Research by Martha Estes - May 19, 2009
Source: Texas Legislature On-Line
House Cmte. Report sent to Calendars 05/19/2009
The HOUSE Transportation Cmte. reported on SB 404 by Carona.
Caption: Relating to the authority of certain toll project entities to enter into a comprehensive development agreement
It will probably appear on a HOUSE calendar very soon.
An analysis is offered below from TLO.
BILL ANALYSIS C.S.S.B. 404 By: Carona
Transportation Committee Report (Substituted)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
H.B. 3588, Acts of the 78th Legislature, Regular Session, 2003, changes the structure of Texas transportation infrastructure financing by allowing public-private partnerships as a means for developing transportation infrastructure through comprehensive development agreements (CDAs). Chapters 223 and 370, Transportation Code, authorize the use of CDAs; however, the authority provided for under these chapters expires in August 2009. With limited means of funding transportation projects, CDAs are a necessary tool for providing financing for future transportation infrastructure.
C.S.S.B. 404 extends that the authority of the Texas Department of Transportation or a regional mobility authority to enter into comprehensive development agreements, for an additional four years.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
C.S.S.B. 404 amends the Transportation Code to postpone from August 31, 2009, to August 31, 2013, the expiration date for the authority of the Texas Department of Transportation or a regional mobility authority to enter into comprehensive development agreements and to postpone from August 31, 2011, to August 31, 2015, the expiration date with respect to certain exempted projects. The bill specifies that its provisions take effect only if S.B. 17 or another similar bill of the 81st Legislature, Regular Session, 2009, relating to the design, development, financing, construction, and operation of certain toll projects, including the determination of the primacy process for local toll project entities, becomes law.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Except as otherwise provided, September 1, 2009.
COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE
C.S.S.B. 404 postpones the expiration dates relating to the authority of the Texas Department of Transportation or a regional mobility authority to enter into comprehensive development agreements for four years, rather than six years as in the original.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
ACTON ALERT: TELL LEGISLATURE TO PASS Tx H.B. 15
BILL ANALYSIS (Texas) H.B. 15
By: Leibowitz
Transportation Committee Report (Unamended)
Source: Texas Legislature On Line
NOTE FROM FAITH CHATHAM: 12:27 P.M. May 14, 2009
Rep. Frost's aide says this bill was on yesterday's House Calendar for the second reading and was not voted on. It is late in the session and it appears that it is too late for this bill to be passed. Texans will continue to have non elected persons sit on Metropolitan Planning Organization, deciding what roads will and will not be planned, built and funded!
By: Leibowitz
Transportation Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
A metropolitan planning organization (MPO) is an agency created under federal law to provide local input for urban transportation planning and allocating federal transportation funds in cities with a population greater than 50,000. There are twenty-five MPOs in Texas. The largest is the Dallas-Fort Worth MPO and the smallest is the Sherman-Denison MPO. Each MPO receives federal funding for transportation planning. Many receive state andocal funds as well in order to carry out their planning activities.
Transportation planning decisions are made by the policy board of an MPO. This can be as benign as the planning of bike routes in an urban area or as controversial as the construction of toll roads. The policy board of an MPO can be made up of a mix of elected and non-elected officials. Currently, unelected officials, some not even permanent residents of the urban area affected by the MPO they sit on, cast votes on approving the construction of toll roads. Unelected officials who are not accountable to voters should not be allowed to essentially levy a tax on the citizens of a community.
H.B. 15 allows only the elected officials on an MPO policy board to vote on toll road projects.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS:
H.B. 15 amends the Transportation Code to prohibit a member of the policy board of a metropolitan planning organization from participating in a vote of the board to approve the construction of a new toll project or the conversion of a nontolled project to a toll project unless the member is an elected official.
H.B. 15 provides for the prohibition to take effect, either as an amendment to Chapter 371, Transportation Code, as added by Chapter 103 (H.B. 570), Acts of the 80th Legislature, Regular Session, 2007, or as an amendment to Chapter 372, Transportation Code, as redesignated by and contingent on passage of the Act of the 81st Legislature, Regular Session, 2009, relating to nonsubstantive additions to and corrections in existing codes.
EFFECTIVE DATE: September 1, 2009.
Source: Texas Legislature On Line
NOTE FROM FAITH CHATHAM: 12:27 P.M. May 14, 2009
Rep. Frost's aide says this bill was on yesterday's House Calendar for the second reading and was not voted on. It is late in the session and it appears that it is too late for this bill to be passed. Texans will continue to have non elected persons sit on Metropolitan Planning Organization, deciding what roads will and will not be planned, built and funded!
Friday, May 8, 2009
Revamp of Texas Department of Transportation gains momentum
By DAVE MONTGOMERY - Fort Worth Star Telegram - May 7, 2009
AUSTIN — House members took strong steps late Thursday to make the massive state transportation bureaucracy more accountable to the public, calling for an elected statewide commissioner and 14 elected representatives.
House members rejected a proposal that would have required the Texas Department of Transportation to buy environmentally friendly "green cement" in what lawmakers said was a slap at Midlothian cement plants blamed for much of the pollution in North Texas.
The legislation under consideration by the House would continue the department for another four years while strengthening state oversight in hopes of averting problems. The bill is designed to curb some of the powers the department amassed earlier in the decade and dissolve what Rep. Linda Harper-Brown, R-Irving, described as a "backdrop of distrust and frustration."
