Changes

University of Houston

University of Houston

|religion=[[United Methodist]]}}

|religion=[[United Methodist]]}}

 

'''Ray Anderson Barnhart''' (January 12, 1928 – May 26, 2013) was a [[business]]man and [[Republican Party|Republican]] [[politician]], formerly from Pasadena in Harris County in [[suburb]]an [[Houston, Texas|Houston]], [[Texas]].​

'''Ray Anderson Barnhart''' (January 12, 1928 – May 26, 2013) was a [[business]]man and [[Republican Party|Republican]] [[politician]], formerly from Pasadena in Harris County in [[suburb]]an [[Houston, Texas|Houston]], [[Texas]].​

==State politics==

==State politics==

 

Barnhart's political interest began with two terms on the city council in Pasadena, which he describes at the time as "a lovely community but politically corrupt."<ref name=statement>Statement of Ray Barnhart, January 7, 2010.</ref> He and other businessmen worked to establish a mayor-council form of government to replace the city commission government then in place in Pasadena and first used in 1901 in nearby [[Galveston, Texas|Galveston]]. "We found it was hard to get good people to run for the city offices," he said. After two terms on the council, Barnhart ran unsuccessfully for mayor but was defeated by Clyde Doyle, a [[Democratic Party|Democrat]].<ref name=statement/> In Texas, municipal offices are technically non-partisan, and hence no party labels appear on the ballot. Barnhart recalls that a half dozen Pasadena officials were indicted in the late 1950s and early 1960s for public corruption.<ref name=statement/>​

Barnhart's political interest began with two terms on the city council in Pasadena, which he describes at the time as "a lovely community but politically corrupt."<ref name=statement>Statement of Ray Barnhart, January 7, 2010.</ref> He and other businessmen worked to establish a mayor-council form of government to replace the city commission government then in place in Pasadena and first used in 1901 in nearby [[Galveston, Texas|Galveston]]. "We found it was hard to get good people to run for the city offices," he said. After two terms on the council, Barnhart ran unsuccessfully for mayor but was defeated by Clyde Doyle, a [[Democratic Party|Democrat]].<ref name=statement/> In Texas, municipal offices are technically non-partisan, and hence no party labels appear on the ballot. Barnhart recalls that a half dozen Pasadena officials were indicted in the late 1950s and early 1960s for public corruption.<ref name=statement/>​

 

In 1972, Barnhart was elected to a two-year term in revised District 100 (previously District 24-6)<ref>Because of changes in district lines over the years, District 100 is now in Dallas, rather than Harris County.</ref> in the state House of Representatives, when President [[Richard M. Nixon]] and [[U.S. Senator]] [[John Tower]] were heading the state Republican ticket, along with the defeated gubernatorial nominee [[Henry C. Grover]] of Houston. Barnhart's House colleagues included Ray Hutchison (1932-2014) of Dallas and [[Kay Bailey Hutchison|Kay Bailey]] of Harris County. The two married during their common legislative tenure, and Kay Bailey Hutchison went on to the [[United States Senate]] in 1993, a post she held until 2013, with the accession of [[Ted Cruz]].  

In 1972, Barnhart was elected to a two-year term in revised District 100 (previously District 24-6)<ref>Because of changes in district lines over the years, District 100 is now in Dallas, rather than Harris County.</ref> in the state House of Representatives, when President [[Richard M. Nixon]] and [[U.S. Senator]] [[John Tower]] were heading the state Republican ticket, along with the defeated gubernatorial nominee [[Henry C. Grover]] of Houston. Barnhart's House colleagues included Ray Hutchison (1932-2014) of Dallas and [[Kay Bailey Hutchison|Kay Bailey]] of Harris County. The two married during their common legislative tenure, and Kay Bailey Hutchison went on to the [[United States Senate]] in 1993, a post she held until 2013, with the accession of [[Ted Cruz]].  

