Austin — The Texas Legislature adjourned a two-day special session Thursday, finishing two of the issues assigned to them by Gov. Rick Perry while a measure to allow the state to continue contracting for privately built toll roads never made it out of committee.
"Two out of three ain't bad," said Sen. Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls.
They passed bills to keep five important state agencies operating for the next two years and a measure authorizing the state to spend $2 billion in bonds to build new roads.
For weeks, state leaders said they would finish before the holiday weekend, even though special sessions can last up to 30 days.
"I'm delighted that we were able to finish in two days," House Speaker Joe Straus said, shortly after adjourning. Straus said lawmakers just didn't have the appetite for delving into complicated transportation policy during a special session.
The unanimously approved agency bill will save the Texas Department of Transportation, the Department of Insurance and three other agencies from abolition. That's because state law requires the Legislature to regularly review and reauthorize state agencies, but lawmakers failed to renew them during the regular session that ended June 1 because of partisan bickering.
Both chambers also passed a bill Thursday that authorizes the state to spend $2 billion in bonds to build new roads. The road bonds were already approved by voters statewide in 2007, but the Legislature still needed to authorize the spending.
House lawmakers added a provision that would prohibit the money from being used to turn existing free roadways into tollways.
The failed measure that would allow the state to continue contracting for privately built toll roads was an upset for Perry, whose office tried unsuccessfully to broker a compromise in the final hours.
Contracts known as Comprehensive Development Agreements have been used to finance, build and operate toll roads and other projects. But opponents of such contracts worry they take control away from local governments.
"With more than 1,000 people moving to Texas each day and a growing economy, improving transportation in our state continues to be a top priority of mine," Perry said in a statement. "I had hoped to reduce uncertainty regarding several major transportation projects across the state.
"Although the CDA bill did not pass, we will continue to work with legislators and local officials to find transportation solutions for our state."
Rep. Phil King, a Weatherford Republican, said he and others have been flooded with constituent e-mail opposed to the CDAs.
Sen. John Carona, chairman of Senate Transportation and Homeland Security Committee, says CDAs can be looked at again in 2011.
"No major project is going to be left behind between now and 2011," he said.
Associated Press Stories
Legislature hoping to wrap up special session
- Associated Press Stories
-
-
BP yet to make call on latest bid to stop Gulf oil
BP's latest experimental bid to plug its seabed oil gusher in the Gulf of Mexico hung in the balance early Wednesday as its top executive reviewed overnight tests before deciding whether to go ahead.
-
Space shuttle Atlantis close to 120,000 miles
Space shuttle Atlantis closed in on the 120 million-mile mark as its final voyage neared an end and its astronauts inspected their ship in advance of Wednesday's landing.
- Cleaning oil-soaked wetlands may be impossible
-
Frustration mounts as oil seeps into Gulf wetlands
Anger grew along the Gulf Coast as an ooze of oil washed into delicate coastal wetlands in Louisiana, with many wondering how to clean up the monthlong mess — especially now that BP's latest try to plug the blown-out well won't happen until at least Tuesday.
- Austin legislative hearing on Texas budget woes
-
Texas could adjust 22-student class limit
Some legislators want to look at adjusting the 22-student class-size limit for lower grades as Texas faces an estimated $11 billion budget shortfall going into the 2011 session.
-
Barrier-breaking jazz star Lena Horne dies at 92
Lena Horne, the enchanting jazz singer and actress who reviled the bigotry that allowed her to entertain white audiences but not socialize with them, slowing her rise to Broadway superstardom, has died. She was 92.
-
BP struggles with list of ways to plug Gulf gusher
Top hats and junk shots are on the list of possible next steps as BP, casting about after a 100-ton containment box failed, settles in for a long fight to stop its uncontrolled oil gusher a mile under the Gulf of Mexico.
-
Ala. researchers find oil chunks approaching coast
Dauphin Island Sea Lab researchers say they believe parts of the oil slick are closer to the northern Gulf coast than previously thought.
-
Bubble of methane triggered rig blast
The deadly blowout of an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico was triggered by a bubble of methane gas that escaped from the well and shot up the drill column, expanding quickly as it burst through several seals and barriers before exploding, according to interviews with rig workers conducted during BP's internal investigation.
- More Associated Press Stories Headlines
-
BP yet to make call on latest bid to stop Gulf oil
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Video of Ga. Man Who Killed Girl Released
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
