Monday Morning Report
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Mark your calendar: The Executive Committee of the Austin-San Antonio Corridor Council meets Wednesday, August 19, 2:00 pm at the Council offices in San Marcos. RSVP to council@thecorridor.org.
The Austin-San Antonio Commuter Rail District’s Public Information Committee is scheduled to meet on Friday, July 31st at 10:00 am at the Corridor Council/Rail District office in San Marcos. Agenda
Infrastructure
State Representative Jim Dunnam (Waco) has asked House Transportation Committee chairman Joe Pickett (El Paso) to schedule an interim hearing of the Committee to study the Texas Railroad Relocation and Improvement Fund and specifically the potential uses of the $182 million appropriated to the Fund by the Legislature last session. A tentative date for the hearing is set for Sept. 17 in Austin.
San Antonio’s Mobility Coalition has scheduled their 5th Annual State of the District Luncheon for Friday, August 28, 2009 from 11:30am – 2:00pm. This year’s luncheon highlights TxDOT developments and accomplishments over the last year and into the future of the 12- county San Antonio District. Legislative leaders from the region will also discuss transportation funding issues, as well as the outlook for next session. Details.
The San Marcos Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring an annual Legislative Update luncheon featuring State Representative Patrick Rose and State Senator Jeff Wentworth on Thursday July 30th at the San Marcos Embassy Suites Conference Center. Details.
Hutto, the little community undergoing a nationally-recognized growth spurt due to the development of State Highway 130, has completed their 2010-15 capital improvements plan and it includes new water, wastewater and transportation infrastructure projects totaling just shy of $15 million. For a list of projects, click here.
VIA Metropolitan Transit announced its agreement with CPS Energy to become the first public agency in San Antonio to get 100 percent of its power from Windtricity. The agreement will supply VIA with wind power from turbines set up in West Texas for twelve months. Details.
The Austin Chamber sponsors a welcoming reception for new TxDOT District Engineer Carlos Lopez Thursday, August 7, 111 Congress, 5:30-7:30 pm in Austin.
Economic Development
According to Forbes.com, Austin’s economy is projected to grow by $5 billion by the end of 2010. Because of relatively subdued unemployment, the Texas Capital is poised for the quickest economic rebound in the nation. The top five cities for recovery are Austin; Fayetteville, Ark.; Boulder, Colo.; Huntsville, Ala.; and San Antonio. Story.
The US Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $1M to VIA Metropolitan Transit to upgrade its bus fleet. This move stands to create jobs, boost local economies, reduce diesel emissions and protect human health and the environment. The project will create jobs while protecting San Antonio area’s air quality.
New Braunfels city officials called for residents and businesses to show their patriotism honoring US soldiers and their families by displaying American flags. Retired Army Reserve Lt. Col. Raymond Trejo Rivas and Lance Corporal Brandon Lara both lost their lives while serving their country in the last few weeks. Details
"A jury consists of twelve persons chosen to decide who has the better lawyer."
(‘And they’re usually angry: they get paid $5 a day and it costs them $10 to park.’)
~ Robert Lee Frost
-Jack Crosby