TRANSPORTATION ISSUES FOCUS OF SENATE COMMITTEE HEARING

CORPUS CHRISTI - The Senate Interim Committee on Transportation held a public hearing in Corpus Christi on Wednesday, June 3, to gather testimony relating to the interim research topics assigned to them by Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock. The members are responsible for reviewing the way state and county transportation projects are financed and whether current plans are adequate to meet the traffic and trade demands of Texas' growing population.

The committee is chaired by Senator Ken Armbrister of Victoria and includes as members Senators David Cain of Dallas, Troy Fraser of Horseshoe Bay, Mario Gallegos of Houston, Drew Nixon of Carthage, Carlos F. Truan of Corpus Christi, and Bill Ratliff of Mount Pleasant.

The members were welcomed to Corpus Christi by Nueces County Judge Richard Borchard and the city's mayor, Lloyd Neal. The committee was then briefed on the condition of Mexico and international trade and transportation by Mexican Consulate Sr. Armando Beteta.

Providing area county testimony was Victoria County Judge Helen Walker and Victoria Mayor Gary Middleton. Corpus Christi MPO Director Muhammad Ulkarim provided testimony regarding local transportation planning issues. Others testifying on these matters were Aransas County Commissioner Glen Gillory, Nueces County Commissioner Joe McComb, and Refugio County Judge Charles Stone.

The committee also discussed transportation issues affecting Corpus Christi and surrounding area non-profit groups. Representatives from the Greater Corpus Christi Business Alliance briefed the members on transportation priorities. A representative from Robstown Economic Development Corporation provided testimony regarding the importance of transportation to education development in alliance with Del Mar College. Public testimony followed.

The committee members will gather their findings and make any necessary recommendations to the 76th Legislature which convenes in January of next year.

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