MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON BORDER AFFAIRS - SPECIAL
Tuesday, January 11, 2000
10:00 a.m.
Texas A&M International University
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Border
Affairs - Special was held on Tuesday, January 11, 2000, at
Texas A&M International University in Laredo.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. Senator Teel Bivins
Senator David Sibley Senator Robert Duncan
Senator Eliot Shapleigh
Senator Carlos Truan
Senator Judith Zaffirini
*****
The Senate Committee on Border Affairs and the Senate Committee
on State Affairs held a joint hearing. Senator Shapiro and
Senator Lucio chaired the Joint Hearing.
Senator Shapiro and Senator Lucio called the meeting to order at
10:05 a.m. There being a quorum present, the following business
was transacted:
Senator Lucio asked for approval of the revised Border Affairs
minutes from the previous hearings on November 18 and 19, 1999.
Senator Zaffirini moved approval of the minutes; without
objection, the minutes were approved.
Senator Shapiro and Senator Lucio gave opening remarks.
Members of the Senate Committee on State Affairs and the Senate
Committee on Border Affairs gave opening remarks.
Mayor Elizabeth "Betty" Flores gave welcoming remarks on behalf
of the City of Laredo and began the invited testimony part of
the hearing.
Dr. Charles Jennett, representing Texas A&M International
University, testified on interim charge #1.
Mr. David Laney, representing the Texas Department of
Transportation, testified on interim charge #1.
Mr. Charles W. Heald, representing the Texas Department of
Transportation, testified on interim charge #1.
Mr. Fedrick Werner, representing the U.S. Department of
Transportation, testified on interim charge #1.
Mr. Rafael Garcia, representing the City of Laredo, testified on
interim charge #1.
At 12:30 p.m. Senator Shapiro announced that the Committee would
stand at ease until 1:15 p.m. There was no objection.
At 1:20 p.m. the meeting reconvened.
Mr. Rick Maldonado, representing the Texas Ports Association -
13 Ports, testified on interim charge #1.
Mr. Mark Wiles, representing the Legislative Budget Board,
testified on interim charge #1.
Mr. John Keel, representing the Legislative Budget Board,
testified on interim charge #1.
Mr. Jesse Ancira, representing the Office of the Texas
Comptroller, testified on interim charge #1.
Senator Lucio requested that the LBB provide information
regarding how much Texas has paid in penalties for failure to
comply with certain highway provisions such as clean air
compliance and safety.
Senator Shapiro requested that TxDOT address certain issues that
the LBB report entitled "Highway Construction in the Texas
Border Region" did not address. These issues relate to the
methodology that TxDOT uses to determine allocations of funds,
the adequacy of the proposed funds and the assumptions that were
made in the course of the analysis.
Mr. Jerry Martin, representing the Texas Railroad Commission,
testified on interim charge #1.
Mr. Richard Martinez, representing Charles Mathews - Railroad
Commissioner, testified on interim charge #1.
Mr. Robert L. Nichols, representing the Texas Transportation
Commission and the Texas Department of Transportation, testified
on interim charge #1.
Mr. Christopher Aadnesen, representing the Texas Mexico Railway,
testified on interim charge #1.
Mr. David Fulton, representing the Texas Department of
Transportation, testified on interim charge #1.
Senator Zaffirini asked the witness to research how TxDOT can
help improve scheduled airline service in Laredo and other
cities.
Mr. John Helsley, representing the Rail District Advisors,
testified on interim charge #1.
Dr. Steve Roop, representing the Texas Transportation Institute,
testified on interim charge #1.
Senator Shapiro and Senator Shapleigh requested that there be a
panel available at the next hearing to discuss rail issues,
specifically using rail as opposed to trucks.
Mr. Pete Winstead, representing the Texas Turnpike Authority,
testified on interim charge #1.
Mr. Carlos Benavides, representing self, testified on interim
charge #1.
Ms. Suzanne Hansen-Alford, representing the Texas A&M
International University - NAFTA Center, testified on interim
charge #1.
Mayor Elizabeth "Betty" Flores, representing the City of Laredo,
testified on interim charge #1.
Mr. David Fulton, representing the Texas Department of
Transportation, testified on interim charge #1.
Mr. Jose Flores, representing the City of Laredo, testified on
interim charge #1.
Mr. Rene Gonzalez, representing the Texas Border Infrastructure
Coalition, testified on interim charge #1.
Mr. Mario Alvarado, representing the El Metro Transportation
System, testified on interim charge #1.
Mr. Jorge Verduzco, representing the I-69 Coalition, testified
on interim charge #1.
Mr. Luis Ramirez, representing the Texas Department of
Transportation, testified on interim charge #1.
Mr. Keith Selman, representing the City of Laredo, testified on
interim charge #1.
Mr. James Bass, representing the Texas Department of
Transportation, testified on interim charge #1.
At 6:30 p.m. Senator Lucio assumed the chair.
Ms. Kate McVey, representing the Zapata County News and self,
testified on interim charge #1.
There being no further business, at 6:50 p.m. Senator Lucio
moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of
the Chair; without objection, it was so ordered.
______________________
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., Chair
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Stephanie R. Hoover, Clerk