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The Texas Water Development Board’s Dr. Hari Krishna talks to Capital Update about some important desalinization pilot projects and the boom in rainwater harvesting across the state..
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Ecologist Mark Simmons highlights the latest research at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center aimed at solving design problems with native plants.
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Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson discusses the boom in wind, geothermal and other sustainable energy projects.
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Gottfried talks with Capital Update about how climate change is one of the key drivers in the growth of the movement and the incredible return on investment with LEED certification.
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Hurricane Ike and the Softening Economy's Possible Effect on the 81st Texas Legislature
In part two of his Capitol Update interview, Harvey Kronberg looks ahead to the 81st Texas Legislature. Water issues, infrastructure and alternative energy will be major topics, but Kronberg says declining revenue and Ike’s recovery tab may keep significant bills on the back burner.
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Harvey Kronberg
Veteran Capitol Reporter
January 5, 2009 |
The Quorum Report editor Harvey Kronberg sees Hurricane Ike and the
softening economy dominating the upcoming legislative session. |
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The New Political Balance in the Texas Legislature Could Impact Infrastructure Legislation
Few people know the ins and outs of Texas politics better than Harvey Kronberg. He’s seen it all in his nearly two decades as editor of the online political newsletter “The Quorum Report.” In the first of two interviews with Capitol Update, Kronberg talks about how the November election and the new political makeup of the House and Senate might influence the upcoming session. With a great deal of political maneuvering expected in Austin starting in January and redistricting just around the corner, Kronberg says substantial bills making it out of the session may be few and far between.
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Harvey Kronberg
Veteran Capitol Reporter
December 2, 2008 |
Veteran Capitol reporter Harvey Kronberg predicts the new political balance in the Texas Legislature could impact infrastructure legislation. |
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What Texans Must Do to Ensure Enough Water for the Future
One of the state’s top water experts discusses what Texas must do to ensure there’s enough water for the future. Andrew Sansom, the Executive Director of the River Systems Institute at Texas State University, talks to Capitol Update about why water is the greatest issue facing Texans. Sansom discusses water issues in the upcoming legislative session, new water infrastructure, as well as projections about climate change and evaporation.
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Andy Sansom
Executive Director, River Systems Institute at Texas State University
October 14, 2008 |
One of the state’s top water experts discusses what Texas must do to ensure there’s enough water for the future. |
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The Role of RMAs In Meeting Texas' Transportation Needs
The Central Texas RMA was the first regional mobility authority created in Texas. Executive Director Mike Heiligenstein talks with Capital Update about the agency’s unique approach in completing its first project, funding challenges, Context Sensitive Design, as well as the use of Design-bid-build for its next project.
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Mike Heiligenstein
Executive Director, Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority
July 7, 2008 |
The Executive Director of Texas’ first regional mobility authority discusses the role of RMAs in meeting the state’s transportation needs. |
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Wind and Solar Energy Production in Texas
Texas is already the nation's top state in renewable energy production. With several more wind farms in the works, plans for new transmission lines and the cost of solar technology coming down, there will be no shortage of opportunities in the Texas renewable energy industry.
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Dub Taylor
Director, State Energy Conservation Office
May 30, 2008 |
State Energy Conservation Office Director Dub Taylor sees a bright future for wind and solar energy production in Texas. |
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Passenger Rail Projects Moving Forward
Regional passenger rail projects in Texas are on the verge of moving forward. Rail expert Tim Geeslin gives Capitol Update a report on the status of major passenger rail projects around the state.
The 2009 legislative session will be critical to get many rail projects off the ground that have been in the planning stages for years. Tim Geeslin has been involved in numerous rail advocacy efforts in Texas and has worked with the Tarrant Regional Transportation Coalition, East Texas Corridor Council and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison to build support for rail projects.
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Tim Geeslin
Rail Expert
April 4, 2008 |
Regional passenger rail projects in Texas are on the verge of moving forward. |
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Texas on the Verge of a Large-Scale Seawater Desalination Plant
February 18, 2008
The state may be on the verge of a large-scale seawater desalination plant.
The Texas Water Development Board’s Dr. Hari Krishna talks to Capital Update about some important desalinization pilot projects and the boom in rainwater harvesting across the state.