At the national level, Barnhart had supported [[Barry Goldwater]]'s ill-fated campaign in Texas against native son [[Lyndon B. Johnson]]. In 1975 and 1976, as chairman of the Harris County Republican Party, Barnhart was asked by Reagan to manage the [[California]]n's presidential primary campaign in Texas. Barnhart, then a [[United Methodist]], enlisted as co-chairmen Ernest Angelo, the mayor of Midland and a [[Roman Catholic]], and Barbara Staff, a party leader then active in the First Baptist Church of Dallas under pastor Wallie Amos Criswell (1909-2002). The campaign was so successful that the Reagan forces prevailed, 96-0, over President Ford, who had the backing of Senator Tower. Then four more Reagan delegates were chosen at the state convention. Barnhart recalled that wealthy Texas contributors were loyal to President Ford, but the Reagan forces had the "plain people" as voters and election workers. Barnhart said that he offered Tower and [[John Connally]], the former Democratic governor who switched parties in 1973 after having served as [[United States Secretary of the Treasury]] under President Nixon, delegate positions at the 1976 [[Republican National Convention]] in [[Kansas City]], [[Missouri]], provided they would agree to support Reagan for the first three potential ballots. The two declined Barnhart's offer and were hence not delegates to the convention. Barnhart chaired the Texas delegation at the convention.<ref>Billy Hathorn, "Mayor Ernest Angelo, Jr., of Midland and the 96-0 Reagan Sweep of Texas, May 1, 1976," West Texas Historical Association Yearbook Vol. 86 (2010), pp. 81, 86.</ref>​

At the national level, Barnhart had supported [[Barry Goldwater]]'s ill-fated campaign in Texas against native son [[Lyndon B. Johnson]]. In 1975 and 1976, as chairman of the Harris County Republican Party, Barnhart was asked by Reagan to manage the [[California]]n's presidential primary campaign in Texas. Barnhart, then a [[United Methodist]], enlisted as co-chairmen Ernest Angelo, the mayor of Midland and a [[Roman Catholic]], and Barbara Staff, a party leader then active in the First Baptist Church of Dallas under pastor Wallie Amos Criswell (1909-2002). The campaign was so successful that the Reagan forces prevailed, 96-0, over President Ford, who had the backing of Senator Tower. Then four more Reagan delegates were chosen at the state convention. Barnhart recalled that wealthy Texas contributors were loyal to President Ford, but the Reagan forces had the "plain people" as voters and election workers. Barnhart said that he offered Tower and [[John Connally]], the former Democratic governor who switched parties in 1973 after having served as [[United States Secretary of the Treasury]] under President Nixon, delegate positions at the 1976 [[Republican National Convention]] in [[Kansas City]], [[Missouri]], provided they would agree to support Reagan for the first three potential ballots. The two declined Barnhart's offer and were hence not delegates to the convention. Barnhart chaired the Texas delegation at the convention.<ref>Billy Hathorn, "Mayor Ernest Angelo, Jr., of Midland and the 96-0 Reagan Sweep of Texas, May 1, 1976," West Texas Historical Association Yearbook Vol. 86 (2010), pp. 81, 86.</ref>​

 

Barnhart himself was a Reagan delegate in Texas' 22nd congressional district, then including |Fort Bend, Brazoria, and parts of Harris and Waller counties. His side prevailed, 15,054 to 7,934 for the Ford forces.<ref>1976 Texas presidential primary returns, Texas State Library and Archives Commission, P.O. Box 12927, [[Austin]], Texas, 78711-2927</ref><ref>''WTHA Yearbook'', p. 81.</ref>

Barnhart himself was a Reagan delegate in Texas' 22nd congressional district, then including |Fort Bend, Brazoria, and parts of Harris and Waller counties. His side prevailed, 15,054 to 7,934 for the Ford forces.<ref>1976 Texas presidential primary returns, Texas State Library and Archives Commission, P.O. Box 12927, [[Austin]], Texas, 78711-2927</ref><ref>''WTHA Yearbook'', p. 81.</ref>

