Jim Dunnam - State Representative

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Jim Dunnam to Lead a Study on Toll Roads in Texas - (2010-03-24)
Representative Jim Dunnam Selected to Chair Important Transportation Subcommittee This week House Transportation Committee Chairman Joe Pickett announced the appointment of State Representative Jim Dunnam to chair a new subcommittee on toll roads. The subcommittee will study the policies and procedures used in the development of toll roads and make recommendations for future legislation. "Jim has extensive experience dealing with the issue of toll roads in Texas," said Pickett. "He really understands how Texans feel about them, and he has demonstrated a willingness to ask the tough questions; and now is the time for tough questions." Toll roads in Texas have been a major legislative issue since Governor Rick Perry announced his plan to build that Trans Texas Corridor (TTC) in 2002. In response to widespread public opposition, the Legislature placed a moratorium on Comprehensive Development Agreements (CDAs) - the type of contract used to build private toll roads like the TTC. During the 2009 session, the Texas Department of Transportation declared Perry's plan dead, and the Legislature banned new CDAs.
Read More ›› by: - 2010-03-24 comments Category: Transportation, Tags: Transportation, TxDot,

Jim Dunnam Announces Committee to Tighten Oversight on Stimulus Expenditures - (2010-03-18)
Jim Dunnam appoints Subcommittees on Education, Energy and Transportation As part of the work of the House Select Committee on Federal Economic Stabilization Funding, Chairman Jim Dunnam announced the formation of three subcommittees today to more tightly focus oversight on Stimulus expenditures in the areas of Education, Energy and Transportation. Representative Carol Kent of Dallas will chair the Education Subcommittee, which will include Representatives Garnet Coleman of Houston and Vicki Truitt of Keller. Representative Solomon Ortiz, Jr. of Corpus Christi will chair the Energy Subcommittee, along with members Jim Pitts of Waxahachie and Craig Eiland of Galveston. The Transportation Subcommittee will be chaired by Representative Drew Darby of San Angelo, and include Representatives Kent and Myra Crownover of Denton.
Read More ›› by: - 2010-03-18 comments Category: Energy, Transportation, Public Education, Tags: Energy, Transportation, Public Education,

Jim Dunnam Discusses Private Toll Roads - (2010-03-15)
Governor Perry Still Won't Give Up On Private Toll Roads You can't say that Perry isn't persistent. Despite criticism from constituents and legislators alike, Governor Perry still won't give up on toll roads in Texas. Perry's plan for the Trans-Texas Corridor led to public outrage and a legislative moratorium on private toll roads in 2007. During the most recent special session, the House sent a clear message to Governor Perry by failing to adopt House Bill 3, which would have allowed Texas to continue entering into Comprehensive Development Agreements (aka public-private partnerships) to build toll roads. With this action, we said: "No more private toll roads in Texas." But the Governor will not listen to our pleas. In a recent memo, Perry's TxDOT encouraged the federal government to continue aggressively funding a program called the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA). The memo stated, "…certain federal programs, such as the TIFIA program, should be funded with increased vigor." We closed the
Read More ›› by: - 2010-03-15 comments Category: Transportation, Tags: Transportation, Rick Perry,

Jim Dunnam Discusses Transportation Funding - (2009-11-20)

Op-Ed: How will we pay for new roads?

The just announced and long overdue expansion of I-35 to six lanes in Central Texas bears significance that cannot be understated. For everyone, it means safer and more efficient state and national infrastructure. For Waco and the surrounding communities in particular, it means local jobs and economic growth. During a time of clear and often justified frustration with government, it’s nice to have government be responsive to local needs. However, the announcement also highlights a big problem we face - Texas is rapidly running out of money for new road construction.

Our gas tax pays for Texas roads. Texas used to be “pay as you go”, meaning we only built what we could pay for at the time. In 2003, Texas started building roads with bonds secured by future gas tax receipts. The argument is that because of rising construction costs, it’s cheaper to build roads at today’s costs with tomorrow’s dollars rather than later when they are more expensive to build.