MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS
Monday, May 23, 2005
10:30 a.m.
Capitol Extension, Room E1.016
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Nominations
was held on Monday, May 23, 2005, in the Capitol Extension, Room
E1.016, at Austin, Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Jon Lindsay None
Senator Bob Deuell
Senator Gonzalo Barrientos
Senator Kevin Eltife
Senator Mike Jackson
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.
Senator Jane Nelson
*****
The chair called the meeting to order at 10:35 a.m. There being
no quorum present, the following business was transacted:
Chairman Lindsay recognized Senator Todd Staples to introduce
his constituent Robert Lee Nichols, nominee to the Texas
Transportation Commission. The chair asked the other two
commissioners to introduce themselves. Hope Andrada and Ted
Houghton both said a few remarks. Chairman Lindsay recognized
Senator Lucio who told the nominees he wants to hear where they
are going concerning needs in resources, transportation and
infrastructure.
The chair recognized Senator Eliot Shapleigh who made further
introductory remarks regarding his constituent Ted Houghton.
Senator Lucio continued addressing the nominees. Nichols told
the committee that the atmosphere is extremely positive now that
the legislature has put into place a significant tool for
expansion. Andrade said that she felt that it is important to
educate communities and has spent her time as commissioner
visiting and listening to communities all over Texas. Houghton
stressed that Mexico is our ally and that trade quarters are
shifting from California over through Texas to Mexico and up
through Texas, with Dallas and Houston playing a huge role in
the shift. Lucio asked whether we are receiving 90% of funds
back from the federal government. Nichols replied that our
takedown is currently around 85-86% of every dollar we send to
Washington. Lucio emphasized the importance of leveraging in
order to build tomorrow's roads at today's prices.
At 10:50 a.m. a quorum was present and the following business
was transacted:
Chairman Lindsay moved adoption of the minutes from the previous
hearings held on May 16, 2005, May 17, 2005, and May 18, 2005;
without objection, it was so ordered.
The Chair recognized Senator Nelson who told the commission
members that transportation was the number one most important
issue to her constituents.
Chairman Lindsay recognized Senator Eltife who asked that when
the commission holds a meeting, that those people who drove from
far away to attend be moved to the top of the agenda as a matter
of courtesy. Eltife added that it is a bad reflection on the
state when those people end up being on the bottom of the
agenda.
The chair recognized Senator Barrientos who, before leaving the
committee, requested that the members of the Texas
Transportation Commission be brought back after the adjournment
of the Senate. Chairman Lindsay said he was not inclined to keep
them there, Vice-Chair Deuell said that the nominees' presence
at the hearing happened for a reason. Nelson added that the
Senate might be close to a filibuster and that might not be fair
to keep the nominees. Lucio said out of respect for Barrientos'
request he would be shown as present not voting if a vote was
taken.
Chairman Lindsay asked for a motion, Eltife so moved and at
11:00 a.m., the committee voted by 5 ayes, 0 nays, 1 present not
voting and 1 absent to recommend Robert Lee Nichols, Esperanza
Aldrada, and Ted Houghton, nominees to the Texas Transportation
Commission, to the full Senate for confirmation.
Chairman Lindsay asked the Honorable Rex Baker to come forward
and announced that Judge Baker had provided the committee
members with his written response to written testimony from the
previous Nominations committee hearing.
Senator Nelson moved that a vote be taken on the nomination of
the Honorable Rex Baker to the State Commission on Judicial
Conduct. At 11:01 a.m., by a vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, and 1
absent the committee recommended the nominee to the full Senate
for confirmation. Senators Jackson and Lucio asked to be shown
voting aye.
Senator Nelson moved that a vote be taken on the nominees to the
Texas Residential Construction Commission. At 11:02 a.m., by a
vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, and 1 absent, the committee voted to
recommend Lewis Brown, John Klugh, and Scott Porter to the full
Senate for confirmation. Senators Jackson and Lucio asked to be
shown voting aye.
There being no further business, at 11:03 a.m. Senator Lindsay
moved that the Committee be adjourned. Without objection, it was
so ordered.
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Senator Jon Lindsay, Chair
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Jazen Wood, Clerk