Category Archives: legislative trend

Attorney General Opinion: Design-Build. TXDOT Options. Appropriations Rider Fail.

In Attorney General Opinion KP-0077, the question being answered is: Does TXDOT have authority to neter into design-build contracts for 2016-2017?

How did the question arise? A conflict between the appropriations bill & Section 223.242, Transportation Code.

The Attorney General’s conclusion: Yes, TXDOT can enter into design build contracts, with limits.

What limits does the Attorney General note on TXDOT’s design-build authority?

  • Design Build only OK for contracts over $150…

INTERIM. Legal Trend: Sharing Economy. Court Says Drivers are Independent Contractors

This week’s settlement of lawsuits in California and Massachusettes maintains the indepdent contractor status of Uber drivers. 

Court sign off will occur when the judge approves the settlement.

KOLO | Uber settlement keeps drivers as contractors in 2 states

The Recorder | Uber Strikes Expensive Peace Pact With Drivers

INTERIM. TREND: Statewide CyberSecurity Ecosystems for States. Transportation Included. Get Up to Speed in 1, 2, 3…

What group is calling for improved state data security systems? National Association of State Chief Information Officers

What sparked the call to arms? the cost of cyber crime world wide is $375 billion to $575 billion, which is labled a threat to democracy

What do the NASCIO propose states do? Create statewide cybersecurity ecosystem 

What would a statewide cybersecurity ecosystem link? 

  • state government

  • local government

  • federal government

  • higher…

Lege Trend: Golden State To Tighten High Speed Rail Oversight

What part of high speed rail is the California Legislature looking to reign in? More oversight for the high speed rail project

What sparked this change? Bipartisan concerns over high speed rail after a  report by the Legislative Analyst’s Office that triggered  questions about the project’s cost, schedule and scope.

What will California’s AB 2847 do?

  • Planning Disclosures. Require the rail authority to provide detailed cost, schedule and scope information about each segment  of…

Why 1 State will Stop Giving Cities Transportation Funding

Which state has been divying up federal transportation dollars with cities? Missouri

Which federal funds will stop being handed over to cities?

  •  a small urban surface transportation program for Missouri’s smaller cities
  • a bridge replacement and improvement program aimed at larger urban areas

Why will Missouri tighten the reigns on these federal funds? Missouri is under no legal obligation to divy up the federal funds to cities

Governing | Missouri May Hold On to Transportation Money…

INTERIM. Sharing Economy. City to Require Business License from Ride Share Drivers. Key Intel.

Which city will require a local business license for ride share drivers? San Francisco

How were drivers alerted of this new city regulation?  With notification by letter to all 37,018 drivers

What revenue will be generated? $3.37 million a year

Can drivers operate without a license? If and only if the driver works less than 7 days. 

How much does the license cost? $91 if the driver makes less than $100,000/year

AutoBlog | Uber and Lyft drivers need to obtain business licenses…

INTERIM. Sharing Economy. 5 Statistics about Taxi Use Decline.

  • Since ride share began in L.A. pre-arranged taxi rides fell 42%
  • Since ride share, the total number of L.A. taxi rides have fallen 30%
  • The impact of ride share is felt most by taxi service in tourist and nightlife areas
  • In San Francisco, the number of trips taken by taxi is down 2/3 in 2 years
  • The downturn in taxi use has hit taxi drivers most.
    • Taxi Drivers take home $400-$500 per week. 
    • Down from $800 a couple years ago

The decline in taxi ridership in Los Angeles mirrors trends in…

Transportation Funding Allocation in a Southern State. 4 Key Informed Intel.

Which state passed a new trasnportation funding formula? Alabama

How will Alabama be alocating tranportation dollars?

  • New tax revenues will be allocated equally to all counties
  • The first $500,000 per county is specifically designated as bridge and road dollars

What is the goal?

  • Spread transportation dollars more equally throughout the state
  • Not only allocate trasnportation funding to large projects

What new funding is involved? A 6 cent increase in the gas & diesel taxes

Alabama SB…

5 Ways Houston Port Growth Impacts Texas infrastructure

Does increased Port of Houston traffic only translate to more cargo ships?  No, it also means:

  • strains on local roads with large trucks transporting cargo goods
  • strains on railroad infrastructure as railroads transport cargo goods
  • port channel dredging
  • maintaining sturdy docks
  • Port Infrastructure

What part of the country does the Port of Houston serve? The goal is to make the Port of Houston  “the distribution hub for the central U.S., from the Rocky Mountains to the Mississippi…