CorridorWatch Comments on Sunset Report

The staff report on the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is well worth a small celebration!

The Commission staff has done an outstanding job in recognizing the need to restore transparency and accountability to what was once was a great agency.  

Make no mistake, TxDOT did not self-destruct, they had lots of direction and encouragement that led them to where they are today. Instead of providing the supervision and leadership necessary to ensure the proper function of this agency, their own Transportation Commission created the current climate of hostility and distrust.

Today's report is the first step in a process that can help restore TxDOT as a responsible public agency. The recommendations contained in the report will require legislative support and action. Some may even require amendment of our state Constitution, which means public support at the ballot box.

None of this will come easy. Be assured that the Governor and those who are benefiting from the drive for privatization, asset monetization, toll profiteering, and financially engineered highway projects will fight against these important reforms.

The progress we have made is truly incredible. Together we have successfully exposed many of the issues now being addressed by the Sunset Commission. If we all stay engaged and involved we can ensure that meaningful reforms are instituted. Those reforms can provide all Texans with a window on what TxDOT is doing while also providing the opportunity to participate in the process and shape the future of transportation, including the fate of the Trans Texas Corridor.

Just yesterday we wrote, "Our goal is to ensure that Texans can have improved, safe and reliable transportation systems that are developed through a transparent process and managed in a way that is accountable to the citizens and taxpayers." Today that promise is significantly closer to becoming reality.  

CorridorWatch.org will review this report in detail and provide comments to our members and the Sunset Commission.

The key issues we will focus on include:

• The future composition of the Texas Transportation
  Commission or replacement by a Transportation Commissioner.

• Establishment of a Transportation Legislative Oversight Committee.

• Transportation legislative oversight of TxDOT's research program, including individual research projects and activities.

• The direct funding of the Texas Transportation Institute to conduct transportation research previously contracted through TxDOT.

• TxDOT sunset review repeated in four years.

• Requiring TxDOT to redevelop and regularly update the long-range Statewide Transportation Plan describing total system needs, establishing overarching statewide transportation goals.

• Establishment of a transparent, well-defined, and understandable system of project programming.

• Requiring TxDOT to work with transportation partners and policymakers.

• Requiring TxDOT to establish, and provide funding and support for, transportation planning in rural areas of the state.

• Requiring TxDOT to develop and implement a public involvement policy that guides and encourages more meaningful public involvement efforts agency-wide.

• Requiring TxDOT to establish an external process for reviewing comprehensive development agreements.