The amendment requiring green-cement purchases, defeated by a vote of 97-30, touched off a contentious debate between Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, whose district includes the Midlothian plants, and North Texas lawmakers insisting on tougher controls over the kilns.
"Mr. Pitts, you know I love you, but I have to stand up for the people in my district and the children in my district," Rep. Paula Pierson, D-Arlington, said as she debated Pitts from the microphone at the rear of the chamber.
Though Midlothian was never mentioned, the intent of the amendment by Rep. Roberto Alonzo, D-Dallas, was clear. It would have required the use of so-called dry technology that produces fewer pollutants, instead of the older "wet" technology used in Midlothian.
Over a half-dozen local governments, including Tarrant County, Fort Worth, Dallas, Arlington and Plano, have adopted "green cement" purchasing preferences.
"How dare you come into my district and try to close a plant" that has been an economic boost to the area, Pitts told Alonzo, saying that emissions in the area have been reduced by 64 percent over the past decade. Pitts said automobile emissions produce "more pollution than this plant."
"Our biggest problem [in North Texas] is not this plant — it’s highway traffic," Pitts said.
Rep. Lon Burnam, D-Fort Worth, told Pitts that "it’s pretty outrageous for you" to suggest that North Texas residents should not be concerned about pollution from the cement kilns, adding that "children in my district are breathing bad air" because of the emissions.
The bill stems from the sunset review process that requires lawmakers to examine the performance of selected state agencies during each legislative session.
The Transportation Department sunset bill is considered one of lawmakers’ top priorities this session, reflecting the scope of the bureaucracy, the importance of transportation projects and legislators’ desire to put the department under greater scrutiny. Lawmakers faced 162 amendments as they began debate on the bill.
"The public felt like they were not involved in the process at all, and all the members of the House felt the same way," Harper-Brown said.
North Texas leaders consider transportation their top issue as they develop regional strategies to deal with congestion and pollution that threatens to hamstring economic growth. The need for additional roadways across the state has increased with the population, leaving Texas with an estimated $300 billion shortfall in transportation needs.
The Transportation Department had a budget of $17.5 billion for the 2008-09 fiscal biennium, much of which was devoted to planning, building and maintaining roads and bridges, according to the House Research Organization. The department has a staff of 14,500 in its Austin headquarters and 25 district offices.
House members rejected efforts to strip one of the bill’s cornerstones, a legislative oversight committee designed to make recommendations for state transportation needs.
DAVE MONTGOMERY, 512-476-4294
Read more in the Fort Worth Star Telegram
AUSTIN — House members took strong steps late Thursday to make the massive state transportation bureaucracy more accountable to the public, calling for an elected statewide commissioner and 14 elected representatives.
House members rejected a proposal that would have required the Texas Department of Transportation to buy environmentally friendly "green cement" in what lawmakers said was a slap at Midlothian cement plants blamed for much of the pollution in North Texas.
The legislation under consideration by the House would continue the department for another four years while strengthening state oversight in hopes of averting problems. The bill is designed to curb some of the powers the department amassed earlier in the decade and dissolve what Rep. Linda Harper-Brown, R-Irving, described as a "backdrop of distrust and frustration."
The amendment requiring green-cement purchases, defeated by a vote of 97-30, touched off a contentious debate between Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, whose district includes the Midlothian plants, and North Texas lawmakers insisting on tougher controls over the kilns.
"Mr. Pitts, you know I love you, but I have to stand up for the people in my district and the children in my district," Rep. Paula Pierson, D-Arlington, said as she debated Pitts from the microphone at the rear of the chamber.
Though Midlothian was never mentioned, the intent of the amendment by Rep. Roberto Alonzo, D-Dallas, was clear. It would have required the use of so-called dry technology that produces fewer pollutants, instead of the older "wet" technology used in Midlothian.
Over a half-dozen local governments, including Tarrant County, Fort Worth, Dallas, Arlington and Plano, have adopted "green cement" purchasing preferences.
"How dare you come into my district and try to close a plant" that has been an economic boost to the area, Pitts told Alonzo, saying that emissions in the area have been reduced by 64 percent over the past decade. Pitts said automobile emissions produce "more pollution than this plant."
"Our biggest problem [in North Texas] is not this plant — it’s highway traffic," Pitts said.
Rep. Lon Burnam, D-Fort Worth, told Pitts that "it’s pretty outrageous for you" to suggest that North Texas residents should not be concerned about pollution from the cement kilns, adding that "children in my district are breathing bad air" because of the emissions.
The bill stems from the sunset review process that requires lawmakers to examine the performance of selected state agencies during each legislative session.
The Transportation Department sunset bill is considered one of lawmakers’ top priorities this session, reflecting the scope of the bureaucracy, the importance of transportation projects and legislators’ desire to put the department under greater scrutiny. Lawmakers faced 162 amendments as they began debate on the bill.
"The public felt like they were not involved in the process at all, and all the members of the House felt the same way," Harper-Brown said.
North Texas leaders consider transportation their top issue as they develop regional strategies to deal with congestion and pollution that threatens to hamstring economic growth. The need for additional roadways across the state has increased with the population, leaving Texas with an estimated $300 billion shortfall in transportation needs.
