Today the Sunset Advisory Commission released the staff report concerning the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). 'I agree with the report’s central theme and believe control of transportation policy in Texas should lie with the Legislature,' said State Senator Kim Brimer (R - Tarrant County). 'Significant changes to TxDOT must occur from top to bottom before our citizens can once again trust the department and its policies.' This report is a first step in a long process which includes public hearings and agency response, and culminating in legislative action by the 81st Legislature.

Highlights of the Report:

• Establish a Transportation Legislative Oversight Committee to provide necessary oversight of the Department and the state's transportation system.
• Abolish the Texas Transportation Commission and replace it with a Governor appointed Commissioner of Transportation.
• Require TxDOT to undergo an additional Sunset review process again in four years, rather than the standard twelve year time period.
• Require TxDOT to redevelop and regularly update the long-range Statewide Transportation Plan.
• Require TxDOT to develop and implement a public involvement policy which will encourage citizens to voice their opinions and concerns over the future of our transportation policy.

Press Release

Senator Brimer remarked, 'I am truly humbled to receive such a significant award. Serving the people of Tarrant County has been my privilege during the last 19 years and working with the groups represented in the NASW is just one reason why.' - Press Release

'I'm pleased to appoint Senator Brimer as Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Economic Development. Senator Brimer's background as a successful businessman and a leader in the Senate make him the right choice to lead this committee and explore ways to strengthen Texas' already strong economy in the rapidly changing global marketplace,' Lt. Governor Dewhurst said. - Lt. Governor's Press Release

'The Environmental Flows Advisory Group was created by the passage of Senate Bill 3 during the 80th Legislative Session. The Advisory Group will study and make policy recommendations balancing the demand for increased water resources and environmental flows for the health of our state's rivers, bays and estuaries. The Legislature prioritized the state's river systems in order to develop recommendations and standards, the Trinity River will be one of the first rivers studied.' - Press Release from Senator Brimer's Senate Website

'Senator Kim Brimer's strong TAB voting record makes him a deserving recipient of the 'Champion for Free Enterprise' award,' said TAB President Bill Hammond. 'His commitment to economic development strengthens the Texas business climate, and as a result, our economic outlook and job forecast are among the best in the nation.' - Press Release

State Senator Kim Brimer (R-Fort Worth) and State Representative Corbin Van Arsdale (R-Houston), are urging Time Warner, Comcast, Charter, and other big cable companies to return to the negotiating table with NFL Network, the MountainWest Sports Network (The Mtn.) and other networks to work out an agreement in order to provide fans affordable viewing access to NFL, NCAA and high school football games before key late-season match-ups are not televised in most areas of the state.

'Fans are the real losers here,' said Senator Brimer. 'My county is about to be home to America’s team, but most Texans won’t be able to watch some of their most important games on TV. That is of great concern to my constituents and to fans across the state. Cable companies need to focus on giving their customers what they want --- which is football --- and they need to come to grips with the fact customers are paying enough already. Asking them to pay an extra $10 a month to see the most popular events on television is ridiculous.' - Press Release

'TCA's commitment to the arts and culture of Texas is an invaluable resource and we are appreciative to the Commission for supporting the arts organizations within District 10,' said Senator Brimer. 'The funding provided to these groups in our very own community will be put to great use and will contribute to the vitality of our region.' - Press Release

The Texas Society of Architects (TSA) announced today State Senator Kim Brimer of Fort Worth is among several non-architects who will be honored at the TSA annual convention October 18-20 in Austin for their contributions to the profession. - Press Release

'Texas took the lead nationally in telecommunications reform by passing this law,' Brimer said. 'That was a vital first step. But now we need to make certain the benefits of the law meet our expectations for billions of dollars of telecommunications companies' investment, thousands of new jobs, dynamic new technology and lower prices for consumers. And, we need to prepare enhancements in the law for the 2007 legislative session, to keep Texas in the forefront on this issue so important to our state's economic strength.' - Press Release

'National Cutting Horse Association signature events, held each year at Will Rogers Equestrian Center, will begin to realize the benefits of Texas Senate Bill 1253 at the 2006 NCHA Summer Spectacular, July 11-30. Thanks primarily to the new legislation, added money for NCHA’s three Fort Worth shows – the Futurity, Super Stakes and Summer Spectacular – will more than double to $2.4 million and total payouts could exceed $8.5 million... 'The cutting-horse profession is a big part of our city and our state. While this is statewide legislation that will help many folks host a wide assortment of events, I certainly had our cutting horse and equine competitors and friends in mind – they were the driving force behind the idea and the victory,' said Senator Brimer.' - Fort Worth Business Press

