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April 22, 2008 | NO COMMENTS | TAGGED AS:
Networking the key to Transportation Forum
Talking to those who attended the Third Annual Texas Transportation Forum April 20-22, the opportunity to network with transportation officials, private-sector representatives, and lawmakers was worth the time spent in Austin. Most everyone I talked to said the message that we have a funding problem concerning transportation has been clearly stated. The issue now is what to do about it. But the networking opportunites were very worthwhile.
Matt Mohr, president of Thompson Marketing - "The opportunity to get first-hand insights on transportation issues is invaluable. The networking opportunities were worth the price of admission."
Barbara Seal, TxDOT Childress District public information officer - "Networking with my peers and with others I met for the first time was the most valuable aspect of the conference for me. I learned a great deal talking one-on-one with some very talented and dedicated people."
Joe Jaymes, Collin County commissioner - "The networking with other local officials and TxDOT representatives gave me an idea of what may be coming the next legislative session. It's clear from talking to others here that there is a funding problem with transportation, but where do we go from here? I got valuable insight from most everyone I talked to."
Patrick Driscoll, San Antonio Express News transportation reporter - "I got at least one story and a few blog issues out of my visit here. The public's awareness to transportion issues has been raised, and I look forward to a vigorous debate in the coming year as to what will be done about transportation challenges. This will be an important chapter in the future of transaportation in Texas."
All four said they were looking forward to hearing what Texas Governor Rick Perry has to say at the closing lunch later today.
April 22, 2008 | NO COMMENTS | TAGGED AS:
Federal Transportation Bill - It's so easy, even Congress can do it!
With his prepared remarks discarded, Congressman John Mica (R-FL), the ranking membert of the House Transportation Committee, went off the cuff last night to discuss what Congress must do to get a new transportation bill done in the next 18 months. At the Third Annual Transportation Forum's dinner gathering in Austin, TX, Mica said the country needs $1.5 trillion just to maintain current transportation assets. He also said the way to get there is by doing what small businesses and families have been doing all along...make a financial plan and stick to it!
The first step, Mica said, is to develop a blueprint for national priorities. Next, a policy must be set to achieve that blueprint, and then a plan created to finance the blueprint. He said gas taxes will only supply 1/3 of the $1.5 trillion. The rest must be raised through alternative financing plans and public-private partnerships. The congressman added a big part of the plan is to reduce the federal red tape that drives construction costs higher but slows down projects, while maintaining environmental safeguards.
TxDOT is well ahead of the game. The Texas Transpoprtation Commission has directed the agency's administrative team to implement alternative financing plans approved by the legislature, such as pass-through financing. TxDOT has also started funding projects through public-private paretnerships, although that concept will get a closer look in the 2009 legislative session.
Is it really that simple?
April 21, 2008 | 2 COMMENTS | TAGGED AS: congressfundinggas taxroadwaystoll roads
Transportation Forum Opening Day
Hello blog readers. I'm Paul Braun, the public information officer for the Amarillo District of TxDOT. I'll be blogging from this year's Transportation Forum, so feel free to weigh in with your comments about what we are presenting on this blog.
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| Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson |
The Third Annual Transportation Forum opened with a call to arms (so to speak) for Texas to continue to improve existing roadways and to find ways to fund new roadways. Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson of the 30th Congressional District in Texas told forum attendees this morning that Texas faces the greatest transportation challenges in the nation because we have the greatest need due to population growth. She reaffirmed the position of the late TxDOT Commission Chairman Ric Williamson that Texas needs toll roads as a way to build new roadways and raise additional funds to maintain current roads and bridges.
Congresswoman Johnson also says an increase in the federal gasoline tax may be one way to keep up with the rising costs of construction materials, while maintaining existing roadways, and that an increase may be part of a new federal transportation authorization bill. Her positions seem to mirror those of our Transportation Commission and our TxDOT administration in Austin.
How do you feel? Are toll roads and increased gas taxes the answer to our funding challenges? Your thoughts are welcome.
January 29, 2008 | NO COMMENTS | TAGGED AS:
What about MARKET VALUE?
About MARKET VALUE
Many people at several of the recent TxDOT “town hall” meetings had questions about the meaning of market value.
Here’s what we know:
The Texas Constitution permits the purchase of private property for public use. The Texas Constitution entitles the owner to adequate compensation, based on market value, and that it shall be by the due course of the law of the land. The Texas Legislature has prescribed the judicial procedure to be followed when private property is taken for public purpose.
The process can be lengthy and is designed to protect the interests of the owner.
Land that is needed for highway purposes is appraised to establish with reasonable certainty the amount of money the property owner is is entitled to receive. While property owners should receive all the money they are entitled to receive, the State should not pay more than it is obligated to pay under the law.
The generally accepted opinion of market value as defined by the courts of Texas may be stated this way:
“Market value is the price which the property would bring when it is offered for sale by one who desires, but is not obliged to sell, and is bought by one who is under no necessity of buying it, taking into consideration all of the uses to which it is reasonably adaptable and for which it either is or in all reasonable probability will become available within the reasonable future.”
This definition of market value is based on both the buyer and seller being willing, but not obligated to buy or sell. While this is not always the situation in right-of-way transactions, the courts have stated that this must be assumed in making right-of-way appraisals. An appraisal made on any other assumption will not be correct.
TxDOT contracts with independent fee appraisers who usually conduct the needed appraisals. TxDOT employees do not conduct appraisals. These appraisers base their opinions of market value on data researched in the subject neighborhood, and near the property that is proposed for acquisition.
October 16, 2007 | NO COMMENTS | TAGGED AS:
Where are all these people going?
Michael Cline of the Institute for Demographic and Socioeconomic Research, University of Texas at San Antonio, reviews the special challenges presented by the growing population in Texas. What's your take on this problem that grows larger every day. Any fixes you would offer? Tell us your ideas.
October 16, 2007 | 1 COMMENT | TAGGED AS:
Comments on Toll Roads
A three man panel is scheduled to review "the continuing debate over private vs. publicly developed toll roads." The session is schedule from 8:30 to 9:30 - first thing Wednesday morning. Do you plan to attend? Any comments you like to offer about this debate?
October 16, 2007 | NO COMMENTS | TAGGED AS:
Legislative Update
Coby Chase, Director of TxDOT's Government and Public Affairs Division, summarized the impact of recent federal and state legislation on TxDOT. What message did you take home? Agree? Disagree? Tell us about it.
October 16, 2007 | NO COMMENTS | TAGGED AS:
Planning for Future
Dr. Peter Bishop of the University of Houston talks about planning for the future. Room was packed. Session went overtime! Where you there? What one or two things stood out in your mind to share with folks who couldn't make that session. Tell us about it.
October 15, 2007 | 2 COMMENTS | TAGGED AS:
TxDOT Retirees honored at Short Course 2007
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| TxDOT, Kevin Stillman |
October 15, 2007 | 1 COMMENT | TAGGED AS:
Prelude to Short Course 2007
As prelude to the 2007 Transportation Short Course at Texas A&M University, TxDOT folks gathered on Monday, Oct. 15, at the Hilton in College Station for the quarterly D/D/O meeting. As in years past, highlights included the presentation of awards and other recognitions. They came; they saw; they recieved their plaques and had their pictures taken for posterity. Here is a selection of images of the award winners with TxDOT Executive Director Amadeo Saenz, P.E.
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| TxDOT, Kevin Stillman |
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| TxDOT, Kevin Stillman |
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| TxDOT, Kevin Stillman |
