November - 2016

Archive

Let's Work Together to Prevent Buzzed Driving! Join us on Twitter December 7th!

Saving Lives - One Tweet at a Time Every 51 minutes in America, someone is killed in a drunk driving crash. And for every preventable drunk driving death — 10,265 in 2015 alone —exponentially more lives are forever changed by the loss of a parent, child, friend, or loved one. But on December 7, as families across America are preparing for the holidays, a single tweet could help save a life. That's because NHTSA is hosting a Twitter chat from 3 - 4 p.m. ET to provide stats and

Texas Senate rolls out details of new push for property tax caps

“People are crying out for relief,” said Sen. Bettencourt, who pegged relief under his proposal at $30 to $200 per year for average homeowners; cities fire back that lawmakers should be looking at school finance first. The Texas Senate is taking its strongest run yet at revenue caps next session, putting it at the top of the legislative agenda with a bill co-sponsored by key Senate Republican. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick couldn’t signal any more strongly he intends to make property

Texas highways in line for funding boost as panel sets minimum for state's rainy day stash

AUSTIN — A specially created legislative panel on Wednesday approved a minimum for state savings that is likely to free up hundreds of millions over the next two years to help relieve congestion on Texas highways. Since voters approved a constitutional amendment two years ago, money in the state's rainy day fund that exceeds what the panel deems a "sufficient balance" is no longer roped off. The rainy day dollars, almost entirely derived from oil and gas production taxes, can

More LNG exports possible from U.S. ports

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- Sempra Energy said it filed the necessary paperwork to hasten the development of a port in Texas that could export liquefied natural gas, seen as a strategic asset. Sempra, which has its headquarters in San Diego, filed applications with the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for exports and construction of the proposed Port Arthur LNG plant in southeast Texas. "Our experience in developing, building and operating energy infrastructure will

USDOT receives 10th consecutive clean audit from independent reviewers

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has received its 10th consecutive clean, also known as unmodified, audit from independent auditors. The Office of the Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs released the details in the FY 2016 Agency Financial Report (AFR). “Our nation continues to face a critical transportation infrastructure deficit, and it is essential that we get the most out of every dollar,” says Transportation Sec. Anthony F

Texas 161 to Be Widened From 4 to 8 Lanes

StartFragment $84 million project would begin in 2018 The Texas Department of Transportation is gearing up for a major expansion of Texas 161 in Irving. The Texas Department of Transportation is planning a major expansion to Texas 161 in Irving that would double the total number of lanes from four to eight in the area immediately south and north of Texas 183. The additional lanes would be added within the framework of the existing highway, meaning no there would be a minimal

Bush Cabinet member Elaine Chao is Trump's choice for transportation secretary

NEW YORK — President-elect Donald Trump has picked Elaine Chao to become transportation secretary, a Trump transition official said Tuesday. The announcement was expected later in the day, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly. Chao, 63, was labor secretary under President George W. Bush and the first Asian-American woman to serve in a president's Cabinet. She also is the wife of Senate Majority Leader M

What Happens When All of TxDOT's Dreams Come True?

By Ben Wear - Austin American-Statesman Staff Highlights A new Sunset Commission report says that the agency might not be fully ready for a coming boost in funding. The report says TxDOT needs to make its road project selection process more objective and transparent. And it gigs the agency for bidding and construction that result in projects being late and overbudget. Admit it, you’ve had the lottery daydream. What if, you think to yourself, I bought a ticket or two or 10, an

Transportation Ballot Measure Database Now Available!

Eno Center for Transportation Releases Comprehensive Database of Transportation Ballot Measures WASHINGTON – This November, the power of the state and local governments in the American electoral process will be forcefully demonstrated. In addition to the presidential drama, another election story, with dramatic lessons about state and local influence, will play out as Americans in nearly half of the 50 states vote on hundreds of measures and initiatives that would support a

BTS Releases Industry Snapshots

The Wholesale and Retail Trade sector relied on the most transportation services of any sector of the U.S. economy, according to Industry Snapshots: Uses of Transportation, a new report released today by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) (Table 1, Figure 1). In 2014, the seven non-transportation sectors of the economy relied on more than $1 trillion in transportation services. The Wholesale and Retail Sector used $292 billion, m