Transportation

Lawmaker Finds Last-Minute State Funding Mechanism For Roads

Ryan Poppe — Thu, 16 May 2013 22:15:00 +0000

At this point in the legislative calendar many bills are facing a looming demise, but Rep. Drew Darby, R-San Angelo, said he has found another way to get money for transportation needs.

"One of the obvious ways is to take some money in the budget and devote it to our energy related zones that have borne the burden of most of the oil and gas production. They are just simply deteriorating and they’re not safe anymore," Darby said.

Lawmaker Seeking Alternative Path For Immigrant Driver Permit Bill

Ryan Poppe — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:32:32 +0000

At this late stage in the legislative session, most bills that haven't made it out of at least one chamber are left to the wind, but there is still a chance for a bill with bipartisan support that proposes to provide immigrants without legal documentation a driver’s permit.

Rep. Roberto Alonzo, D-Dallas, is carrying the bill, which was authored by Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands.

With Hwy. 281 In Mind, Campbell Bill Aims To Restrict Future State Toll Projects

Ryan Poppe — Wed, 15 May 2013 21:24:37 +0000

The Senate has passed a bill that prohibits the state’s transportation department from turning free roads into toll roads, but the "do-or-die" deadline is approaching fast for it to clear the House in time.

Sen. Donna Campbell, R-New Braunfels, authored Senate Bill 1029, which addresses the conversion of existing state roads into tollways. She said there are several highways throughout the state being eyed for this type of tolling, one of which is Hwy. 281.

Committee Still Debating Spending Issues In State Budget Bill

Ryan Poppe — Tue, 14 May 2013 20:30:20 +0000

Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, a house leader on the Legislative Budget Board, said the joint committee has hit snags in several areas, but has reached a tentative agreement on some key spending issues in regard to Senate Bill 1, the state budget bill.

"Hopefully we will have an agreement sometime today on public education," Pitts said, adding that they were discussing $3.2 billion for public education would be taken from the state general revenue and property tax appraisals.

With Transportation Bill Pulled, Is There Still Hope To Fix Texas Roads?

Ryan Poppe — Fri, 10 May 2013 20:42:12 +0000

The likelihood of fixing Texas roads seems slim as Rep. Drew Darby, R-San Angelo, a leader of transportation in the House, withdrew his bill from the floor.

The bill would have raised the state’s registration fee $50 to help pay for roads, but that was lowered to a $15 increase as the bill was debated.

Local Transportation Service Wins Contract For Pre-K 4 SA

Ryan Loyd — Thu, 09 May 2013 14:35:57 +0000

The Pre-K 4 SA board of directors has chosen its transportation service to take students to and from the model education centers.

Four firms competed for the contract to provide transportation services for San Antonio's Pre-K 4 SA program.

Two of them were national companies - Durham Transportation, and First Student, Inc. One was a small, family-owned Texas company - All Aboard Transportation, based in Tom Bean. The final one hails from San Antonio - Star Shuttle.

Senate Passes Joint Resolution To Use Rainy Day Fund For Water, Roads & Education

Ryan Poppe — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 20:58:21 +0000

A Texas comptroller report has spurned lawmakers to approve a measure that will provide about $6 billion for roads, water and education.

In the report, Comptroller Susan Combs said the last bienum revealed a higher than expected rise in property tax revenues, which the state could use to help fund school districts.

Could A $30 Vehicle Registration Increase Be The Answer To Road Construction?

Ryan Poppe — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 17:12:10 +0000

A bill in the Texas House calls for an increase in vehicle registration fees in order to help fix Texas roads and pay down debt.

Rep. Drew Darby, R- San Angelo, said his bill does away with fund diversions by reallocating the portion of the state’s highway fund that currently goes towards the DMV and DPS and has that money go toward road construction.

Governor Announces Bond Plan To Solve Transportation Problems

Ryan Poppe — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 14:18:48 +0000

During the Texas Lyceum Conference on Transportation Friday, Gov. Rick Perry announced his plan to fix funding issues with transportation costs.

"On every car or truck sold in the state of Texas, we take in sales tax. The amount we take in on those sales is increasing steadily. I propose we dedicate the future growth in sales tax collected on motor vehicles to transportation infrastructure," Perry said.

$6 Billion Of Rainy Day Fund Marked For Water And Roads - Education Left Off

Ryan Poppe — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 21:38:27 +0000

Texas Senate Committee on Finance gave their approval for tapping into the state’s so-called Rainy Day Fund to pay for future water and transportation needs.

Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, authored the bill that doesn’t include any of the money going to education.