Dr. Krishna is a senior engineer with Texas Water Development Board and head of the agency’s Innovative Water Technologies Program, which also promotes rainwater harvesting.
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Dr. Hari Krishna
Texas Water Development Board
February 18, 2008 |
Can desalinization and rainwater harvesting help Texas meet its long-term water needs? |
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Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Helps Solve Design Problems with Native Plants
Utilizing native ecosystems is growing in popularity to enhance sustainability on a variety of projects across Texas and the nation. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is helping numerous governments and companies adopt these principles on projects ranging from landscape along new highways, flood control, new parks and green roofs.
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Mark Simmons
Ecologist
January 18, 2008 |
Ecologist Mark Simmons highlights the latest research at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center aimed at solving design problems with native plants. |
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Boom in Wind, Geothermal and Other Sustainable Energy Projects
Perhaps no other state leader has done more to put Texas at the forefront of sustainable energy than Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson. The Lone Star State is now number one in the nation in wind power generation. In this edition of Capitol Update, Commissioner Patterson talks about renewable energy development on state lands, including some recent high-profile projects with offshore wind and geothermal power.
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Jerry Patterson
Texas Land Commissioner
November 9, 2007 |
Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson discusses the boom in wind, geothermal and other sustainable energy projects. |
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LEED Certified Projects Don't Have to Cost More
David Gottfried is one of the pioneers in the rapidly expanding green building movement and establishing the LEED rating system (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). Gottfried talks with Capital Update about how climate change is one of the key drivers in the growth of the movement and the incredible return on investment with LEED certification. Also in this edition of Capital Update, PBS&J’s Chuck Croslin talks about working on the University of Texas’ first LEED certified project.
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David Gottfried
U.S. & World Green Building Councils
October 11, 2007 |
The founder of the U.S & World Green Building Councils says LEED certified projects don’t have to cost more. |
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Impact of the Minnesota Bridge Collapse on Infrastructure Improvement Projects
A 5-cent per gallon increase in the gasoline tax is one of the options lawmakers are considering to help fund an overhaul of the nation’s infrastructure.
There’s been a flurry of activity by governments on infrastructure repair, particularly in Texas, in response to the I-35 W bridge collapse in Minnesota.
Our guests in this edition of Capitol Update are two Texans who played a key role in the American Society of Civil Engineer’s "Report Card for America’s Infrastructure."
Dr. C. Michael Walton is the Ernest H. Cockrell Centennial Chair in Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin. Jack Furlong, P.E. is on the ASC's Region 6 Board of Governors.
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Dr. C. Michael Walton and Jack Furlong
University of Texas at Austin / ASCE Region 6 Board of Governors
September 14, 2007 |
Dr. C. Michael Walton and Jack Furlong discuss the impact of the Minnesota bridge collapse on infrastructure improvement projects. |
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Next Big Drought May Be Just Around the Corner
Texans should conserve the amount of water we have on hand now because the next big drought may be just around the corner.
Bob Rose, Chief Meteorologist for the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), talks with Capitol Update about signs pointing to a dramatic shift in the weather pattern that could lead to another drought.
After one of the wettest and coolest summers in Texas history, Rose discusses why the LCRA is already preparing for the next drought.
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Bob Rose
LCRA
August 10, 2007 |
Bob Rose, Chief Meteorologist for the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), talks about signs pointing to a dramatic shift in the weather pattern that could lead to another drought in Texas. |
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Roundup on the 80th Texas Legislature
Paul Burka gives Capitol Update his roundup on the 80th Texas Legislature. Texas Monthly’s Senior Executive Editor says the session was like no other he’s seen in his more than 30 years covering Texas politics. Burka sorts out the the winners and losers of the session, the outcome of the highway bill, and what happened with other important legislation. Plus, Burka predicts whether or not the Governor will call a special session.
Out of the estimated 6,000 bills the Senate and House filed for the 80th Session, Texas lawmakers passed just under 1,500 bills. Despite lawmakers filing more bills than they did last regular session, almost the same percentage of legislation was passed.
