As I’ve traveled Texas’ 26th District during the August District Work Period, I’ve heard from North Texans spanning from Gainesville to Fort Worth and Frisco to Ponder. Health care reform has been the main topic of interest, but I’ve also heard from North Texans on federal spending, cap and trade and budget deficits. Read more

Construction has begun on a $17 million expansion of Rosedale Street in southeast Fort Worth. The two-year project will increase Rosedale from four to six lanes with medians along a 1.1-mile stretch between Interstate 35W and U.S. 287, according to a news release from the Texas Department of Transportation. Other features include drainage improvements and a new railroad bridge. The project is a partnership between the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County and TxDOT. U.S. Rep Michael Burgess said he... Read more

A News 8 investigation reporting on hundreds of mechanics who can't speak English or read the mandatory repair manual while working on commercial airliners made national headlines. Now, Congress is asking for changes in FAA rules regarding the English skills of mechanics. The News 8 investigation began with a look at the way aircraft mechanics are certified by the FAA and quickly discovered repair licenses being bought and sold. That discovery raised safety and terrorism concerns. It's not neces... Read more

I got a followup email from the office of Rep. Mike Burgess in response to my blog post of a few days ago on special transportation funding sought by the local congressional delegation. The congressman has added his list of priorities (also called earmarks) to his website. I let this sit for a few days, so rather than bury it in a previous post, I'll link to it here. By the way, check out the series of interesting comments to that earlier post from a reader named Center Stripe. This guy has to b... Read more

In a unanimous effort to enhance airline safety, the U.S. House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly (420-0) today to accept an amendment to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act, H.R. 915. The amendment was introduced by Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-Texas), and aims to safeguard FAA whistleblowers, protecting their rights to speak out when corruption or misconduct is alleged. “Ensuring the safety of our citizens is my first and foremost concern. My amendment will recognize the role whistleblowers play in creating a safe flying environment. Individuals in the FAA should be able to speak up and speak out when safety is being compromised Read more

While the vast majority of aircraft mechanics are well trained and competent, a News 8 Investigation found decades of problems with the way the FAA is certifying and testing aircraft mechanics. News 8 found that many people working on aircrafts in North Texas may not be able to read repair manuals because they can't speak English. Now, North Texas congressional representatives are calling for change in the FAA. Dozens of FAA inspectors and mechanics told News 8 FAA regulation on the repair proce... Read more

The economy. Healthcare. National defense. These are among the issues expected to dominate the 111th Congress, which convenes today. But local issues — from getting a ship named after Fort Worth to ensuring that a new Veterans Affairs clinic in Fort Worth opens in 2010 — will have their own time and place, legislators say. "I hope that we all work together," said Rep. Kay Granger, R-Fort Worth. Here’s a look at what legislators plan to push: Granger: She continues to work behind the scenes to ha... Read more

Federal and state leaders, frustrated by delays in expanding Interstate 35E through parts of Dallas and Denton counties, said Tuesday that a private contractor and tolls could be the keys to fast-tracking the project. U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess joined U.S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation Thomas Barrett and Texas Department of Transportation and regional officials in announcing that the 28-mile project to widen the interstate cannot be put off. Read more

A tanker truck accident last year caused one of the biggest backups in the history of Interstate 35E, which occurred just north of the Lake Lewisville bridge. With no way out, people sat in traffic for hours, which became an eye opener for many. Interstate 35E is the only link for 600,000 Denton County people to Dallas, and vice versa. That number is expected to rise to more than one million by 2030. Read more

Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-Lewisville), brought together top national and state transportation officials today to highlight the urgent need to improve and expand the existing Lake Lewisville bridge on Interstate 35. Bridge traffic is frequently backed up for miles, making the crossing one of the worst congestion hot spots in North Texas. The reconstruction project is still moving through the lengthy planning process. Read more