Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Hank Gilbert releases transportation policy statement

October 29, 2009 | Dallas County Republican Examiner | David Smith

Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Hank Gilbert has served on the Board of Texans Uniting for Reform and Freedom in its efforts to lobby the Legislature and Texas Transportation Commission for substantive change in the State’s transportation system. And at a press conference today in Fort Worth Gilbert will discuss his transportation policy statement in his bid for the Office of Governor.

Democratic Gubernatorial candidate Hank Gilbert.

Gilbert’s policy takes as its base the report issued by the staff of the Sunset Commission in its review of TxDOT last year. There are a few changes to the Sunset report’s recommendations, but it remains substantially the same.

Where the Sunset report recommends the appointment of Transportation Commissioners, Gilbert takes includes recommendation by Democratic State Representative David McQuade Leibowitz of San Antonio. In legislation filed in the spring Legislative Session, Leibowitz suggested the election of 14 regionally-elected Transportation Commissioners with one statewide elected Commissioner who would act as the Executive Director of TxDOT.

Gilbert's transportation policy statement uses as its starting point the Sunset Staff report from its 2008 review of TxDOT, and seeks first to reduce congestion.

Gilbert’s transportation policy statement uses as its starting point the Sunset Staff report from its 2008 review of TxDOT, and seeks first to reduce congestion.

Gilbert also included stipulations seeking congestion relief as well as many recommendations similar to Sunset’s report pertaining to operations at TxDOT. One of the most publicized problems at TxDOT was the $1 Billion accounting error in which three departments accrued for the same expense. The chief individual responsible for this accounting error was later appointed as TxDOT’s Chief Financial Officer.

Gilbert’s policy statement calls for the CFO of TxDOT to report directly to the new Texas Transportation Commission as well as the Executive Director under the new system.

Gilbert’s staff worked late into the night Wednesday, holding a statewide conference call of contributors and staffers discussing the final draft’s merits and making slight changes before sending out to print and distribute to the press.