Report says agency needs big changes

June 3, 2008

The Associated Press

AUSTIN — Big changes are needed to restore trust in the Texas Department of Transportation, including a revamp of its governing board and its dealings with lawmakers and the public, the state Sunset Advisory Commission staff said in a report Tuesday.

The stinging report comes in the wake of controversy over planned public-private toll road partnerships, the route of the proposed Trans-Texas Corridor superhighway and questions concerning agency funding figures.

The report says "tweaking the status quo is simply not enough."

The Sunset Advisory Commission periodically reviews government agencies to determine whether they should continue to exist and makes recommendations for improvements.

The review "occurred against a backdrop of distrust and frustration with the Department and the demand for more transparency, accountability, and responsiveness," the report says. "Many expressed concerns that TxDOT was 'out of control,' advancing its own agenda against objections of both the Legislature and the public."

The Houston Chronicle obtained a copy of the report Monday.

Proposed changes for the department will be considered by the Legislature when it meets in 2009.

The sunset staff recommended replacing the five-member commission that oversees the transportation agency with a single commissioner who would have a two-year term rather than the current six-year term. The shorter term would put the required confirmation before the Senate more often, giving lawmakers more oversight.

The commissioner, however, still would be appointed by the governor, leaving room for concern by opponents of the transportation department's policies. Some opponents of those policies would prefer an elected commissioner or commissioners.

"The most important thing is that they're elected positions," said Sal Costello of TexasTollParty.com. "It gets right down to who's accountable."

Other proposed changes include increasing legislative oversight through a new House-Senate committee; making transportation planning and project development more open and easily understood; enhancing public involvement; and improving contract management.

"The confidence of the Legislature and the public are very important to us," said Chris Lippincott, spokesman for the Texas Department of Transportation. "We still have work to do, but we are confident that our ongoing efforts to improve the transparency and accessibility of TxDOT are making a positive impact."