The Transportation Department had a budget of $17.5 billion for the 2008-09 fiscal biennium, much of which was devoted to planning, building and maintaining roads and bridges, according to the House Research Organization. The department has a staff of 14,500 in its Austin headquarters and 25 district offices.
House members rejected efforts to strip one of the bill’s cornerstones, a legislative oversight committee designed to make recommendations for state transportation needs.
DAVE MONTGOMERY, 512-476-4294
Read more in the Fort Worth Star Telegram
Monday, May 4, 2009
Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive May 9th
Saturday May 9, 2009
NALC - Stamp Out Hunger
The National Association of Letter Carriers' Stamp Out Hunger food drive is the largest one-day food drive in the nation. On May 9th, North Texas residents are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items and place them by their mailbox for their letter carrier to collect. Letter carriers will then deliver the food to the North Texas Food Bank where it will be sorted by volunteers and distributed to the Food Bank's 917 feeding and education programs in 13 North Texas counties. Don't forget: Leave non-perishables by your mailbox May 9th!
North Texas Food Bank http://www.ntfb.org/
NALC - Stamp Out Hunger
The National Association of Letter Carriers' Stamp Out Hunger food drive is the largest one-day food drive in the nation. On May 9th, North Texas residents are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items and place them by their mailbox for their letter carrier to collect. Letter carriers will then deliver the food to the North Texas Food Bank where it will be sorted by volunteers and distributed to the Food Bank's 917 feeding and education programs in 13 North Texas counties. Don't forget: Leave non-perishables by your mailbox May 9th!
North Texas Food Bank http://www.ntfb.org/
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Legislative Alerts: Senate Bills Scheduled for Consideration May 4
By Martha Estes - May 3, 2009
SENATE
Mon. May 4th @ 11am in SENATE Chamber
Postponed Business:
SB 18 (CS) Estes/ et al.
Relating to the use of eminent domain authority. Co-authors: Carona, Deuell, Eltife, Harris, Hegar, Hinojosa, Mike Jackson, Dan Patrick, Seliger, Shapiro, Uresti, Van de Putte, West, Williams, Zaffirini
Analysis (as filed): http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/analysis/html/SB00018I.htm
Currently, the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits the taking of private property for public use without just compensation, commonly referred to as the "takings clause." Section 17, Article I, Texas Constitution, prohibits a person's property from being taken, damaged, or destroyed without consent for public use without adequate compensation.
As proposed, S.B. 18 modifies the process governing eminent domain proceedings, standards of evidence that could be considered by a court in the course of making decisions regarding damages, obligations placed upon condemning entities, and the rights of previous owners to repurchase taken property. S.B. 18 authorizes special commissioners to take into account any evidence that a property owner would consider in a negotiated transaction outside the standards set forth in the chapter. This bill modifies the price at which previous owners could repurchase condemned property on which a public use was cancelled within 10 years of the acquisitions to be the price paid to the owner by the governmental entity at the time the property originally was acquired, rather than the fair market value of the property at the time the public use was canceled. S.B. 18 requires a governmental entity, for each property or group of jointly owned contiguous properties to be condemned, to formally authorize by motion the initiation of condemnation proceedings at a public hearing by a record vote by adding the Truth in Condemnation Procedures Act. S.B. 18 requires the comptroller of public accounts to identify all entities public and private, with eminent domain authority and make recommendations to the legislature regarding that authority.
Second Reading:
SB 1282 Williams
Caption: Relating to the powers of certain freight rail districts
SB 1283 Williams
Caption: Relating to the supervision by the TxDOT of money appropriated by the federal government for the construction and maintenance of rail facilities
SB 1923 Watson
Caption: Relating to funding sources for the Texas rail relocation and improvement fund
SB 612 (LC) Shapleigh
Caption: Relating to the powers and duties of the TxDOT related to rail facilities
SB 1570 (LC) Carona Caption: Relating to the facilitation, analysis, and implementation of high-speed passenger rail in this state.
SB 1382 (LC) Carona Relating to the coordination of the planning, construction, operation, and maintenance of a statewide passenger rail system by the TxDOT
SB 2096 (CS) (LC) Wentworth
Caption: Relating to the creation of and the powers of a comprehensive multimodal urban transportation authority, including the power to impose taxes, issue bonds, and exercise limited eminent domain authority
SB 1351 (CS) (LC) Carona
Caption: Relating to the terms of the members of the Texas Transportation Commission (2 years)
SB 505 (CS) Ogden Caption: Relating to authorizing the designation of an area adjacent to a state highway project as a transportation finance zone and requiring that the revenue from the state sales and use taxes imposed in the zone be used to pay obligations issued in connection with the project.
SENATE
Mon. May 4th @ 11am in SENATE Chamber
Postponed Business:
SB 18 (CS) Estes/ et al.
Relating to the use of eminent domain authority. Co-authors: Carona, Deuell, Eltife, Harris, Hegar, Hinojosa, Mike Jackson, Dan Patrick, Seliger, Shapiro, Uresti, Van de Putte, West, Williams, Zaffirini
Analysis (as filed): http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/81R/analysis/html/SB00018I.htm
Currently, the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits the taking of private property for public use without just compensation, commonly referred to as the "takings clause." Section 17, Article I, Texas Constitution, prohibits a person's property from being taken, damaged, or destroyed without consent for public use without adequate compensation.
