2004 elections.

Filing for the Congressional seats is open until January 16. Experts predict that it is very unlikely that the U.S. Supreme Court would consider an appeal from the three judge panel’s decision in time to affect the March 9 primaries.

December 15, 2003

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
Rick Perry

Post Office Box 12428
Austin, Texas, 78711
512-463-2000 (Voice) 512-475-3165 (TDD)

For Immediate Release
Contact: Kathy Walt, Gene Acuña or Robert Black: (512) 463-1826

Gov. Perry Announces Appointment of Hope Andrade, Ted Houghton to Transportation Commission

SAN ANTONIO – Gov. Rick Perry today announced the appointment of Esperanza “Hope” Andrade of San Antonio and Ted Houghton Jr. of El Paso to the Texas Transportation Commission, which oversees statewide activities of the Texas Department of Transportation.

“Hope Andrade and Ted Houghton Jr. share my vision for a reliable transportation system that will attract jobs, break gridlock and make Texas the free trade leader in the Western Hemisphere,” Perry said.

Andrade, vice president of OptimaCare, Inc., and Houghton, a self-employed financial services, executive benefits and estate planning expert, fill two new positions on the commission created when the Texas legislature expanded the commission from three to five members.

Andrade previously was a Perry appointee to the Texas Turnpike Commission until its functions were merged into the Texas Department of Transportation. She also has served on Via Metropolitan Transit and the Free Trade Alliance.

Andrade also served as chair of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in 1998, and currently serves on the board of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. She also serves on the United Way of San Antonio board.

State Reps. Robert Puente, D-San Antonio, and Elizabeth Ames Jones, R-San Antonio, praised Andrade’s selection.

“Because of Hope Andrade’s private sector experience, transportation expertise and South Texas roots, Governor Perry could not have picked a more ideal Texan to serve on the Transportation Commission,” said Puente, chair of House Natural Resources Committee and dean of the San Antonio Delegation in the House.

"No Governor has demonstrated a greater commitment to improving our state's transportation system and creating jobs than Rick Perry,” said Jones. “In Hope Andrade, the Governor has picked a dynamic leader who will work tirelessly to represent the transportation needs of South Texas."

Houghton, a member of the School Land Board and former vice-chair of the El Paso Water Utilities Public Service Board, becomes the first El Paso resident to serve on the commission in its 86-year history.

He also previously served on El Paso’s Rapid Transit Board, as vice president, chair of its public relations and communications committee, and treasurer of its political action committee.

"The expansion of the Transportation Commission from three members to five members was the number one priority of the Border and International Affairs Committee," said Rep. Norma Chavez. The El Paso Democrat chairs the Border and International Affairs Committee. "Governor Perry's appointment of two people from the 43 county Border region is not only good for the border region but for all Texas as 78 percent of NAFTA traffic comes through Texas ports of entry. The appointments are pro-economic development and we are elated to have El Pasoan Ted Houghton appointed as one of the commissioners," Chavez added.

Perry has made transportation a priority of his administration because reliable, safe transportation is critical to the safety and quality of life of Texans, retaining and attracting jobs, and making Texas the leader when it comes to new trade and commercial opportunities.

Perry noted that the newly expanded Transportation Commission represents the geographic diversity of this state. Along with existing members John W. “Johnny” Johnson of Houston, Ric Williamson of Weatherford, Robert Lee Nichols of Jacksonville, commission members represent rural, urban and border interests, and each member comes from different regions of the state: East, West, North, South and Southeast Texas.

November 24, 2003

TxDOT Administrative Announcement
DATE: November 24, 2003
FROM: Michael W. Behrens, P. E.
SUBJECT: Interim Corpus Christi District Engineer

Effective December 1, 2003, Paula Sales-Evans, P.E., will serve as the Interim Corpus Christi District Engineer until the position can be filled. Paula is currently the Director of Transportation Planning and Development.

June 20, 2003

Governor Perry signs GREAT BILL for highway program

As you may have read, yesterday Governor Rick Perry signed House Bill 3588, authored by State Representative Mike Krusee of Round Rock, Chairman of the House Transportation Committee. The bill was sponsored in the Senate by Steve Ogden of College Station, Chairman of the Infrastructure Development & Security Committee. Click here for a summary of this landmark bill, provided by the legislative staff. This bill is a BIG WIN for Texas Good Roads supporters. You'll not the disclaimer following the summary describing the clerical error in the final conference report. Comptroller Strayhorn highlighted this error in her press conference yesterday as the main reason she couldn't certify the state budget.

