Special session adjourns

AUSTIN (KXAN) - After two days and two bills - one allowing transportation bonds, and another extending state agencies - the Legislature adjourns their special session.

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst released the following statement upon the conclusion of the two-day special legislative session:

"I'm proud of how quickly and efficiently the Texas Senate came together during this brief special session to pass legislation ensuring the state can issue $2 billion in voter-approved bonds to build roads, and to keep some of our most critical agencies, including the Texas Department of Transportation and the Texas Department of Insurance, open. The Senate also addressed the issue of building toll roads through public-private partnerships, including a handful of specific projects, but determined no legislative action is necessary in this session."

Meanwhile, Governor Rick Perry added:

“I am pleased that lawmakers passed legislation to continue the Texas Department of Transportation, Texas Department of Insurance and three other state agencies, and authorized the issuance of $2 billion in transportation bonds that were approved by Texas voters in 2007.

 

“With more than 1,000 people moving to Texas each day and a growing economy, improving transportation in our state continues to be a top priority of mine. I had hoped to reduce uncertainty regarding several major transportation projects across the state by extending the comprehensive development agreement authority for local and state transportation agencies. Although the CDA bill did not pass, we will continue to work with legislators and local officials to find transportation solutions for our state.”

The Legislature passed a transportation bill allowing TxDOT to borrow $2 billion in bonds, as well as the sunset legislation dealing with the agencies. A bill allowing tolls roads to be privately financed is dead, but lawmakers plan to bring up the issue again in 2011.

On Thursday at 4:49 p.m., both chambers adjourned Sine Die - with no more sessions foreseen until the regular 82nd session in 2011.

Lawmakers unanimously added an amendment to the transportation bill prohibiting the tolling of roads that are currently free - not a new idea in the legislative toll-road debate. Lawmakers also amended the bill to take out the revolving fund and allow TxDOT to loan out $1 billion to private companies for road projects.

According to the amendment the $1 billion should be placed in the state infrastructure bank. Then the cash would only be loaned only to government agencies.

The sunset measure would keep the Texas Department of Insurance, the Texas Racing Commission and three smaller agencies from closing under the Texas sunset law. It requires state agencies are reviewed every dozen years and they can continue only if they Legislature votes to keep them operating.

“It is important we keep these agencies operating,” said Representative Carl Isett (R), Sunset Committee Chair.

Isett is responsible for House Bill 2, the Sunset rescheduling bill that is one of three issues on Gov. Rick Perry's call for the 81st Legislative Special Session.

With Appropriations Committee Chair Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, and House Transportation Committee Chair Joe Pickett, D-El Paso, Isett led an information session for House members on Tuesday. Without action by lawmakers now, those agencies would shut their doors in September of 2010.

Transportation-bond legislation is also expected to go through as early as Thursday.

Voters in 2007 had authorized TxDOT to issue up to $5 billion in bonds. Bill 1 would allow the state to borrow the first $2 billion and use half on a fund to loan money to local governments for transportation projects.
TxDOT would spend the other $1 billion on transportation projects.

“The federal government continues to cut funds,” said Isett. “So we need to continue funding these construction projects.”

A third bill, regarding whether toll roads should be privately financed, is not getting the votes needed to pass and is likely to die. 

The chambers gaveled in the special session on Wednesday morning.