As proposed, S.B. 18 modifies the process governing eminent domain proceedings, standards of evidence that could be considered by a court in the course of making decisions regarding damages, obligations placed upon condemning entities, and the rights of previous owners to repurchase taken property. S.B. 18 authorizes special commissioners to take into account any evidence that a property owner would consider in a negotiated transaction outside the standards set forth in the chapter. This bill modifies the price at which previous owners could repurchase condemned property on which a public use was cancelled within 10 years of the acquisitions to be the price paid to the owner by the governmental entity at the time the property originally was acquired, rather than the fair market value of the property at the time the public use was canceled. S.B. 18 requires a governmental entity, for each property or group of jointly owned contiguous properties to be condemned, to formally authorize by motion the initiation of condemnation proceedings at a public hearing by a record vote by adding the Truth in Condemnation Procedures Act. S.B. 18 requires the comptroller of public accounts to identify all entities public and private, with eminent domain authority and make recommendations to the legislature regarding that authority.
Second Reading:
SB 1282 Williams
Caption: Relating to the powers of certain freight rail districts
SB 1283 Williams
Caption: Relating to the supervision by the TxDOT of money appropriated by the federal government for the construction and maintenance of rail facilities
SB 1923 Watson
Caption: Relating to funding sources for the Texas rail relocation and improvement fund
SB 612 (LC) Shapleigh
Caption: Relating to the powers and duties of the TxDOT related to rail facilities
SB 1570 (LC) Carona Caption: Relating to the facilitation, analysis, and implementation of high-speed passenger rail in this state.
SB 1382 (LC) Carona Relating to the coordination of the planning, construction, operation, and maintenance of a statewide passenger rail system by the TxDOT
SB 2096 (CS) (LC) Wentworth
Caption: Relating to the creation of and the powers of a comprehensive multimodal urban transportation authority, including the power to impose taxes, issue bonds, and exercise limited eminent domain authority
SB 1351 (CS) (LC) Carona
Caption: Relating to the terms of the members of the Texas Transportation Commission (2 years)
SB 505 (CS) Ogden Caption: Relating to authorizing the designation of an area adjacent to a state highway project as a transportation finance zone and requiring that the revenue from the state sales and use taxes imposed in the zone be used to pay obligations issued in connection with the project.
Friday, May 1, 2009
DFW Regional Concerned Citizens and The Arlington Texan Endorse Terry Meza
Both Place 5 Arlington City Council candidates have track records and deep roots in the district. Better educated, Terry Meza has multiple degrees in Law, Education and Urban Affairs while Mrs. Wolff, who has served 6 years as Councilwoman, completed one year of college. Meza's record spearheading community revitalization in historic neighborhoods in Fort Worth and Midland, makes her a good fit for this district which desperately need her skill in job creation, business development and neighborhood revitalization. Councilwoman Wolff’s is named in a lawsuit seeking payment of a judgment from a 1990 bankruptcy filed by her and her husband listing debts of $97,510,536.38. Her description of it in the League of Women Voters Candidate's Survey as “One frivolous lawsuit not followed-up..” and the staggering amount of the unsecured debt concerns us.
Wolff lists some Meza supporters as endorsers! In addition to those mentioned in a Fort Worth Star Telegram article, at least one member of our organization, a Meza volunteer and donor, was surprised to see his name on Mrs. Wolff's list of endorsers.
Mrs. Wolff is proud of the investment in infrastructure in the district. The district, which runs from Pantego to the Grand Prairie City Limits through central Arlington, contains neighborhoods ranging from upper middle income to lower income. The majority of the investment in infrastructure has been concentrated west of Collins Street while east Arlington continues to be neglected. Terry Meza will champion the neglected area of the district while supporting development throughout the district.
Until Councilwoman Wolff clears up her family legal and financial problems, we recommend that District 5 voters elect Terry Meza to the Arlington City Council.
Wolff lists some Meza supporters as endorsers! In addition to those mentioned in a Fort Worth Star Telegram article, at least one member of our organization, a Meza volunteer and donor, was surprised to see his name on Mrs. Wolff's list of endorsers.
Mrs. Wolff is proud of the investment in infrastructure in the district. The district, which runs from Pantego to the Grand Prairie City Limits through central Arlington, contains neighborhoods ranging from upper middle income to lower income. The majority of the investment in infrastructure has been concentrated west of Collins Street while east Arlington continues to be neglected. Terry Meza will champion the neglected area of the district while supporting development throughout the district.
Until Councilwoman Wolff clears up her family legal and financial problems, we recommend that District 5 voters elect Terry Meza to the Arlington City Council.
International Toll Investor, Macquarie posts losses
May 1, 2009
By MERAIAH FOLEY
Macquarie Posts Decline in Annual Profit
SYDNEY — The largest Australian investment bank, Macquarie Group, posted its first fall in annual profit in 17 years Thursday, citing billions of dollars in losses stemming from the global slowdown.
Macquarie said net profit for the year that ended March 31 had fallen 52 percent to 871 million Australian dollars, or $635 million, from a record 1.8 billion dollars the year before. The widely expected result fell just short of the bank’s February profit forecast of 900 million dollars.
Later in the day, the bank confirmed it had raised 540 million dollars in an institutional placement of new shares at 27 dollars per share, Reuters reported.
Though Macquarie and other large Australian banks have been largely insulated from the pain suffered by their counterparts on Wall Street and in Europe, the result released Friday was the investment juggernaut’s worst since 1992, during the country’s previous recession.