June 3, 2003

78th Session Closes

The 78th Texas Legislature adjourned June 2. With the passage of H.B. 3588, funds will be available in the next biennium for the Texas Mobility Fund. This bill also includes a blueprint for Governor Perry's visionary Trans-Texas Corridor.

Additionally, funding was provided by H.B. 1365 for the Texas Clean Air Act.

May 30, 2003

78th Session Draws to a close with much in limbo

Governor Perry said recently that the 78th Legislature had to produce three bills to be called successful: the budget, insurance reform and tort reform (including medical malpractice). Texas Good Roads was hoping for passage of two critical items: the Clean Air Act funding and some general revenue dollars to kick start the Texas Mobility Fund. Since he has the ability to do so, Governor Perry declared tort reform and homeowners’ insurance relief as legislative emergencies, meaning that they can be considered in the first 60 days of the 140-day session. With 72 hours to go in the regular session, none of these five issues has completed its path through the process that leads to the governor’s desk.

In addition to these make or break issues, also still under consideration are two bills of significant interest to the highway community: H.B. 3588, which provides funding for the Mobility Fund and provides a framework for Governor Perry’s Trans-Texas Corridor and H.B. 2458 which changes the method for collection of motor fuels taxes, the so-called point of collection. Both of these bills have passed both houses but await appointment of conference committees as time grows nigh.

One vexing issue that appears to have gone away (at least legislatively, for now) is the ongoing effort by Senator Troy Fraser to defeat efforts to permit a rock crushing facility in his home county of Burnet. Governor Perry has issued an executive order, declaring an interim study on this question and asked his lifelong friend, Senator Fraser, whom he met when they were both teenage delegates to the Boys State convention at the capitol some 30 years ago, to lead the study.

April 10, 2003

Highway borrowing bills get green light in Senate

By Peggy Fikac
Chief, Express-News Austin Bureau

Web Posted : 04/10/2003 12:00 AM

AUSTIN —The state could borrow up to $1 billion from its public school trust fund to buy land for highways and issue as much as another $5 billion in highway improvement bonds under proposals approved Wednesday by the Texas Senate.

Senate Joint Resolution 43, to allow borrowing some of the $17 billion Permanent School Fund to pay for rights-of-way, and SJR 44 were approved 28-3 and go to the House.

The bonds in SJR 44 would be secured by the state highway fund and issued by the Texas Transportation Commission.

The measures are proposed constitutional amendments, which must be approved by two-thirds of the Legislature and by voters on a statewide ballot.

Both proposals are by Sen. Steve Ogden, R-College Station, chairman of the Infrastructure Development and Security Committee.

Senate Education Committee Chairwoman Florence Shapiro, R-Plano, said that at first glance at SJR 43, she was "very concerned that we were borrowing from the schoolchildren to build roads."

She said she supported the measure after saying Ogden had shown her the school fund won't be impaired and could benefit. The measure says the interest rate may not be less than the average rate of return to the fund for the previous five years.

Lawrence Olsen of the Texas Good Roads Transportation Association — among whose 2,000 members are chambers of commerce, highway contractors and other businesses — also supports SJR 43.

But he opposes SJR 44 because the bonds would be guaranteed by the highway fund, which is financed by federal funds, motor fuels taxes and vehicle registration fees to the tune of about $10 billion every two years.

Olsen and other opponents don't want to take construction money from that fund to pay bond costs.

MARCH 25, 2003

Commissioner Ric Williamson spoke on behalf of legislation creating the Trans Texas Cooridor March 25 at the House Transportation Committee. Texas Good Roads is supporting this legislation which Governor Perry revealed last year and spoke about at our Annual Meeting.

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CHAIRMAN KRUSEE AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS, THANK YOU FOR ASKING ME TO COMMENT ON THE PROPOSAL.

HOUSE BILL 1198 WILL ADVANCE THE PROGRESSIVE TRANSPORTATION AGENDA OF GOVERNOR PERRY AND MEMBERS OF THE TEXAS TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION.

WITH YOUR PERMISSION I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOME BACKGROUND ON THE TRANS TEXAS CORRIDOR AND THEN TOUCH ON A FEW SENSITIVE ISSUES ABOUT THE IDEA.

SIXTEEN YEARS AGO THE LEGISLATURE AND GOVERNOR CLEMENTS FACED MANY OF THE SAME CHALLENGES YOU FACE TODAY. REVENUE WAS NOT GROWING FAST ENOUGH TO MAINTAIN INCREASES IN DESIRABLE GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS. THE STATE WAS ENGAGED IN A SERIES OF FEDERAL COURT BATTLES CONCERNING THE STATE PRISON SYSTEM AND THE STATE MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM THE OUTCOME OF WHICH WOULD SURELY RAISE THE COST OF THOSE PROGRAMS.DUE TO THE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN RELATED TO ENERGY AND BANKING, MANY TEXANS WERE RETURNING TO STATE SUPPORTED COLLEGES TO IMPROVE THEIR SKILL LEVELS. AND THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN ENROLLED IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS WAS GROWING AT A HIGH RATE.

