Transportation Commission holds off on funding vote
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The original list of proposed projects totaled approximately $13 million, which TxDOT and local officials have been working on since last year. Prior to the committee hearings this week, they were able to pare that figure down to approximately $2.2 billion from projects that met the funding criteria. It was the intent of the Commission to whittle that list down to near the $1.5 billion in available funds when they met Thursday.
However, it quickly became apparent during hearings of the House Transportation Committee and the House Select Committee on Federal Economic Stabilization Funding that lawmakers wanted more time to view the projects proposed for funding and to have input on the selection process.
After grilling TxDOT Executive Director Amadeo Saenz regarding how the list came about, Rep. Jim Dunnam, chair of the Select Committee, noted, "The only thing this committee is trying to accomplish is to make sure that members on the House floor - when they wake up Friday - they don't wake up and say TxDOT just obligated all the (stimulus) money and I didn't know it."
Dunnam said prioritizing the projects "should be a conscious, informed decision that the legislators have input on - even if we're not going to make the decision."
TxDOT officials and Delisi faced the same questions in the House Transportation Committee hearing the next day. Committee Chair Rep. Joe Pickett questioned why TxDOT felt the need for the Commission to move so quickly on allocating the funds.
"All we've heard is hurry, hurry, hurry," said Picket. "There is a concern that when you do things real, real quick, you tend to make some mistakes."
In addition to the $1.5 billion for transportation projects, the stimulus bill includes an additional $500 million in funding to be shared by the state's 25 Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs). Barton said the state's eight metro-area MPOs would share in approximately $394 million while the smaller MPOs would share $106 million. He also indicated that some of the MPOs may seek to work with TxDOT to try to blend their dollars and "parlay that into something of much greater value."
Saenz said what it all boils down to is that the state will start with a transportation allocation of $2.25 billion. Of that amount, the Commission selects $1.7 billion in projects, the MPOs share $500 million and the Commission can selected enhancement projects totaling up to $67.5 million, such as for hike and bike trails.
Other funding in the bill includes $372 million for Texas transit projects. There will also be a pool of money for aviation projects, although the amount for those projects that will head to Texas has not yet been determined.
There also remains a discretionary fund for a grant program through the office of the U.S. Transportation Secretary. The rules and criteria for applying for part of that $1.5 billion in discretionary funds should be promulgated within the next 90 days, said TxDOT officials.
Barton said these discretionary funds include up to $300 million per state for projects between $20 million and $300 million. He said TxDOT will work with local communities on these projects "to ensure Texas gets $300 million - no less."
"We are fully committed to a transparent process going forward," said Delisi, as the Commission prepares to next week obligate funding for highway projects.