Macquarie blamed “testing global market conditions” for the result, which included 2.5 billion dollars in one-time losses. Listed among the write-downs were 1.47 billion dollars in losses associated with managed funds and infrastructure assets; 496 million dollars in bad loans, mostly for property and mineral investments; and 248 million dollars in costs from the sale of its Italian mortgage business.
On the upside, Macquarie touted its relatively healthy balance sheet, with cash and liquid assets totaling 30.8 billion dollars and total capital of 10.2 billion dollars, which is 3.1 billion dollars more than the minimum required by Australian regulators.
Nevertheless, the bank requested Thursday that trading in its shares be halted while it considered plans to raise additional capital. There were no further details of the plans in the bank’s statement to the Australian Securities Exchange on Friday, but the Macquarie chief executive, Nicholas Moore, warned of continued uncertainty ahead.
“While there were some early signs of markets stabilizing in March and April,” Mr. Moore said, “significant uncertainties remain, and it is still too early to make any judgments on sustained market improvements.”
Until now, Macquarie has been one of the few banks around the globe that have not approached its shareholders for more money since the financial meltdown began last year.
Tim Schroeders, a portfolio manager at Pengana Capital, said that the announcement made Thursday was more of a reflection of changing banking conditions than a sign of trouble at Macquarie.
“The leverage that was previously in the banking system prior to the global financial crisis is no longer prudent, and as a result, banks are requiring more capital and returning less on that capital,” he said. “There are going to be adjustments required to reposition the business to be optimally profitable over the next 10 years.”
Read more in the New York Times
By MERAIAH FOLEY
Macquarie Posts Decline in Annual Profit
SYDNEY — The largest Australian investment bank, Macquarie Group, posted its first fall in annual profit in 17 years Thursday, citing billions of dollars in losses stemming from the global slowdown.
Macquarie said net profit for the year that ended March 31 had fallen 52 percent to 871 million Australian dollars, or $635 million, from a record 1.8 billion dollars the year before. The widely expected result fell just short of the bank’s February profit forecast of 900 million dollars.
Later in the day, the bank confirmed it had raised 540 million dollars in an institutional placement of new shares at 27 dollars per share, Reuters reported.
Though Macquarie and other large Australian banks have been largely insulated from the pain suffered by their counterparts on Wall Street and in Europe, the result released Friday was the investment juggernaut’s worst since 1992, during the country’s previous recession.
Macquarie blamed “testing global market conditions” for the result, which included 2.5 billion dollars in one-time losses. Listed among the write-downs were 1.47 billion dollars in losses associated with managed funds and infrastructure assets; 496 million dollars in bad loans, mostly for property and mineral investments; and 248 million dollars in costs from the sale of its Italian mortgage business.
On the upside, Macquarie touted its relatively healthy balance sheet, with cash and liquid assets totaling 30.8 billion dollars and total capital of 10.2 billion dollars, which is 3.1 billion dollars more than the minimum required by Australian regulators.
Nevertheless, the bank requested Thursday that trading in its shares be halted while it considered plans to raise additional capital. There were no further details of the plans in the bank’s statement to the Australian Securities Exchange on Friday, but the Macquarie chief executive, Nicholas Moore, warned of continued uncertainty ahead.
“While there were some early signs of markets stabilizing in March and April,” Mr. Moore said, “significant uncertainties remain, and it is still too early to make any judgments on sustained market improvements.”
Until now, Macquarie has been one of the few banks around the globe that have not approached its shareholders for more money since the financial meltdown began last year.
Tim Schroeders, a portfolio manager at Pengana Capital, said that the announcement made Thursday was more of a reflection of changing banking conditions than a sign of trouble at Macquarie.
“The leverage that was previously in the banking system prior to the global financial crisis is no longer prudent, and as a result, banks are requiring more capital and returning less on that capital,” he said. “There are going to be adjustments required to reposition the business to be optimally profitable over the next 10 years.”
Read more in the New York Times
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
DFW Regional Concerned Citizens Endorses Harriet Irby
By Faith Chatham - DFWRCC - April 29, 2009
Serving the community of Pantego for 38 years, Harriet Irby is academically trained in urban government. Her opponent, a 5-year resident and one-term councilman, is lax in filing expense reports when spending taxpayers’ money! Irby fights valiantly to make our political system transparent, fair and equitable for everyone, even those who disagree with her. Serving 30 years as election judge, Irby is fastidious in following the law, checking facts, evaluating sources, and consulting experts to verify data before she speaks or votes. The Town Council declared December 1, 2007 Harriet Irby Day in Pantego, noting Irby’s “deep and genuine love for this town”, serving “the community with distinction by performing a variety of public appointments and offices “, and “willingness to place her concern for the public and good above her own personal interest” These qualities are needed in all public servants. She’ll be an asset on the Town Council.
DFW Regional Concerned Citizens applauds Irby's consistent opposition to privitazion of public infrastructure. She opposes use of eminent domain for private gain! She understands complex transportation and environmental issues and works to preserve air, water and transportation for use by all citizens of this region.
