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Home My WebLink AboutPR 12192:HOUSE BILL 3343INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: SUBJECT: DATE: STEVE FITZGIBBONS, CITY MANAGER P.R. NO. 12192 - PENDING TRANSIT LEGISLATION 05/05/03 RECOMMENDATION: I recommend that Proposed Resolution No. 12192 be approved. This Resolution would oppose the passage of House Bill 3343 in its current forr~ BACKGROUND: House Bill 3343 is related m public transportation in Texas and its relation m TXDOT. The bill as originally proposed would have removed the current allocation formula between rural and small urban systems fxom state legislation and given complete control of this allocation to the Texas Transportation Commissiow The current allocation provides for a 50/50 split. This split has provided adequate funding for both types of systems and consistency in the funding levels. The bill has been amended to include even more areas of concer~ 1. There is a basis in the bill for privatizing public transportation~ 2. Gives TXDOT the authority to ignore any existing rules and regulations in statute regarding public transportation, including the funding formula and the split between 3. Gives TXDOT complete discretion to increase or decrease state client funding and public transportation funding to any transit agency considered not in full compliance with TXDOT decisions related to client transportation. 4. Allows TXDOT to formulate local service plans if they do not agree with the service plan in place for a local area. 5. Strips the Governor, Lt. Governor and the Speaker from making appointments to the Public Transportalion Advisory Committee and gives total appointment power to the Transportation Commission. BUDGETARY/FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown STAFFING/EMPLOYEE EFFECT: Unknown SUMMARY: I recommend that Proposed R~solution No. 12192 be approved. 2 807 Brazos Street, Suite 906 Austin, TX 78701 Voice: (512) 478-8883 Fax: (512) 478-8886 Website: http:/h, vww. TexasTran sit .orl:l/ April 25, 2O03 Legislative Alert: House Bill 3343 - Alert 2 On April 22, a revised House Bill 3343 by Arlene Wohlgemuth (R - Burlesen) has passed out of the House Comm'atee on Transportation. House bill 3343 is one of the most important bills of this Le~siofive Session affecting public tran~portatiom Last April 16 the Texas Transit Association sent each transit agency the reasons why lib 3343 is important and how it affects your transit agency. Those reasons have not changed. In addition to concerns with HB 3343 identified in our April 16 letter to you, the changes to HB 3343, as substituted in the House Committee, include these new concerns: · There a basis within the bill for privatizing public transportation. · Strips the Governor, the Lt. Governor and the Speaker fi.om making appointments to the Public transportation Advisory Committee and gives total appointment power to the Transportation Commission. · Gives TxDOT the authority to ignore any existing rules and regulations in statute regarding public transit. · Gives TxDOT complete discretion to increase or decrease state client funding and public transit funding to any transit agency considered not in full compliance with TxDOT decisions related to client transportation. · Allows TxDOT to formulate local service plans if they do not agree with the service plan in place for a local area. NOTE: The changes from the original version to that of the substitution is shown in bold in the enclosed lib 3343 substitute. Texas Transit Association urges yon to centaet by telephone, fax and written correspondence the following individuals below and communicate your concern about and opposition to House Bill 3343: · Your state Iegisiators, both representatives and senators, · The Governor · Speaker of the House, and the Lt. Governor, and Note that all of these forms of communications are considered vital Find out who your legislator is at Texas Legislature Online (www.capitol.state. tx.us }, or contact TTA. April 24, 2003 - Legislative Alert Page Two Andjust as important: Have local mayors and county judges quickly contact their senators, representatives and especially the Governor, Lt. Governor and Speaker, and communicate there dissatisfaction with both House Bill 3343 and 3185, especially so given: · Loss of local control over local public transit service · Undue interference in local transit operations · Gives TxDOT the power to focus your local public transit services and funding to a specified state client group to the possible detriment of the general public. The Association provided a substitute to HB 3343 that would have accomplished the goal of I-I~ 3343 without subverting local control of transit systems. Our substitute bill was rejected. And please inform Texas Transit Association at the above address of your communication by forwarding a copy of it via fax, email, or in the mail. There is one month leR in the Legislative Session. However, to have any effect whatsoever, Iegisiators need to receive eommunicatinns on this from all the above within the next two weeks,/f not less. Squeaky wheel gets oil. So make it squeak! Sincerely yours, Michael Plaster P.Po No. 12192 05105/03 DLW RESOLUTION NO. A P~ESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE PRESERVATION OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION FUNDING AS FOUND 1N THE EXISTING TRANSPORTATION CODE. WHEREAS, the City of Port Arthur has provided public transportation since 1979; and, WHEREAS, the City of Port Arthur has been supportive of public transportation; and; WHEREAS, House Bill 3343 contains lango_age that will substantially lessen local control and oversight by public bodies and local communities over their public transportation systems, including the authority placed in the Texas Department of Transportation by House Bill 3343 to decrease any federal or state grant to our public transit system; and, WHEREA~S, House Bill 3343 allows the Department of Transportation to micromanage local transit systems and alter local transit services as they see fit; and gives the Department of Transportation the anthodty to supercede any other state law existing to benefit public transportation thereby usurping local government control; and, WHEREAS, the City of Port Arthur desires to retain local control and the reasoned autonomy we have historically possessed; and, WHEREAS, the City of Port Arthur is extremely concerned of any basic change in apProach to the provision of public transportation service in our area; now, therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR: THAT the City Council of the City of Port Arthur supports the preservation of public transit funding as found in the Transportation Code as it provides the stab'flity and predictability in funding for our local tmnsit system. P.R. NO. 12192 05105/03 Page 2 of 3 THAT the current approach to managing public transportation by local officials and communities must be retained. THAT the integration of health and human service client transportation can best be achieved by protecting and preserving levels of public transit service and local oversight by local communities and their elected officials. THAT the City Secretary shall send a copy of this Resolution to Senator Janek and Representatives Deshotel and Ritter. THAT a copy of the caption of this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the City Council. READ, ADOPTED AND APPROVED this day of May, A.D., 2003, at a Regnlar Meeting of the City Council of the City of Port Arthur, Texas, by the following vote: AYES: MAYOR COUNCILMEMBERS: NOES: A~E~: Mayor City Secretary P.R. NO. 12192 05/05/03 Page 3 of 3 APPROVED AS TO FORM: City Attorney APPROVED FOR ADMINISTRATION: City Manager Director of Planning