December 7, 2016      5:42 PM

TxDOT provides early preview of response to Sunset report

Chairman Lewis stands by his executive director James Bass, who says “we should not be afraid of feedback.”

Texas Transportation Commission Chairman Tryon Lewis reaffirmed his support for Executive Director James Bass as the agency heads into a difficult Sunset review meeting on Friday.

House Transportation Chairman Joe Pickett, D-El Paso, asked Bass and Lewis to be on hand for his committee meeting today to answer questions about the Sunset review. Bass is the latest in a revolving door of TxDOT executive directors, but former lawmaker Lewis, once more, reaffirmed Bass’ direction of the agency since he took his job on Jan. 1.

“The changes he’s making are enormous, and he’s doing a great job,” Lewis said.

The Sunset Commission raised questions about the ability of TxDOT to handle an estimated $80 billion it is expected to handle in construction contracts over the next decade. Pickett said he didn’t want to upstage Sunset Commission, but he had his own questions about the timely completion of the 2,000 or so construction and maintenance contracts let each year.

By Kimberly Reeves

Copyright December 07, 2016, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved