Jun 24
Austin American-Statesman transportation columnist Ben Wear considers the impact of losing Rep. Mike Krusee and Sen. Steve Ogden, who chaired the transportation committees in the their respective chambers. During their tenures, Krusee and Ogden carried the omnibus transportation bill, HB 3588, that enabled expedited Texas road construction via innovative toll revenue financing and TXDOT allocated billions for construction and maintenance of various Austin toll roads.
However, Krusee leaves the Legislature at the end of year and Ogden moved up to the Senate Finance Committee chairmanship in 2005. As none of the plausible House Transportation chair contenders represent the region, the Capital Area’s hopes rest on Sen. Kirk Watson, vice-chair of the Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee, to bring transportation dollars to Central Texas.
Krusee, Ogden brought Central Texas transportation money - Austin American-Statesman
Mar 12
In a letter sent yesterday, Texas legislators urged TXDOT to borrow $1.5 billion by bonding gas tax revenues as a short-term solution to get road construction projects moving again. (The Legislature authorized TxDOT to borrow up to $6 billion against the gas tax and the agency has issued $2.9 billion to date). In return, legislators promise to cut back gas tax diversions on non-roadway expenditures. The letter was signed by Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, House Speaker Tom Craddick, Senate Finance Chairman Steve Ogden and House Appropriations Chairman Warren Chisum.
TxDOT’s response was to demur to the Governor, whose response was less than enthusiastic. A Perry spokesman said the Governor was looking for long-term, not stop-gap, solutions.
Legislators suggest TxDOT borrow money for projects
Borrow more for roads, legislators urge transportation department Austin American-Statesman
Dewhurst: Go forth and borrow Austin American-Statesman
Nov 07
Texas voters approved Proposition 12 by 63%, paving the way reducing the state’s multi-billion dollar transportation shortfalls. The constitutional amendment allows the state to issue $5 billion in bonds to fund road construction and maintenance.
The Texas Legislature must now approve the authorizing legislation before the bonds can be issued.
SJR 64
House Research Organization Report on SJR 64
Jun 13
Gov. Rick Perry signed SB 792, the only legislation significantly affecting toll road policy passed in the 80th Legislative Session. The bill places a two-year moratorium on comprehensive development agreements (CDAs) with private companies.
The bill’s direct effect on Central Texas is that it prevents TXDOT from being able to sell the Central Texas Turnpike Project tollroads (SH 130, SH 45, and Loop 1N) to a private entity. For additional details on the bill, see the Governor’s press release.
Jun 12
The business community continues to see transportation one of the most important issues facing the region. Last week’s issue of the Greater Austin Chamber’s electronic newsletter @theChamber asked what issue the Legislature should focus on in the next session. The results, reported in this week’s issue, placed transportation as the top priority with one-third of the votes - nearly equal to the next two runner-ups, education spending and healthcare, combined.
Apr 23
The Senate Transportation Committee will hold a hearing April 23 on the Pickle Parkway Bill (HB 2296) in Hearing Room E1.016. The Senate Committee meeting begins at 8:00 AM.
Additional details on the hearing are available here.
Update: The bill passed 6-0 and has been sent to the uncontested calendar.
Feb 16
Sen. Kirk Watson announces the filing of SB 688 - Tolls Transparency and Accountability Act, which you may have read about in today’s news (Austin American Statesman). A copy of the bill text in .pdf format is available at http://catransco.org/Documents/Legis/State/SB00668.pdf
Briefly, the bill would:
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Austin American-Statesman transportation columnist Ben Wear considers the impact of losing Rep. Mike Krusee and Sen. Steve Ogden, who chaired the transportation committees in the their respective chambers. During their tenures, Krusee and Ogden carried the omnibus transportation bill, HB 3588, that enabled expedited Texas road construction via innovative toll revenue financing and TXDOT allocated billions for construction and maintenance of various Austin toll roads.
Senator Kirk Watson’s weekly “