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Ft. Worth Star Telegram editorial lays out 3 reasons speed limits should be controlled locally and not by Austin lawmakers:
The ride share issue: accessibility for the disability community
Do local ordinances require accessibility standards? In Austin, TX, yes.
Is it working? Not according to the former chair of Austin’s Capmetro accessibility board
Does Sen. Schwertner’s SB 176 require acessibility? Yes, and a surcharge is levied on companies that do not provide accessible service.
KXAN | Smaller TNCs struggle to fill gap in accessibility after Uber, Lyft leave
The Select Committee on Ports Interim Report recommends a fund to fund port projects, the key points:
Why a fund? Texas ports are “responsible for over 30% of the Texas gross domestic product and are integral to the Texas manufacturing and energy miracle that sustained the Texas economy.”
How would the fund work? Provide loans similar to the Texas Mobility Fund
What’s the fund’s timeline? 2017 should set the parameters. 2019 sets the funding amounts.
State #3 to move toward swapping the gas tax for pay as your drive: Colorado
How is Colorado implementing as pay as you? In December Colorado’s Road Usage Charge Pilot Program will begin with 100 volunteers.
What should I know about the pilot program for pay as your drive ?
Governing | Should a Mileage Tax Replace the Gas Tax? Colorado Is 3rd State to Wonder
Denver Post | CDOT to test taxing drivers by the mile instead of at the pump
Sunset timeline:
24 Sunset staff recommendations:
Require TxDOT to adopt one consistent set of statewide transportation goals, revise its approach to distributing funding to better align with these goals, and better analyze and report on the impact of funding decisions.
Require TxDOT to update its approach to project prioritization, evaluating a project’s strategic need and impact on transportation goals before other factors.
Require TxDOT to streamline and clarify public information requirements relating to its key 10- year planning document and improve the online project tracker system.
Maintain oversight of TxDOT’s delivery of signi cant new funds and progress toward performance- based planning through a joint oversight committee.
Require TxDOT to nalize implementation of its new project portfolio review process and publicly share resulting performance information.
Direct TxDOT to regularly analyze performance and report on its progress addressing several problem areas, including on-time, on-budget construction; right-of-way backlogs; and the Modernize Portfolio and Project Management information technology project.
TxDOT should develop a more risk-based, cross-functional focus to its internal project development activities and improve proactive external stakeholder outreach to avoid con icts with future planned transportation projects.
Require TxDOT to include a range of contract remedies in its traditional low-bid highway contracts and adopt rules to ensure its liquidated damages accurately re ect the cost of project delays.
Require TxDOT to conduct contractor evaluations and consider past performance in determining bid capacity through a process de ned in rule.
Direct TxDOT to develop criteria for applying project incentives such as milestone payments.
Direct TxDOT to provide guidance for district management of construction engineering inspectors, including how to perform sta ng analyses and manage these expanding contracts.
Direct TxDOT to provide additional guidance and training for newly decentralized responsibilities such as managing design-build contracts and certain professional engineering services procurements.
Direct TxDOT to develop a risk-based approach to reviewing and approving contracts.
Direct TxDOT to set more meaningful goals for its business opportunity programs and streamline certi cation to increase participation of businesses eligible for multiple programs.
Direct TxDOT to improve central monitoring and support for its business opportunity programs.
Direct TxDOT to evaluate the small business enterprise program and develop policies and rules to provide meaningful opportunities for small businesses.
Direct TxDOT to centrally coordinate and track results of business process improvement e orts, including the use of private management consultant contracts, and consider implementing a rapid process improvement program similar to the Texas Workforce Commission.
Direct TxDOT to actively and consistently monitor, evaluate, and report district performance. Direct TxDOT to improve communication with and support of the districts.
Require TxDOT to provide the Legislature a thorough range of analyses and options for deciding the future of the state aircraft eet within its long-range eet plan.
Tighten statutory criteria for use of state aircraft, prioritizing cost e ectiveness and need over convenience, and specify state agency heads are responsible for ensuring their employees’ use of state aircraft meets statutory criteria.
Direct TxDOT to adopt a clear internal policy governing the appropriate use of the state aircraft eet by department sta and regularly monitor usage.
Require law enforcement agencies to submit crash reports electronically to TxDOT by September 1, 2019 and eliminate the unnecessary driver crash report requirement.
Continue the Texas Department of Transportation for 12 years.
Update the standard across-the-board requirement related to commission member training. Discontinue two of TxDOT’s reporting requirements and modify four others.
Direct TxDOT to more proactively implement and monitor its e orts to increase workforce diversity.
Add Plano City Council to the supporter list for Texas Central Rail Dallas to Houston high speed rail.
How did Plano City Council express support for high speed rail? By resolution, passing 7 to 1.
What reasons for supporting high speed rail were given by City Council?
+26 House:
+3 Senate:
Why does California’s high speed rail need federal permission to buy a train? Because the Federal Railroad Administration must comply with federal law’s Buy American standard.
Why not buy an American made high speed rail? They don’t exist like the easter bunny or freddy krueger.
The 2017 Maritime Person of the Year is Janiece Longoria, Chair of the Port of Houston Commission.
Longoria’s background:
Under Longoria’s leadership the Port of Houston has:
Business Wire | Janiece Longoria Named 2017 Maritime Person of the Year
Senate Bill 176 by Schwertner follows the trend by Palm Springs, California to require drug testing for drivers.
Dallas Morning News | Texas lawmakers want to settle the fight over regulating Uber, Lyft
November 3, 2016 informed intel:
Palm Springs will be voting to allow ride share at its airport, if and only if, the drivers submit to random drug and alcohol testing.
What does the mayor think? It is “utterly ridiculous”
San Francisco Chronicle | Palm Springs weighs Uber, Lyft pickups, but with drug tests