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Paul Burka
Senior Executive Editor, Texas Monthly
June 8, 2007 |
Paul Burka gives Capitol Update his roundup on the 80th Texas Legislature. |
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Priorities of the Texas State Insurance Commission
The 2007 hurricane season began May 31st but State Insurance Commissioner Mike Geeslin was actively working on windstorm related insurance matters throughout this year's legislative session. In this week's Capitol Update, Commissioner Geeslin talks about windstorm insurance, provides a big-picture understanding of what the Commission does and discusses the Insurance Commission's priorities.
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Mike Geeslin
State Insurance Commissioner
June 1, 2007 |
Insurance Commissioner Mike Geeslin talks about windstorm insurance, provides a big-picture understanding of what the Commission does and discusses the Insurance Commission's priorities. |
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TCEQ Public Image and Working with Mexico on Air Quality
H.S. Buddy Garcia talks to Capitol Update about his first few months on the job and his priorities as the state's newest TCEQ commissioner. Garcia won unanimous approval from the Senate nominations committee in March to fill the vacant seat on the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Commissioner Garcia discusses new air quality programs and the importance of good public perception for the agency.
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H.S. Buddy Garcia
TCEQ Commissioner
May 25, 2007 |
New TCEQ Commissioner's priorities include agency's public image and working with Mexico on air quality. |
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Toll Road Moratorium and Long Term Funding
John Langmore assesses the latest news coming out of the Legislature on transportation funding and the rail relocation fund. Langmore is an Austin-based consultant working on transportation and land use matters. As the Policy Director for the Texas House Transportation Committee during the 2003 legislative session, he played a principal role in drafting one of the most comprehensive transportation bills ever passed in the state of Texas. House Bill 3588 provided new powers for regional mobility authorities and new methods of financing transportation infrastructure.
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John Langmore
Consultant, Transportation and Land Use Matters
May 18, 2007 |
Transportation expert sorts out toll road moratorium compromise and long term funding. |
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School Construction Outlook Appears Bright
The focus this week on Capitol Update is the future of school expansion in Texas. The Texas Education Agency has a number of programs that impact school facilities. The agency’s Gary Marek sheds light on everything from the number of school bond elections statewide to a bill that would consolidate delivery methods for different government entities.
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Gary Marek
Texas Education Agency
May 11, 2007 |
TEA Director: School construction outlook appears bright. |
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Federal Funding, Gas Taxes and Toll Road Policy
Texas Department of Transportation Commissioner Ted Houghton sees population growth in Texas as only one important factor driving decision-making at TxDOT today. In this edition of Capitol Update, you'll hear his thoughts on topics ranging from federal funding to gas taxes to toll road policy.
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Ted Houghton
TxDOT Commissioner
April 26, 2007 |
A Step Back for Texas? TxDOT Commissioner Ted Houghton reflects on the current transportation policy environment in the US and in Texas. |
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TCEQ's Policies, Programs and Accomplishments
TCEQ Commissioner Larry Soward is our guest in this week's Capitol Update. He focuses much of his discussion on air and water policy work being done in the legislature and talks about the policy-making environment between TCEQ and other agencies, including the EPA. The agencies "e-government" efforts to improve transparency and access are also an important topic.
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Larry Soward
TCEQ Commissioner
April 20, 2007 |
Commissioner Larry Soward reflects on TCEQ's policies, programs and accomplishments. |
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Texas Water Development Board Priorities
In this issue of Capitol Update, Executive Administrator Kevin Ward discusses the population, drought and climate change challenges Texas is facing, and how the agency is positioned to respond. Senator Averitt’s legislative work on SB 3 is discussed, as is the Water Development Board’s focus on new technologies, conservation efforts and the agency's upcoming Water Summit to mark its 50th anniversary.
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Kevin Ward
Executive Administrator, Water Development Board
April 13, 2007 |
Kevin Ward discusses the Texas Water Development Board’s Priorities. |
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Private Road Contracts
Senate Transportation Chairman John Carona is leading a charge to rein-in private road contracts and is prepared to support a moratorium on private building if lawmakers aren't given more oversight of agreements. He maintains an indexed gas tax over time would be a more cost-effective way to build highways, and he expects the biggest private contract to be awarded thus far - State Highway 121 in North Texas - will be rebid.
