COVERITLIVE.COM

2:24

Michael Lindenberger/DMN - Welcome to your live coverage of the Texas House debate on the future of Texas Department of Transportation. Settle in and grab a cup of coffee: we'll be here a while.

The debate was scheduled to begin at 2 p..m., but apparently the clerks are still making copies of the 162 amendments filed for the bill, which is HB 300. We'll get started soon.

If you aren't watching live, you can do so by clicking here.

Meanwhile, keep this is mind: Whatever happens today, it ain't over till it's over. And that means the House will have its say today, and then the will get its say. And then the House will have another chance to argue with what the Senate has done. And by then, time will be tight.

So jump right in and tell us what you think.

3:36	[Comment From Guest] A suburban safety official emailed me that 14 sunset amendments woudl either outlaw or severely restrict red-light cameras. Police are concerned, since these cameras have saved lives and injuries. Based on the statistics I've seen, these are awful amendments.

3:51

Michael Lindenberger/DMN - The comment above, about red light cameras, comes from Rodger Jones, our editorial writer here at The News. I think he hits on something important -- the Sunset Bill, as complicated as it already was, is going to be a vehicle for dozens of other ambitions.

Texas Transportation Commission chairperson Deirdre Delisis said as much last week, when she the reform bill will turn out being a "Christmas tree." With 162+ amendments -- 14 of which apparently deal with red light cameras -- that's a conclusion it's hard to argue with.

3:59	[Comment From Guest] Red light cameras are nothing but revenue generators. Traffic engineering can correct most red light running issues

4:00	[Comment From guest] any company that has $1 billion in funding swings would have staff layoffs or comensurate hirings. TxDOT did not lay off in the downturn, did not contract out for help when they received over a billion in ARRA funds. that's a huge concern

4:00	[Comment From James] I have heard that they are trying to take the Quality Based Selection process out and replace it with going with the lowest fee for professional services. This will endanger the public in my opinion.

4:02	Michael Lindenberger/DMN - Thanks for the comments. We're still waiting for the debate to begin. Right now, the House is in the middle of a testy debate about expanding kindergarten.

4:09	[Comment From steve] Where can I go to view the hearings?

4:10	Michael Lindenberger/DMN - You can follow the hearings by clicking here. http://www.house.state.tx.us/fx/av/live/extlive80kchamber.ram

4:11	Michael Lindenberger/DMN - Not hearings, I should add. It's a House floor debate, and should begin any minute.

4:12	[Comment From steve] Thx.

4:32	Michael Lindenberger/DMN - The debate has begun.

4:37	Michael Lindenberger/DMN - Rep. Isett is laying out the bill, and soon transportation chairman Joe Pickett and Rep. Linda Harper-Brown will soon offer more details. The drama may come as the amendments are considered.

4:40

Michael Lindenberger/DMN - Pickett -- "Thank you for the amendments you have filed. .... There are virtually very very few amendments that have to do with the core of this bill."

We want you, he says to members, to tell us what you want, and we'll work with you to get your amendments to stay on the bill ... "The bill now belongs to you," he tells House members. "We'll try to help."

4:40	Michael Lindenberger/DMN - Now, Harper-Brown: We started this, she said, with a great deal of mistrust.

4:50

Michael Lindenberger/DMN - Rep. Ruth McClendon offers amendment one -- and wants to abolish the Texas Transportation Commission. In its place would be an elected transportation commissioner.

The commissioner would be elected every four years. The Sunset Advisory Commission had recommended that the five commissioners be replaced by a single one, but stopped short making it an elected position.

4:53	[Comment From Joe] 162 amendments from a legislature of 181 members. Sigh

4:55	Michael Lindenberger/DMN - McClendon says without a single, elected commissioner, there is no way to know "where the bucks stops" with the transportation.

5:00

Michael Lindenberger/DMN - Listening to the debate, a thought occurs: Does it really make sense to put into one person's portfolio the power to distribute billions of dollars in highway project funding? That's what would happen if the commissioners were replaced by a single elected commissioner. Thoughts?

5:05	Michael Lindenberger/DMN - Would an elected commissioner give too much power to the big cities? Or, as McClendon says, would the candidate-commissioner campaign throughout the state?

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