Texas Sunset Report on Port of Houston Authority Released Posted on: August 3, 2012

100-year-old Agency Committed to Enhancing Economic Growth of Region

HOUSTON – Earlier today, the Port of Houston Authority received the Texas Sunset Commission’s staff review and recommendations regarding the Port Authority. The opening line in the report’s first paragraph reads “The Port of Houston Authority is not a broken organization, despite the image that may appear through the harsh glare of the media spotlight or a cursory reading of this report’s findings.” 

This document is available on the Sunset Commission website, www.sunset.state.tx.us, and the Port Authority has also posted the document to its website, www.portofhouston.com.

The Port Commission and staff are reviewing the report and the Port Authority has until August 17 to provide a formal response to the Sunset Advisory Commission. Any member of the public can also provide feedback on the Sunset staff’s recommendations through the Sunset Commission website.

“This report has validated the significance of our port, which has contributed to the economic growth of the region for almost a century,” said Executive Director Len Waterworth. “But as a 100-year-old government agency, we can always get better... and we will.”

The Port Authority anticipates considering and acting on these recommendations, to help improve its effectiveness, efficiency, transparency, and accountability. The Port Authority also commends the Sunset staff for the integrity, knowledge, thoroughness, and enthusiasm it demonstrated throughout the process.

The Sunset Commission will hold a public hearing in Austin on September 5. The Port Authority, as well as the public, will have the opportunity to provide testimony and additional information at that time.

The Port Commission and Port Authority staff will continue to work diligently in the upcoming weeks in its review of recommendations from the report. 

The review provided the opportunity for a comprehensive look at the Port Authority’s policies, procedures, and practices.  Port Commissioners and Port Authority staff worked openly and cooperatively with the Sunset Commission staff in its top-to-bottom review of the organization that began in 2011.

The Port Authority’s most recent impact study showed that more than one million Texas jobs are port-related, and that the Port of Houston overall generates $178.5 billion in total state economic activity and $4.5 billion in state and local taxes.

About the Port of Houston Authority

For nearly 100 years, the Port of Houston Authority has owned/operated the public cargo-handling facilities of the Port of Houston – the nation’s largest port in terms of foreign waterborne tonnage. The port has historically been an economic engine for the Houston region, the state of Texas and the nation. The port contributes to the creation of more than one million statewide and more than 2.1 million nationwide jobs and the generation of more than $178.5 billion of statewide and $499 billion of nationwide economic activity.

For more information, please visit www.portofhouston.com.

The Port of Houston Authority logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=720

CONTACT: Bill Hensel, Manager, Corporate Communications
Office: (713) 670-2893
Cell: (832) 452-5776
E-mail: bhensel@poha.com
       
Lisa Ashley, Director, Corporate Communications
Office: (713) 670-2644
Cell:  (832) 247-8179
Email: lashley@poha.com