Lt. Governor David Dewhurst Announces Changes to Senate Committee Assignments - July 15, 2010
Lt. Governor David Dewhurst today announced changes to Senate Committee assignments for the 81st Legislature, including eight committee chairmanships, in order to allow the members to prepare for the upcoming 82nd Legislative Session. The following changes were made in committee chairs:
Administration - Sen. Kevin Eltife (Tyler)
Business & Commerce - Sen. John Carona (Dallas)
Economic Development - Sen. Mike Jackson (La Porte)
Jurisprudence - Sen. Chris Harris (Arlington)
Natural Resources - Sen. Troy Fraser (Horseshoe Bay)
Nominations - Sen. Bob Deuell (Greenville)
Transportation & Homeland Security - Sen. Tommy Williams (The Woodlands)
Select Committee on Veterans Health - Sen. Jeff Wentworth (San Antonio)
House Select Committee on Transportation Funding - May 25, 2020
The House Select Committee on Transportation Funding subcommittee on transportation finance heard invited testimony from the Texas Transportation Institute, local tolling entities, and business interests on transportation funding. The committee was particularly interested in partnering agreements with toll entities, the state, and large businesses on to encourage more truck traffic on toll roads. HEB and Wal Mart also testified on the cost of congestion for their businesses and the pass through effect to everyday goods.
House Select Committee on Transportation Funding - May 25, 2010
The House Select Committee on Transportation Funding subcommittee on planning and accountability heard testimony on staffing levels at TxDOT. The Associated General Contractors and Council of Engineering Companies also provided testimony on accountability and transparency in the agency.
Senate Finance and Transportation Committees - May 26, 2010
The Senate Finance and Transportation Committees met in a joint hearing and heard invited testimony on transportation finance. Of note, there was in depth discussion of TxDOT's pass through toll program. Also, there was discussion of the role of the MPO in utilizing land use restrictions to mitigate congestion.
House Select Committee on Transportation Funding - May 3, 2010
The House Select Committee on Transportation Funding subcommittee on transportation finance heard invited and public testimony regarding the need to adequately fund infrastructure. Invited testimony included TxDOT, county judges, and tax collectors/assessors and focused on "the cost of doing nothing." The committee also discussed the current state of the pass though tolling program at TxDOT. The Texas Public Policy Foundation provided public testimony, urging the committee to not consider raising current user fees for transportation but rather fund transportation with more general revenue dollars by cutting other programs.
House Committee on Transportation - April 28, 2010
The House Committee on Transportation heard testimony related to rural transportation needs. While the focus of the hearing was not planned to be funding, the committee spent quite a bit of time discussing the funding shortfall and possible concepts for increasing transportation revenue.
House Select Committee on Transportation Funding - April 27, 2010
The House Select Committee on Transportation Funding subcommittee on planning and accountability heard testimony from TxDOT and local planning organizations about transportation planning processes and the interconnection between planning and funding. Testimony focused on the current lack of funding and its effect on planning processes.
House Select Committee on Transportation Funding - April 7, 2010
The House Select Committee on Transportation Funding met April 7th in Austin. The committee heard invited testimony only. TxDOT, the Comptroller's office, DPS, state demographer, and experts from Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) all testified that transportation funding is in a state of crisis. TxDOT spoke on their planning function and processes as well as their current funding status. Also, some time was spent going over how the motor fuels tax is collected and distributed and an overview of "diversions" - revenue from transportation fees that is not currently directly spent on transportation. TTI discussed the cost of simply doing nothing which dwarfs the cost of adequately investing in our infrastructure. This testimony was well received by the committee - hopefully it will create more fruitful discussion.
TxDOT Commission Hearing - February 25, 2010
In their monthly commission hearing, TxDOT approved the utilization of the State Highway Fund as a "backstop" for the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) on the SH 161 project. NTTA will have to decide whether or not to proceed with the project based on the terms outlined by the Commission.
Texas House of Representatives - February 19, 2010
Speaker Straus announced his creation and appointments to a select committee on transportation funding. Speaker Straus has appointed Representative Larry Phillips (Sherman) and Representative Eddie Rodriguez (Austin) to serve as chair and vice chair respectively of the full committee. The House Select Committee on Transportation Funding will operate as a full committee and will also conduct business in two subcommittees.
Members of the full committee who will serve on the Subcommittee on Funding are Representative Drew Darby (San Angelo), chair of the subcommittee, Representatives Patricia Harless (Spring), Todd Hunter (Corpus Christi), Ruth McClendon (San Antonio), Joe Pickett (El Paso), Eddie Rodriguez (Austin) and Vicki Truitt (Keller).
Members of the full committee who will serve on the Subcommittee on Planning & Accountability are Representative Ryan Guillen (Rio Grande City), chair of the subcommittee, Representatives Roberto Alonzo (Dallas), Bill Callegari (Katy), Edmund Kuempel (Seguin), Armando "Mando" Martinez (Weslaco), Wayne Smith (Baytown) and Senfronia Thompson (Houston).