Faith Chatham
Co-founder of DFW Regional Concerned Citizens
Serving the community of Pantego for 38 years, Harriet Irby is academically trained in urban government. Her opponent, a 5-year resident and one-term councilman, is lax in filing expense reports when spending taxpayers’ money! Irby fights valiantly to make our political system transparent, fair and equitable for everyone, even those who disagree with her. Serving 30 years as election judge, Irby is fastidious in following the law, checking facts, evaluating sources, and consulting experts to verify data before she speaks or votes. The Town Council declared December 1, 2007 Harriet Irby Day in Pantego, noting Irby’s “deep and genuine love for this town”, serving “the community with distinction by performing a variety of public appointments and offices “, and “willingness to place her concern for the public and good above her own personal interest” These qualities are needed in all public servants. She’ll be an asset on the Town Council.
DFW Regional Concerned Citizens applauds Irby's consistent opposition to privitazion of public infrastructure. She opposes use of eminent domain for private gain! She understands complex transportation and environmental issues and works to preserve air, water and transportation for use by all citizens of this region.
Faith Chatham
Co-founder of DFW Regional Concerned Citizens
Monday, April 27, 2009
"Air Emissions from Oil and Gas Development in the Barnett Shale and the Rest of Texas"
Arlington Conservation Council and Green Arlington Foundation presents:
"Air Emissions from Oil and Gas Development in the Barnett Shale and the Rest of Texas"
By Dr. Al Armendariz
Wednesday, May 13, 2009, 7 pm
West Police Station, 2060 W Green Oaks Blvd, Arlington, Texas
Everyone is invited to attend this free lecture. Dr. Armendariz is a Research Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental and Civil Engineering at Southern Methodist University in Dallas and has written extensively on air quality issues related to industrial activity and gas drilling.
Presented by the Arlington Conservation Council and the Green Arlington Foundation.
For information, call 214 850 2412.
"Air Emissions from Oil and Gas Development in the Barnett Shale and the Rest of Texas"
By Dr. Al Armendariz
Wednesday, May 13, 2009, 7 pm
West Police Station, 2060 W Green Oaks Blvd, Arlington, Texas
Everyone is invited to attend this free lecture. Dr. Armendariz is a Research Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental and Civil Engineering at Southern Methodist University in Dallas and has written extensively on air quality issues related to industrial activity and gas drilling.
Presented by the Arlington Conservation Council and the Green Arlington Foundation.
For information, call 214 850 2412.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
ATA Applauds the Introduction of Anti-Privatization Legislation
Saturday, April 25, 2009
The American Trucking Associations (ATA) applauds U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) for their introduction of the “Transportation Access for All Americans Act,” (S. 885) and the “Transportation Equity for All Americans Act” (S. 884) on April 24.
The legislation will eliminate expensive federal subsidies that now flow to privatized highways. When a state or city leases a highway, it receives significant compensation, but taxpayers always end up paying higher tolls to the private operator.
“I would like to thank Senator Bingaman and Senator Grassley for their leadership,” says ATA President and CEO Bill Graves. “We look forward to working with both gentlemen on this critical issue,” he added.
Privatization is dismantling the nation’s interstate highway network. The United States cannot maintain a national highway network if key segments are leased to the highest bidder. More than money is at stake. Leasing roadways allows states only to postpone, not solve, their budget problems — and without understanding the long-term implications.
The American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of other trucking groups, industry-related conferences, and its 50 affiliated state trucking associations, ATA represents more than 37,000 members covering every type of motor carrier in the United States.
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Library of Congress THOMAS http://thomas.loc.gov/ (General Access LINK to Congress)
Link for BILL Searches:
S.884
Title: A bill to amend title 23, United States Code, to remove privatized highway miles as a factor in apportioning highway funding.
Cosponsors: Sen Bingaman, Jeff [D-NM] & Sen Grassley, Chuck [R-IA] (introduced 4/23/2009)
Latest Major Action: 4/23/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Cmte. on Environment and Public Works
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S.885
Title: A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide special depreciation and amortization rules for highway and related property subject to long-term leases, and for other purposes.
Cosponsors: Sen Bingaman, Jeff [NM] & Sen Grassley, Chuck [IA] (introduced 4/23/2009)
Latest Major Action: 4/23/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Cmte. on Finance
The American Trucking Associations (ATA) applauds U.S. Senators Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) for their introduction of the “Transportation Access for All Americans Act,” (S. 885) and the “Transportation Equity for All Americans Act” (S. 884) on April 24.
The legislation will eliminate expensive federal subsidies that now flow to privatized highways. When a state or city leases a highway, it receives significant compensation, but taxpayers always end up paying higher tolls to the private operator.
“I would like to thank Senator Bingaman and Senator Grassley for their leadership,” says ATA President and CEO Bill Graves. “We look forward to working with both gentlemen on this critical issue,” he added.
Privatization is dismantling the nation’s interstate highway network. The United States cannot maintain a national highway network if key segments are leased to the highest bidder. More than money is at stake. Leasing roadways allows states only to postpone, not solve, their budget problems — and without understanding the long-term implications.
The American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of other trucking groups, industry-related conferences, and its 50 affiliated state trucking associations, ATA represents more than 37,000 members covering every type of motor carrier in the United States.
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Library of Congress THOMAS http://thomas.loc.gov/ (General Access LINK to Congress)
Link for BILL Searches:
S.884
Title: A bill to amend title 23, United States Code, to remove privatized highway miles as a factor in apportioning highway funding.