''Our highway and mass-transit development in the Metroplex is at a critical juncture,' said Brimer, a member of the Senate Transportation & Homeland Security committee. 'This hearing will provide an opportunity for us to focus on such issues as the proposed route for the Trans-Texas Corridor, high-speed passenger rail lines, and a solution to the Tower 55 bottleneck in downtown Fort Worth.'' - Press Release

'The Senate passed a bill Sunday night that would put more than $1.8 billion in new construction money to more than 40 state institutions, including the University of Texas at Arlington and the UNT Health Science Center in Fort Worth.

'UT-Arlington was authorized to issue about $70.4 million for an engineering research building, and the Health Science Center was given the go-ahead for a $42 million public-health education building.' - Press Release

'Three Republicans - State Senators Kim Brimer of Fort Worth, Kyle Janek of Houston and Kip Averitt of McGregor - have surged into the top 10 on the power list in the upper chamber for the first time. Brimer, whose promotion to the Senate came three years ago after 14 years in the House, vaulted from the 12th spot in 2005 to the number six position on the current list as a result of dual assignments he's drawn as the chairman of both the Senate Administration Committee and the Sunset Advisory Commission. Brimer's rapid rise to the new high station is a reward for the creative contributions he made in 2005 as the main brain behind a business tax plan that the Senate adopted as a potential way out from under the court's shadow on public school funding. Brimer's efforts landed him a seat on the conference committee that was appointed to try to hammer out a compromise on taxes with the House.' - Full List (Capitol Inside, requires subscription)

March 11, 2006 - Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst today named Senator Kim Brimer (R-Fort Worth) to the Joint Select Committee on Windstorm Coverage, which is assigned to review coastal property insurance issues. Sen. Mike Jackson (La Porte) and Rep. John Smithee (Amarillo) will co-chair the Committee.

In the event of another major hurricane, we must insure that Texas is prepared to deal with the economic devastation that follows' Brimer said. - Press Release

AUSTIN - Gov. Rick Perry today praised the Texas Tax Reform Commission for its work and said he wholeheartedly supports the commission's plan, which would provide a record $6 billion property tax cut while overhauling the state's antiquated business tax structure. - Governor Perry's Press Release

• TTRC Report [634KB PDF]
• Tax Commission's Draft Tax Reform Bill [276KB PDF]
• Tax Commission's Draft Tax Relief Bill [39KB MSWord]

'I look forward to working with members of the Senate and House to craft a plan that ensures compliance with the Supreme Court's decision, improves public schools, ensures that all businesses pay their fair share, and significantly reduces school property taxes,' said Senator Kim Brimer. - Press Release

The Texas Tax Reform Commission (TTRC), chaired by former Texas Comptroller John Sharp, will meet on Monday, March 13 at 10 a.m. The hearing will take place at the Wyndham Hotel, located at 1500 Convention Center in Arlington.

Senator Kim Brimer (R - Tarrant County) encourages all interested parties to attend the meeting and provide testimony. 'The commission will look at implementing a new tax structure that should be fair, broad-based, modern, understandable to taxpayers and competitive with other states,' said Senator Brimer. 'I encourage the public to attend this commission hearing so that your opinions may be heard on how we will address our property tax system as well as our outdated business tax structure in preparation for the upcoming Legislative Session on School Finance.'

Press Release

The Texas Association of Business has named Senator Brimer a "Champion of Free Enterprise" as a result of his "stellar pro-business, pro-Texas voting record".

Senator Brimer has been named to the following committees:

• Chairman, Sunset Advisory Commission
• Chairman, Senate Adminstration
• Finance
• Business & Commerce
• Transportation & Homeland Security
• Subcommittee on Emerging Technology and Economic Development

Sunset Press Release, Administration Press Release, Lt. Governor's Press Release, Sunset Web Site

Senator Brimer has been appointed to the State Preservation Board. The State Preservation board has a tremendous responsibility in overseeing the preservation, maintenance of the State Capitol, the Capitol grounds, and the Old General Land Office building.

'Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst announced today the formation of a Senate Select Committee on Education Reform and Public School Finance...Senator Florence Shapiro (R-Dallas) was named chair of the committee. Senator Kip Averitt (R-McGregor), Senator Kim Brimer (R-Fort Worth), Senator Robert Duncan (R-Lubbock), Senator Juan Hinojosa (D-McAllen), Senator Eddie Lucio (D-Brownsville), Senator Steve Ogden (R-Bryan), Senator Royce West (D-Dallas), and Senator Tommy Williams (R-The Woodlands) were appointed to the committee.' - Lt. Governor's Press Release

'Texas lawmakers tackled school finance, Child Protective Services reform, private school vouchers and abortion restrictions during the 140-day regular legislative session, which ends Monday. Certain rank-and-file House and Senate members led the way, shook things up or otherwise made an impact. Some of the movers and shakers of the 2005 Legislature are...' - Tyler Morning Telegraph

Honorable Mention given to Senator Kim Brimer (R, Fort Worth), for resolving the Senate deadlock over taxes.

'The Brimer amendment on the tax bill gave the Senate a realistic tool for conference negotiations while showing a way to close the escape hatch through which businesses have eluded state taxes at the public schools' expense. That landed him temporary work as one of the upper chamber's lead negotiators on HB 3. The vice-chair of the Intergovernmental Relations Committee, Brimer continued to push for the right of school districts to subsidize property taxes for companies that promise to invest in their local communities - and he passed bill to help communities attract special events by using portion of sales taxes they generate to offset some expenses. In his second regular session in the Senate, Brimer made a case for a place on the A team.'

From Capitol Inside - PDF File

State allows cities to back special events with taxes. The bill, guided through the Legislature by Sen. Kim Brimer, R-Fort Worth, will allow a portion of the state sales taxes collected from special events throughout Texas to be allotted to the events.

Governor Perry, Senator Brimer, and Representative Hupp are hosted a Conference on Aging On April 1, 2005. - More Information

The Legislative Session began on January 11th, 2005 and ended May 30th, 2005.

The TAA has announced its endorsement of Senator Kim Brimer for District 10. A press release from the TAA will be out shortly.

"A steadfast and compassionate commitment to senior issues at the state legislative level has earned Sen. Kim Brimer the honor of being named the 2004 Outstanding Citizen for Seniors..." - Link

As you know, the Fourth Called Session of the 78th Legislature will begin on Tuesday April 20th, 2004 for the purpose of 'considering excellence in public schools, public school finance and certain tax proposals.' - Press Release

Last spring the Board of Regents of the University of Texas System issued a statement outlining the U. T. System’s support of the development of The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) as a “top-tier” research institution. In this statement... - Link

Though a few months later than originally planned, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst has followed through with last year's pledge to monitor progress at the University of Texas at Arlington.

The University of Texas at Arlington is planning to expand its presence in Fort Worth with a 115,000-square-foot building with classrooms, labs and conference rooms.

On February 5th, the Texas Municipal Police Association decided to endorse Senator Kim Brimer for re-election to the Texas Senate. The TMPA represents over 10,000 peace officers and public safety employees around the state. - Endorsement

"The bottom line is this: Our region to the west is being cut short. We have to come together to protect our own interests. The Tarrant Regional Transportation Coalition is the key to the Tarrant County regions transportation future..." - Senator Brimer's Speech

Austin - State Senator Kim Brimer (R-Fort Worth) has been appointed to the Texas Legislative Council (TLC) by Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst. "An appointment to the Texas Legislative Council is a great responsibility and I am honored by Lt. Gov. Dewhurst's faith in my dedication to the operation of the Texas Legislature," Brimer said. "I look forward to working with Co-Chairmen Dewhurst and Craddick and the other members of the council." - Press Release

AUSTIN – The Texas Hospital Association’s state political action committee, HOSPAC, has endorsed incumbent Sen. Kim Brimer (R-Fort Worth) for Senate District 10. One of the largest hospital associations in the country... - Endorsement

Five-Member Business Consortium Partners with Tarrant County College for $509,220 Skills Training Grant from TWC - LocalNewsOnly.com Article - Press Release

Updates on the Tarrant Regional Transportation Coalition - Press Release

Statement from Senator Kim Brimer on the Announced Resignation of State Senator Bill Ratliff - Press Release

State Senator Kim Brimer Receives Legislator of the Year Award from the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT) - Press Release

Brimer Passes Legislation to Protect the Pensions of Local Police, Fire Fighters and Other Public Employees - Press Release

Text of Bill
SB 659 Filed - Press Release
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