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Our own Mel Borel attended the meeting along with several other TURF supporters and does a great job during the interview! Thanks Mel!
Lawmakers want outside review, one
commissioner
Last Edited: Tuesday, 16 Dec 2008, 8:16 PM CST
Created On: Tuesday, 16 Dec 2008, 4:56 PM CST
“It’s an agency operating like it is in the 1920s,” said Chair Rep. Carl Isett (R-Lubbock).
The Sunset staff made several key recommendations for the agency. They want a Legislative Oversight Committee to be appointed to oversee the agency both when the legislature is in and out of session. They also want more transparency within TxDOT as well as restrictions on TxDOT’s lobbying capabilities. The aim is restore the public’s faith in a state agency that has come under fire for tollroads, various road projects and discrepancies in the budget.
“They’ve had free rein to do whatever they want to do,” said anti-tollroad activist Mel Borel. “They have abused legislation made years ago and imposed projects on the people of Texas.”
When asked if TxDOT agreed with an oversight committee being appointed to oversee the agency, the spokesperson said they would follow whatever the legislature wanted.
“We look forward to working with the Legislature to implement policies they create,” said Chris Lippincott.
The buck has to stop somewhere. For too long TEX DOT has been run as a fiefdom of the gov and has run roughshod on we the people. FInally our loud voices are being heard. TEX DOT should not be allowed to lobby and it must answer to WE THE PEOPLE