CATC Mobility Headlines

The Texas Sunset Advisory Commission’s report on the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) was less than favorable. Citing problems the department’s credibility which has resulted in public mistrust, the Sunset Commission recommended the creation of a legislative oversight committee and that the agency be reviewed again in four years rather, a departure from the usual twelve-year cycle.

Other recommendations:

• Replacing the 5-member Texas Transportation Commission and the Executive Director with a single Commissioner of Transportation, whose appointment by the Governor would have to be confirmed by the Legislature and re-confirmed every two years.
• Providing better access to independent transportation information and research;
  Increasing transparency of TxDOT’s transportation planning and project development process;
• Improving TxDOT’s public involvement efforts;
• Making the department’s contracting functions more accountable, particularly its development of comprehensive development agreements.

The next step will be July 15, when a public hearing will be held in Austin regarding the future of TXDOT, followed by a vote by the Sunset Commission in September, and legislative action in the 2009 session.

TXDOT Sunset Advisory Commission Staff Report

TXDOT Sunset Advisory Commission Self Evaluation

Commission releases scathing report on TXDOT - Austin Business Journal

TXDOT credibility in political pothole - Austin American-Statesman Editorial Board

The Austin American-Statesman Editorial Board weighs in on Gov. Perry’s appointment of his former Chief of Staff, Deirdre Delisi, as Chair of the Texas Transportation Commission. The jury’s still out:

“Though it is fortunate that Central Texas now has a presence on the transportation commission, Delisi still must show that she is more than a Perry pawn. Can she lead the commission? Can she push back? Can she be independent when she needs to be?”

Can Delisi steer Transportation through all the potholes?

Meanwhile, San Antonio businesswoman Hope Andrade remains unruffled by not being re-appointed to the Commission. Perry’s decision is seen as an effort to achieve geographic balance while retaining a strong advocate for Perry’s transportation agenda, but there is already grumbling that Delisi can hardly be considered a representative for South Texas.

South Texan seen as casualty in revamped highway panel - San Antonio Express News

The Governor’s office announced today that Rick Perry has appointed his former Chief of Staff Deirdre Delisi of Austin and Ft. Worth executive William Meadows to the Texas Transportation Commission. Meadows replaces the late Ric Williamson, who died in late December 2007. Delisi will replace Hope Andrade and will serve as Chair of the Commission. Delisi and Meadows’ terms expire Feb.1, 2013.

Governor’s Press Release

The Dallas Morning News reported that North Texas Toll Authority Board Member William Meadows has been approached by Gov. Perry’s office regarding appointment to the state transportation commission.  The Commission is currently short a member due to the December 2007 death of Commission Chair Ric Williamson. Meadows, a Fort Worth insurance executive, said he would serve if appointed by the Governor.

NTTA official may serve on Texas Transportation Commission - Dallas Morning News

Governor Perry has named Texas Transportation Commissioner Hope Andrade as interim Chair to succeed Ric Williamson, who died December 30. Andrade has been a member of the Commission since 2003 when she was appointed by Perry after the Commission was expanded from three to five members.

Perry names Andrade interim transportation chairman - Houston Chronicle
Interim chair named at transportation commission - Austin Business Journal

Texas Transportation Chair Ric Williamson died last night from an apparent heart attack. Williamson was appointed to the Commission by Gov. Rick Perry in March 2001 and became the Chair in January 2004.

More information:

TXDOT Statement

Austin Business Journal

Austin American-Statesman Blog

News 8 Austin

KEYE

TXDOT Executive Director Mike Behrens has announced his retirement effective August 31, 2007.

Behrens became executive director Sept. 1, 2001. In that position he is responsible for managing, directing, and implementing TxDOT policies, programs, and operating strategies and representing TxDOT before the Texas Legislature and other entities.

Austin American Statesman: Transporation Chief to Retire in August

This Dallas Morning News article recounts the tempestuous exchange between Senator Transportation Chair John Carona and Texas Transportation Commission Chair Ric Williamson.

Carona showed up at a House Transportation Committee meeting on Tuesday, Feb 13. When invited to speak by House Transportation Chair Mike Krusee, Carona stated that he was there to set up a meeting with Williamson as Williamson’s staff indicated his calendar was booked through March. When Williamson declined to schedule a meeting that week (offering a follow-up to call the Senator instead), Carona let forth a barrage of criticism for both Williamson and the Texas Department of Transportation.

Ben Wear also reported on the confrontation in the Austin American-Statesman’s online blog Postcards from the Lege.

Governor Rick Perry has appointed two new commissioners to the Texas Transportation Commission to fill the vacancy left by newly-elected Texas State Senator Robert Nichols and allowing John Johnson, whose term expired in 2005, to step down.

Fred Underwood, president and CEO of Trinity Co., a cotton bale storage facility, takes Nichols’ former office while Ned Holmes, chairman and CEO of Parkway Investments, a real estate management/development company, will replace Johnson.

More changes on the Commission could be coming soon. Both Commission Chair Ric Williamson and member Hope Andrade’s terms expire in February.

For more information, see the Austin American-Statesman article at: http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/01/09/9commisioners.html.

In other Statesman news, CATC Board member Jim Skaggs weighs in on the air quality debate in the commentary section of the Op-Ed page. The article can be read here: http://www.statesman.com/opinion/content/editorial/stories/01/09/9air_edit.html