Texas House challenges TxDOT behavior

TxDOT has “lost confidence”

Steve Hawley, Mar 04, 09.

The Texas House of Representatives today considered a resolution chastising the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for its handling of the federal stimulus process, according to the Austin American Statesman and the Houston Chronicle.

The resolution, introduced by Rep. Garnet Coleman of Houston, was eventually withdrawn. According to the Chronicle, “All 150 House members are ‘upset with the way TxDOT has run its business - not only over the last few days but for many years,’ Rep. Jim Keffer, R-Eastland, said.” The article continues, “No one objected to the resolution, although some members thought some of the language was inflammatory and some wanted more time. Coleman said there were more than enough votes to pass the resolution, but he withdrew it before it came down to that.”

In particular, representatives of both parties were upset that TxDOT had a hard time explaining its prioritization process for the $500 million in maintenance and repair projects the agency approved last Thursday.

According to the Statesman, the resolution concluded, “The failure of the commission and the department to conduct the people’s business in a fair, open, and accountable manner has lost them the confidence of the House and of the people of Texas.” The Chronicle notes that the legislature may write new laws regarding TxDOT later in the session as part of the Sunset review process.

Sunset Commission report on TxDOT (pdf)