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John Carona
Senate Transportation Chairman
April 6, 2007 |
Carona's Strategy to Rein-In Private Road Contracts |
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Speaker Protects Most of Budget for Development Funds
As House members debated and passed a $15-billion dollar budget this week, Speaker Tom Craddick prevented lawmakers from draining the Texas Enterprise Fund by declaring it a constitutionally-dedicated fund. Nonetheless, that fund, and the Emerging Technology Fund, emerged from the process with less money than Governor Rick Perry is requesting. Phil Wilson, the governor's deputy chief of staff, explains why the governor's office will continue to push for full funding.
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Phil Wilson
Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor Rick Perry
March 30, 2007 |
Speaker Protects Most of Budget for Development Funds |
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Eminent Domain Debate Heats Up
Lawmakers who limited the use of eminent domain in 2005 are squaring off for a second round of debates. At issue are further restrictions for when government entities could acquire private property, how land owners would be compensated and options for repurchasing their property. Scott Houston, the Texas Municipal League's Director of Legal Services, explains why eminent domain measures should not be part of a proposed constitutional amendment.
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Scott Houston
Director of Legal Services, Texas Municipal League
March 23, 2007 |
Eminent Domain Debate Heats Up - Cities Oppose Constitutional Amendment |
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Reservoir Legislation Advances
Senator Kip Averitt, Chairman of the Natural Resources Committee, says his Senate Bill 3 promotes water conservation, but that new reservoirs are needed to meet the state's future water needs. Sen. Averitt's legislation would designate 19 sites for new reservoirs. He is also asking for an appropriation of up to $78 million to help design and build water infrastructure through Texas.
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Kip Averitt
Texas State Senator
March 16, 2007 |
Reservoir Legislation Advances |
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PUC to Name Wind Energy Zones by July
The operators of the state's power grid predict that in August 2009 Texas will have a shortage of electricity. Paul Hudson, Chairman of the Texas Public Utility Commission, says mothballed plants and conservation can help fill the gap. Numerous parties are also lining up to invest in new sources of power generation. Wind power can be brought on line most quickly. In his interview with Capitol Update, Chairman Hudson outlines an ambitious timetable for designating official wind generation areas, and building a massive new transmission system.
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Paul Hudson
Chairman, Texas Public Utility Commission
March 9, 2007 |
PUC to Name Wind Energy Zones by July |
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Private Financing Doesn’t Hike Toll
Transportation Commission Chair Ric Williamson explains the role of private toll road financing for State Highway 121 and other new Texas freeways. He says it's a myth that drivers are charged higher tolls when roads are paid for privately instead of publicly. Commissioner Williamson says population projections are the reason he supports the Trans-Texas Corridor.
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Ric Williamson
Transportation Commission Chair
March 2, 2007 |
Williamson: Private Financing Doesn’t Hike Toll |
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Disclose Sale Price of Homes
Rep. Fred Hill, Chairman of the House Local Ways & Means Committee, says homeowners will receive fairer property tax bills if residential sales prices are made public. But Chairman Hill opposes property tax legislation in his committee that would reduce the appraisal cap. He's also preparing to battle an effort that would require local governments to get voter approval if they want to raise tax revenues by more than five-percent in a year.
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Fred Hill
Chairman, House Local Ways & Means Committee
February 23, 2007 |
Hill: Disclose Sale Prices of Homes |
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Increasing Edwards Aquifer Cap and Water Priorities
Capitol Update interviews House Natural Resources Chairman Robert Puente from San Antonio. Rep. Puente throws his influence behind raising the Edwards Aquifer pumping cap. He explains why environmental flows and conservation are his top two legislative priorities.
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Robert Puente
Chairman, House Natural Resources Committee
February 16, 2007 |
Puente: Increase Edwards Aquifer Cap and Water Priorities |
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Rail Relocation is Top Priority
Capitol Update interviews Texas State Representative Mike Krusee. His top priority for this legislative session is rail relocation. As Chairman of the House Transportation Committee, Rep. Krusee discusses ways the legislature could place money in an established fund that would pay for improving or moving rail lines.
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Mike Krusee
Chairman, House Transportation Committee
February 9, 2007 |
Krusee: Rail Relocation is Top Priority |
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