Cosponsors: Sen Bingaman, Jeff [D-NM] & Sen Grassley, Chuck [R-IA] (introduced 4/23/2009)
Latest Major Action: 4/23/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Cmte. on Environment and Public Works
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S.885
Title: A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide special depreciation and amortization rules for highway and related property subject to long-term leases, and for other purposes.
Cosponsors: Sen Bingaman, Jeff [NM] & Sen Grassley, Chuck [IA] (introduced 4/23/2009)
Latest Major Action: 4/23/2009 Referred to Senate committee. Status: Read twice and referred to the Cmte. on Finance
Spending records of Barton's charitable foundation raises questions
By LAURA ISENSEE - The Dallas Morning News - Tuesday, April 7, 2009
WASHINGTON – Rep. Joe Barton's charitable foundation, which has drawn headlines for the Arlington Republican, has spent more in overhead than on public causes, according to a published report.
A story in Monday's Washington Times noted that the charity started by Barton, the top Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, raised money from industries with a stake in his committee's business and took credit for some donations that corporations made directly to local nonprofits.
The fundraising is "perfectly legal and by the books," said Sean Brown, a spokesman for Barton.
In its first three years, the Joe Barton Family Foundation spent more on overhead – about $130,000 – than it gave to charity. In 2006, it donated $90,000 to construct a new 10,000-square-foot facility for Boys and Girls Club of Navarro County, according to the group's tax reports.
The organization formed as a tax-exempt public charity in 2005. Its mission is to help nonprofits, primarily in Barton's district, build large-scale capital projects. His daughter-in-law runs the Arlington-based organization.
Overall, Barton's foundation has spent less than a quarter of its funds on public causes, according to the Times.
The typical charity rated by the watchdog group Charity Navigator spends about 75 percent on programs and services and 25 percent toward administration and fundraising costs.
There is no one-size-fits-all for how much charities should spend on overhead, said Elizabeth Boris, who directs the Urban Institute's Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy.
Read more in the Dallas Morning News
WASHINGTON – Rep. Joe Barton's charitable foundation, which has drawn headlines for the Arlington Republican, has spent more in overhead than on public causes, according to a published report.
A story in Monday's Washington Times noted that the charity started by Barton, the top Republican on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, raised money from industries with a stake in his committee's business and took credit for some donations that corporations made directly to local nonprofits.
The fundraising is "perfectly legal and by the books," said Sean Brown, a spokesman for Barton.
In its first three years, the Joe Barton Family Foundation spent more on overhead – about $130,000 – than it gave to charity. In 2006, it donated $90,000 to construct a new 10,000-square-foot facility for Boys and Girls Club of Navarro County, according to the group's tax reports.
The organization formed as a tax-exempt public charity in 2005. Its mission is to help nonprofits, primarily in Barton's district, build large-scale capital projects. His daughter-in-law runs the Arlington-based organization.
Overall, Barton's foundation has spent less than a quarter of its funds on public causes, according to the Times.
The typical charity rated by the watchdog group Charity Navigator spends about 75 percent on programs and services and 25 percent toward administration and fundraising costs.
There is no one-size-fits-all for how much charities should spend on overhead, said Elizabeth Boris, who directs the Urban Institute's Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy.
Read more in the Dallas Morning News
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Rep. Senfronia Thompson's Ethic Commission reform bill scheduled for public hearing Mon. Apriil 20th
By John Cobarruvias - Bay Area Houston - April 17, 2009State Representative Senfronia Thompson's Ethic Commission reform bill will be heard on Monday April 20 in the Elections Committee. This bill would prevent many of the violations identified in "Don't Mess with Ethics" including over $3 million in undisclosed expenditures by 95 Legislators as well as spending their donors money to buy condos, memberships to exclusive golf courses, and paying family members for personal services.
The problems with the Texas Ethics Commission can be fixed to prevent these gross violations in the future with HB3178.
COMMITTTEE: ELECTIONS
TIME & DATE: 2:00 PM or upon final adjourn./recess Monday, April 20, 2009
PLACE: E2.028
CHAIR: Rep. Todd Smith
The problems with the Texas Ethics Commission can be fixed to prevent these gross violations in the future with HB3178.
COMMITTTEE: ELECTIONS
TIME & DATE: 2:00 PM or upon final adjourn./recess Monday, April 20, 2009
PLACE: E2.028
CHAIR: Rep. Todd Smith
Texas House of Representatives Deliberations on Transportation
By Vince Leibowitz - Capitol Annex - Friday, April 17, 2008
[DFWRCC is posting the excerpts of Vince's live blogging/tweeting from yesterday's Texas House of Representatives debates and votes pertaining to transportation. Please visit Capitol Annex for Vince's play-by-play report on Texas House deliberations on Education and Criminal Justice.]
12:52 we’re back after a brief break.
12:56 amendment by Lon Burnam would require TXDoT to notify the Legislative Budget Board and each member of the Legislature of each waiver it intends to make that would waive any requirement of a toll?road entity to compensate property owners affected by projects. The notice would be required to be delivered to the LBB and each legislator at least 30 days prior to date on which the waiver would take effect.
12:57 amendment is temporarily withdrawn. Now to page 2 of supplemental packet no clue what that is. Unemployment fund amendnent. It is adopted.
1:00 a.m. Amendment by Guillen mandates that TxDOT adopt rules to allocate funds under general provisions of funding for public transportation in which the total amount appropriated for the Formula program is less the 90% and the Discretionary program is less than 10%. A provision is required to ensure that the specified programs do not receive less than allocated. Adopted.