AS IS THE CASE NOW, THOSE WERE DIFFICULT TIMES.BUT DIFFICULT TIMES OFTEN PRESENT LEADERSHIP WITH INTERESTING OPPORTUNITIES AND SUCH WAS THE CASE FOR SPEAKER GIB LEWIS. SPEAKER LEWIS CHOSE TO APPOINT GOVERNOR PERRY AND MANY OF HIS CLASS MATES IN THE LEGISLATURE TO COMMITTEES WHICH WOULD SERVE AS A PLATFORM FOR EXPLORING NEW AND DIFFERENT SOLUTIONS TO CONFRONT THE CASH FLOW CRISIS.AND SPEAKER LEWIS GAVE THOSE LEGISLATORS SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS: NO IDEA WOULD BE DISCARDED AND ALL CHANGES WERE ON THE TABLE.

OVER THE NEXT FOUR YEARS GOVERNOR PERRY AND HIS FRIENDS SPENT A GREAT DEAL OF TIME RESEARCHING IDEAS TO CREATE MORE REVENUE, TO DECREASE THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS AND TO DELIVER SERVICES TO TEXANS AS FAST AND AS CHEAP AS POSSIBLE.

FOUR IDEAS WERE PARTICULARLY INTERESTING TO GOVERNOR PERRY.

FIRST WAS THE IDEA OF USING TOLL DEBT TO BUILD NEW HIGHWAYS IN THE STATE.

SECOND WAS THE IDEA OF BUILDING A HIGH SPEED RAIL SYSTEM CONNECTING DALLAS-FORT WORTH, AUSTIN, SAN ANTONIO AND HOUSTON.

THIRD WAS THE IDEA OF USING TOTAL PROJECT DELIVERY, SOMETIMES CALLED TURN KEY OR DESIGN BUILD OR EXCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT, AS A CONTRACT PROCESS FOR BUILDING HIGHWAYS.

AND FOURTH WAS THE IDEA OF CREATING AN ADDITIONAL SOURCE OF REVENUE TO FINANCE TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS IN THE FUTURE.

FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS THESE FOUR IDEAS WERE NOT ADVANCED TO LEGISLATION.

TWO YEARS AGO THE LEGISLATURE PASSED AND GOVERNOR PERRY SIGNED SEVERAL IMPORTANT LAWS WHICH OPENED THE DOOR FOR GOVERNOR PERRY TO FOCUS ON TOLL CONSTRUCTION, RAIL, TOTAL PROJECT DELIVERY AND REVENUE STABILITY. EIGHTEEN MONTHS AGO THE PUBLIC ADOPTED A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WHICH PROVIDES YOU WITH THE UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO ADVANCE CONSTRUCTION OF NEW HIGHWAYS IN OUR STATE USING A COMBINATION OF TAX REVENUE AND TOLL BONDS.

SHORTLY AFTER THE SESSION ENDED IN 2001 GOVERNOR PERRY BEGAN TO OUTLINE HIS VISION FOR A MODERN TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM WHICH WOULD ANTICIPATE AND AVOID SOME OF THE TRANSPORTATION PROBLEMS OF THE FUTURE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER TOLL EQUITY WAS APPROVED BY THE VOTERS, GOVERNOR PERRY ASKED THE TEXAS TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION TO CREATE A PLAN TO USE TOLL EQUITY AND THE LAWS YOU PASSED LAST SESSION TO ESTABLISH NEW POLICY FOR BUILDING IN OUR STATE THE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM OF THE FUTURE.

IN CREATING THE PLAN GOVERNOR PERRY DIRECTED THE COMMISSION TO FOCUS ON THE FOLLOWING:

ONE: THE REVENUE NECESSARY TO PAY FOR THE SYSTEM WOULD HAVE TO BE USER FEE DRIVEN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

TWO: THE PRIVATE SECTOR WOULD HAVE TO BE GIVEN MAXIMUM OPPORTUNITY TO BE A PARTNER WITH THE STATE IN FINANCING, BUILDING AND OPERATING THE SYSTEM.

THREE: THE SYSTEM WOULD INCLUDE RAIL FOR BOTH CONSUMERS AND BUSINESS.