As private developer Texas Central moves ahead with plans to build what could be the country’s first high-speed rail line, a handful of state lawmakers hope to try next year to give the state more authority over the project. But they admit there may not be the legislative appetite.
Texas Department Of Transportation
Posted inState Government
Hundreds of harassment, discrimination allegations surface against TxDOT
The complaints and lawsuits underscore the agency’s ongoing struggle to address gender and racial disparities — and their side effects — in a culture historically and predominantly composed of white men, especially at its highest echelons.
Posted in
State Government
Texas Transportation Commission member Victor Vandergriff reportedly stepping down
After Tryon Lewis said on Thursday that he’s leaving the five-person board that oversees the Texas Department of Transportation, a Dallas magazine reported Friday that Victor Vandergriff is also planning to leave the commission.
Posted inState Government
Analysis: Texas has more than one problem with government rats
The infestation of Norwegian rats in a state building where health regulators work is not only a big, embarrassing mess — it’s a metaphor for a persistent problem in Texas government.
Posted in
Politics
TxDOT eyeing accounting trick to get around toll road prohibition
A state lawmaker has asked the attorney general to weigh in on whether the state’s transportation agency can use voter-approved funds to rebuild or expand highways that will also include toll lanes alongside them.
Posted in
In Harvey's Wake
Texas officials see long road from Harvey for state transportation network
Hurricane Harvey closed hundreds of roads around Houston and Southeast Texas. Texas transportation officials are only beginning to assess how prolonged flooding has damaged roads and bridges.
Posted in
State Government
Lawmakers resume efforts to provide Texans with toll road relief
Amid debate on a routine measure designed to keep the state’s transportation agency in business, House lawmakers on Tuesday renewed their efforts to curb the growing number of toll lanes in the state.
Posted in
State Government
Analysis: How the Texas House’s slow play could play into Senate’s hands
The House left an important bill in a dangerous spot, lost it, and might have created an advantage for their institutional rivals on the other end of the Texas Capitol.
Posted in
Economy
House proposal could claw back billions Texas voters approved for roads
The Texas House’s chief budget writer filed legislation Friday that would pave the way for lawmakers to claw back billions of dollars that voters approved for state highways, freeing them up for other budget needs.
Posted in
Economy
GOP lawmaker wants Texas law to catch up to driverless cars
State Rep. Charlie Geren filed a bill this week that aims to overcome the car industry opposition that crushed an autonomous vehicle bill two years ago. But he says there’s lots of work left to do on it.