From 1975 to 1977, Barnhart was the Harris County Republican chairman. He was then state Republican chairman from 1977 to 1979, having succeeded Ray Hutchison, who stepped down to run unsuccessfully for governor in the primary against [[Bill Clements]]. Barnhart then worked to elect Clements, who secured a narrow gubernatorial victory over the Democrat John Luke Hill (1923-2007), the state attorney general and former chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court. As state [[Republican Party|GOP]] chairman, Barnhart was succeeded by Chester R. Upham, Jr. (1925-2008), an oil and natural gas businessman from Mineral Wells, who held the position until 1983.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.is/20120903181308/http://www.mineralwellsindex.com/homepage/local_story_025074142.html|author=Laci Morrison and Libby Cluett,|title=Upham's death mourned by local, state political leaders|publisher=''Mineral Wells Index''|date=January 25, 2008|accessdate=Aprl 6, 2019}}</ref>

From 1975 to 1977, Barnhart was the Harris County Republican chairman. He was then state Republican chairman from 1977 to 1979, having succeeded Ray Hutchison, who stepped down to run unsuccessfully for governor in the primary against [[Bill Clements]]. Barnhart then worked to elect Clements, who secured a narrow gubernatorial victory over the Democrat John Luke Hill (1923-2007), the state attorney general and former chief justice of the Texas Supreme Court. As state [[Republican Party|GOP]] chairman, Barnhart was succeeded by Chester R. Upham, Jr. (1925-2008), an oil and natural gas businessman from Mineral Wells, who held the position until 1983.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.is/20120903181308/http://www.mineralwellsindex.com/homepage/local_story_025074142.html|author=Laci Morrison and Libby Cluett,|title=Upham's death mourned by local, state political leaders|publisher=''Mineral Wells Index''|date=January 25, 2008|accessdate=Aprl 6, 2019}}</ref>

In May 1979, incoming Governor Clements appointed Barnhart to the then three-member (since five members) Texas Department of Transportation. He served on the Texas Turnpike Authority,<ref name=whow/> the state agency responsible for construction and operation of major toll facilities.. At that time, Barnhart left his position with the Barmore Insurance Agency in Pasadena.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=44068|title=Ronald Reagan: Nomination of Ray A. Barnhart To Be Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration, January&nbsp;20, 1981|publisher=Presidency.ucsb.edu|accessdate=January 9, 2010}}</ref>​

In May 1979, incoming Governor Clements appointed Barnhart to the then three-member (since five members) Texas Department of Transportation. He served on the Texas Turnpike Authority,<ref name=whow/> the state agency responsible for construction and operation of major toll facilities.. At that time, Barnhart left his position with the Barmore Insurance Agency in Pasadena.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=44068|title=Ronald Reagan: Nomination of Ray A. Barnhart To Be Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration, January&nbsp;20, 1981|publisher=Presidency.ucsb.edu|accessdate=January 9, 2010}}</ref>​

==Federal Highway Administration==

==Federal Highway Administration==

 

Barnhart served for nearly two years under Clements in the Texas DOT until Reagan offered him the directorship of the Federal Highway Administration in [[Washington, D.C.]] There Barnhart was known for his leadership, easy-going manner, and communication skills. In 1982, he fought to increase highway user fees for the first time in twenty-three years. He streamlined procedures, shortened delays, upheld the soundness of the Highway Trust Fund, and returned management authority to the states.<ref name=highway>{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528043701/http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/administrators/rbarnhart.htm|title=Ray A. Barnhart|publisher=Federal Highway Administration|date=July 3, 2003|accessdate=April 6, 2019}}</ref>

