July - 2017

Decaying infrastructure taking a toll on America

America's infrastructure is in a state of crisis. Roads and train lines are old, dangerous and cost the country billions of dollars in economic growth. Trump wants to repair damages but he is at the mercy of investors. The summer of hell began for New Yorkers last Monday. Beginning at four o'clock in the afternoon people hurried home from work, clogging midtown Manhattan's Pennsylvania Station. Over 600,000 people trek to Manhattan daily from faraway places like New Jersey an

Ideas Floated To Improve TIFIA Loan Program

As the Trump administration continues to work on its promised $1-trillion infrastructure investment plan, it is expected to recommend increasing funds for the long-standing federal Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program, which provides low-interest loans to help finance a range of transportation projects. TIFIA loan recipients testifying at a recent Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing on the program said the loans have been

Elaine Chao boosts Trump plan for revamping transportation

The Republican and wife of GOP Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell spoke to a lunch crowd Friday at the Brown Hotel in Louisville organized by Greater Louisville Inc., the metro chamber of commerce. She altered her prepared remarks on recent initiatives at the agency to mention that McConnell was expected back in Kentucky — but his flight was delayed. Chao delivered a rundown on Trump's plans to sharply cut the federal government's funding for rebuilding bridges, roads, an

What Infrastructure Needs: Smart Permitting

The Trump administration has begun to lay out its infrastructure rebuilding strategy, and it is increasingly clear that a cornerstone involves private-sector funding through public-private partnerships (P3s). The administration knows that the only way to succeed is by overcoming private-sector concerns about federal permitting delays. That’s why the president and senior officials have gone out of their way to stress that this administration’s permit approvals will come faster

LAW: House panel approves transportation funding cuts

A House panel approved legislation on Tuesday evening that would cut funding for the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) by over half a billion dollars. The House Appropriations subcommittee on transportation, housing and urban development advanced a spending bill to provide $17.8 billion in discretionary funding for the U.S. DOT in the fiscal year 2018. That figure is $646 million less than current levels—a 3.7% decrease—but is $1.5 billion more than what President

AASHTO Calls for ‘Simpler, More Reliable’ USDOT Process to Spur Use of TIFIA Project Loans

The group that represents state departments of transportation wants to see the USDOT increase the federal share of financing projects under TIFIA, the department's main infrastructure loan program, and "develop a simpler, faster and more reliable application process." The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials made the comments in written testimony to the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee for a July 12 hearing on TIFIA and innov

Astonishing time-lapse footage shows how China pieces together its high-speed railways using 'Th

Astounding footage has captured how China builds its high-speed railways ahead of a planned multi-billion pound expansion. A video of China Railway Corporation's impressive bridge building machine - known as SL900/32 or 'The Iron Monster' - shows how giant concrete girders are pieced together to speed up construction. Footage shows how the 580-tonne mega machine, which is able to wheel back and forth on bridges, holds concrete in place as an army of engineers frantically work

Special Session Proclamation For Sunset Legislation

TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME: WHEREAS, the legislature adjourned its 85th regular session without extending the existence of the Texas Medical Board, the Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists, the Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists, the Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors, and the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners; and WHEREAS, without legislative action, these five agencies will be abolished

Office of the Texas Governor: Supplemental Call

NOTICE: This document is an unsigned working draft. It is being released for informational and discussion purposes only. It is subject to change. It has no legal effect. TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE EIGHTY-FIFTH TEXAS LEGISLATURE, FIRST CALLED SESSION: WHEREAS, the people of Texas have placed the constitutional power to call the legislature into special sessions in the hands of the governor; and WHEREAS, the members of the 85th Legislature, first called s

New Amtrak CEO has Texas ties, but can he save state’s Eagle route?

Amtrak’s incoming boss has Texas ties, but can he save long-distance passenger rail service in the state? Richard Anderson, 62, a veteran airline executive who most recently ran Delta Air Lines, will take the helm of Amtrak — the nation’s only coast-to-coast passenger rail service — on July 12. He arrives at a time when its long-distance trains are once again on the proverbial chopping block. This spring, the Trump administration unveiled a proposed budget that boasted a $1 t