Yesterday, I gave you a quick rundown of the more than 100 bills affecting transportation that are already filed in the Texas Legislature. Today, let’s look at what coming up this week. Biennial Revenue Estimate Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar is scheduled to release his estimate of the state’s revenues at 10 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 9. The […]
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As 85th Regular Session begins, 100-plus proposed bills would affect transportation in Texas
The gavels come down to mark the start of the 85th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, on January 10. The Texas Constitution allows legislators already sworn in to file legislation 60 days before the start of the session, and that legislation has been accumulating in anticipation of opening day. As of January 4, more than 100 […]
For Texans, some transportation attitudes and behaviors have changed since 2014 (and some haven’t)
The 2016 Texas Transportation Poll (TTP) contains a wealth of information about Texans’ attitudes about transportation, and for the first time we can begin to see how those attitudes and behaviors are changing. The 2016 findings offer both consistencies and contrasts to the inaugural poll, which was fielded in 2014. The data from both polls […]
If Texas exports are growing, so is the rest of the economy
It’s only natural that most of us wouldn’t typically give a second thought to the almost countless trucks, trains, and ships moving goods from day to day. But we should. Because a lot of what they’re hauling is on its way to markets far from Texas. And what we export (and how much) matters a […]
We’re asking 5,000 Texans about our transportation system; they’re letting us know what they think
In one way or another, the transportation system in Texas serves practically all of the more than 27 million people who live in the state, every day. Any time you’re planning, financing, building, and managing something that big, it can be really worthwhile to understand what’s on the minds of those who use it. That’s […]
Should we move more oil and gas freight by other modes to reduce the strain on our road system?
A decade ago, rising oil prices and advanced production techniques began to drive a rapid increase in drilling activity in Texas. That resulted in many rural roadways in energy-rich regions sustaining considerable damage due to heavy truck traffic, running up hefty maintenance expenses and compromising safety. As quickly as they could, state leaders and voters […]