1:02 a.m. Amendment by Davis of Dallas affirms that the Legislature’s intent is for the Texas Transportation Commission to approve funding projects that are geographically balanced across the state.
1:03 amendment by Frost would prohibit TXDoT from entering into contracts for any toll-related project that contains non?compete clauses.
1:06 Amendment by Burnam would require TXDoT to notify the Legislative Budget Board and each member of the Legislature of each waiver it intends to make that would waive any requirement of a toll?road entity to compensate property owners affected by projects. The notice would be required to be delivered to the LBB and each legislator at least 30 days prior to date on which the waiver would take effect. Acceptable to author. Has an amendment to Amendment.
1:08 Amendment by Darby would would decrease TWC General Revenue Dedicated
authority by $3,443,800 in FY 2010 and $2,405,179 in FY 2011. It would then increase Federal Funds authority in TWC Federal Account No. 5026 by $3,443,800 in FY 2010 and by $2,405,179 in FY 2011.
adopted
109: Amendment by Madden temp w/d’d.
1:09 Amendment by David that would prohibit funds appropriated to TXDoT in the budget from being used to contract with a foreign entity if the term of the contract is longer than 25 years.
[DFWRCC is posting the excerpts of Vince's live blogging/tweeting from yesterday's Texas House of Representatives debates and votes pertaining to transportation. Please visit Capitol Annex for Vince's play-by-play report on Texas House deliberations on Education and Criminal Justice.]
12:52 we’re back after a brief break.
12:56 amendment by Lon Burnam would require TXDoT to notify the Legislative Budget Board and each member of the Legislature of each waiver it intends to make that would waive any requirement of a toll?road entity to compensate property owners affected by projects. The notice would be required to be delivered to the LBB and each legislator at least 30 days prior to date on which the waiver would take effect.
12:57 amendment is temporarily withdrawn. Now to page 2 of supplemental packet no clue what that is. Unemployment fund amendnent. It is adopted.
1:00 a.m. Amendment by Guillen mandates that TxDOT adopt rules to allocate funds under general provisions of funding for public transportation in which the total amount appropriated for the Formula program is less the 90% and the Discretionary program is less than 10%. A provision is required to ensure that the specified programs do not receive less than allocated. Adopted.
1:02 a.m. Amendment by Davis of Dallas affirms that the Legislature’s intent is for the Texas Transportation Commission to approve funding projects that are geographically balanced across the state.
1:03 amendment by Frost would prohibit TXDoT from entering into contracts for any toll-related project that contains non?compete clauses.
1:06 Amendment by Burnam would require TXDoT to notify the Legislative Budget Board and each member of the Legislature of each waiver it intends to make that would waive any requirement of a toll?road entity to compensate property owners affected by projects. The notice would be required to be delivered to the LBB and each legislator at least 30 days prior to date on which the waiver would take effect. Acceptable to author. Has an amendment to Amendment.
1:08 Amendment by Darby would would decrease TWC General Revenue Dedicated
authority by $3,443,800 in FY 2010 and $2,405,179 in FY 2011. It would then increase Federal Funds authority in TWC Federal Account No. 5026 by $3,443,800 in FY 2010 and by $2,405,179 in FY 2011.
adopted
109: Amendment by Madden temp w/d’d.
1:09 Amendment by David that would prohibit funds appropriated to TXDoT in the budget from being used to contract with a foreign entity if the term of the contract is longer than 25 years.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Irby quizzed Arlington Mayor Pro Tem Ron Wright about danger of contamination to Pantego's Drinking Water in 2007
Excerpt from Arlington Texan - Oct. 21, 2007
Harriet Irby, of Pantego, became concerned when she learned of gas drilling in adjacent Arlington and Fort Worth. Pantego and DalWorthington Gardens rely on well water for their municipal water supply. At a League of Women Voters Gas Drilling Symposium in 2006 Faith Chatham quizzed Arlington Mayor Pro Tem Ron Wright about the danger of contaminating drinking water through the gas development process. Mr. Wright blew it off as not an issue stating "Arlington doesn't get its drinking water from aquifiers." Harriet Irby spoke up and stated: "But we do in Pantego!" Mr. Wright's response was: "Arlington is always ready and willing to sell water to Pantego!"
Not satisfied with that answer, Ms. Irby began visiting the City Manager and Mayor of Pantego, alerting them to developments in neighboring Fort Worth and Arlington. Dale Henry was always just a telephone call away, advising her and educating her on technical issues which she presented to the leaders of her town. At the time, neither DalWorthington Gardens nor Pantego had gas drilling ordinances. Both have developed some and are polishing them now. Pantego's plans include water testing to establish a baseline plus requirements that gas drillers pay for perodic testing of the water supply. "These are, however, only measures that address part of the danger." Ms. Irby is also concerned with depletion of the water supply through Gas drilling.
Gas is removed from the ground by a fracing process which utilizes millions of gallons of water. Gas drilling is an industrial process which has encroached into high density residential neighborhoods in Tarrant County. In rural western Tarrant County, Parker County and Wise County, some water wells have been sucked dry by the drain on the aquifier by gas drilling. Residential water usage is monitored but industrial gas drilling is exempted from water conservation caps. Current Texas law does not require that water usage for gas drilling be recorded and reported.
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