Barnhart served for nearly two years under Clements in the Texas DOT until Reagan offered him the directorship of the Federal Highway Administration in [[Washington, D.C.]] There Barnhart was known for his leadership, easy-going manner, and communication skills. In 1982, he fought to increase highway user fees for the first time in twenty-three years. He streamlined procedures, shortened delays, upheld the soundness of the Highway Trust Fund, and returned management authority to the states.<ref name=highway>{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100528043701/http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/administrators/rbarnhart.htm|title=Ray A. Barnhart|publisher=Federal Highway Administration|date=July 3, 2003|accessdate=April 6, 2019}}</ref>

Barnhart's seven-year tenure as FHWA director is still an agency record for longevity. Under the "New Federalism" proposals offered in 1982, Reagan sought to return many federal highway and mass transit programs to the states except for the interstate highway system. However, the Surface Transportation Assistance Act continued strong federal involvement in both highways and mass transit. Because of infrastructure needs, the law increased the gasoline tax by a nickel, the first such increase since 1959.<ref name=staa>{{cite web|url=http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/reagan.cfm|author=Richard Weingroff |title=In Memory of President Reagan|date=December 23, 2008|publisher=Federal Highway Administration|accessdate=February 1, 2010}}</ref>​

Barnhart's seven-year tenure as FHWA director is still an agency record for longevity. Under the "New Federalism" proposals offered in 1982, Reagan sought to return many federal highway and mass transit programs to the states except for the interstate highway system. However, the Surface Transportation Assistance Act continued strong federal involvement in both highways and mass transit. Because of infrastructure needs, the law increased the gasoline tax by a nickel, the first such increase since 1959.<ref name=staa>{{cite web|url=http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/infrastructure/reagan.cfm|author=Richard Weingroff |title=In Memory of President Reagan|date=December 23, 2008|publisher=Federal Highway Administration|accessdate=February 1, 2010}}</ref>​

 

On January 6, 1983, Reagan signed the Surface Transportation Assistance Act so that the United States could improve its paving and bridge commitments by the middle of the decade. The legislation devoted one cent (later doubled) of each nickel to establish a transit account in the Highway Trust Fund.<ref name=staa/>​

On January 6, 1983, Reagan signed the Surface Transportation Assistance Act so that the United States could improve its paving and bridge commitments by the middle of the decade. The legislation devoted one cent (later doubled) of each nickel to establish a transit account in the Highway Trust Fund.<ref name=staa/>​

 

Despite the need for highway improvements and increasing fuel prices of recent years, Texas has not raised its 20-cent-per-gallon gasoline tax since the early 1990s, and the diesel tax has been unchanged even longer. In 2008, Barnhart said that only twenty-three states had increased the fuel tax. In a letter to Democratic state Senator Kirk Watson of the capital city of [[Austin]], Barnhart said that the legislature, not the Texas Department of Transportation, is responsible for problems involving highways. "If the legislature had acted when I warned them fifteen years ago, Texas highway problems wouldn't be as critical as they are today. They [legislators] didn't have the guts to deal with the big truck lobby," Barnhart said in an interview. Barnhart said that 18 wheelers and other large trucks place excessive strain on state highways, but the legislature has not increased the diesel tax to maintain the transportation network. A $5 billion bond package Texas voters approved in November [2007] won't be enough to alleviate some of those problems because the state needs much more than that amount just to maintain its highway system.<ref name=txdot>{{cite web|url=http://www.lubbockonline.com/stories/021808/loc_248117883.shtml|author=Enrique Rangel|title=TxDOT traveling bumpy road|date=February 18, 2008|publisher=''Lubbock Avalanche-Journal''|accessdate=February 1, 2010}}</ref>

Despite the need for highway improvements and increasing fuel prices of recent years, Texas has not raised its 20-cent-per-gallon gasoline tax since the early 1990s, and the diesel tax has been unchanged even longer. In 2008, Barnhart said that only twenty-three states had increased the fuel tax. In a letter to Democratic state Senator Kirk Watson of the capital city of [[Austin]], Barnhart said that the legislature, not the Texas Department of Transportation, is responsible for problems involving highways. "If the legislature had acted when I warned them fifteen years ago, