01.03.08

The Next Leader Of TxDOT

Posted in Around The State, Commentary, Privatization, Road Issues at 3:46 pm by wcnews

Despite what Burka says, (read the comments too), EOW doesn’t believe that Perry would choose Mike Krusee as the new chair of TxDOT. No doubt he is someone who is lock-step with Perry’s thinking on transportation – tolls, privatization and concessions, aka PPP’s – and it’s not out of the question, just not likely. It’s certainly in the Bush/Perry GOP M.O. (modus operandi) to appoint a person that will damage them politically in the short-run, but appoint the person nonetheless because they will do the dirty work that needs to be done. It’s not out of the question, besides how much lower than 39% can Perry go?

If Krusee had the political acumen of Ric Williamson, it would probably be done deal. But Krusee doesn’t, he likes to rub his opponents faces in it when he wins. Williamson may have too, but he knew how to do it in a way that left them with some political cover they needed on the other side as well. Evidenced by the Sen. Carona’s flip-flop on toll raods during last session. Krusee’s never had that savvy. Most people wind up not liking him, even those on his side. And therefore he’s not likely to get a job where that is required.

The El Paso Times is speculating that current commissioner Ted Houghton could be next transportation chairman. But that’s all it is:

Houghton’s name was among a few whispered in Austin as potential candidates to take leadership at the agency.

He declined to comment on the matter today.

“In respect to Ric and his family, I’m not going to say anything about succession right now,” Houghton said.

Harvey Kronberg, editor of the online political journal Quorum Report, said that although Houghton was a strong proponent of Perry’s transportation policies, he might not get the nod.

“There is no name that seems to have a consensus,” Kronberg said.

And the AAS is calling for a kinder, gentler head of TxDOT, Moderate voice needed to steer highway system.

Texas needs better highways, but it has to pay for them. The gasoline tax, stuck at 20 cents a gallon since 1991, should be raised. Tolls also are a legitimate way to raise money, particularly on new highways or on lanes added to existing roadways. But a lot of Texans object to relying on private interests to build and operate public infrastructure, and they aren’t going away, especially those serving in the Legislature.

It’s time for the governor to appoint a skilled negotiator, not another lightening rod, to oversee new highway construction.

No surprise that EOW disagrees with the AAS on their take. Williamson may have been a lightning rod but he did what he was there to do. And asking Perry to appoint someone who will do what the people of Texas want and need, raise the gas tax and lighten up on the tolls, is nice to see but won’t happen. (Sal has more on the AAS,The Statesman Misinforms The Public – Again.)

At this point no one knows, probably not even Perry, who the next TxDOT chair will be. Smart money should be on someone who is more in the Williamson mold. A person who has the respect of legislators but also knows how to get things done. Who knows maybe Perry could get his ‘ol buddy John Sharp to take the job?

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