Andrade gets interim Texas commission chair in place of Ric Williamson

Texas Gov Perry has appointed Hope Andrade, a commissioner since 2003, as interim chair of the Texas Transportation Commission, the body that governs the operations of Texas DOT including its Turnpike division.

Andrade is a San Antonio businesswoman. Andrade seemed to manage to avoid the fierce policy controversies of 2007, so she is not known for any defined positions on policy matters.

She replaces Ric Williamson, who died recently.

Williamson took the brunt of attacks on tolling and toll concessions in the turbulent spring and summer last year when the state legislature completely rewrote the rules for tolling.

The Commission consists of five part-time gubernatorial appointees and acts in many ways as the chief executive arm of the department. Meeting monthly in public hearing it approves senior appointments, approves contracts and lays down policies for the department in minute orders.

Texas has no secretary of transportation. The Commission plays that role.

Sources say that on induction all commissioners have to swear to "Keep Texas Moving" - the TxDOT slogan.

TOLLROADSnews 2008-01-28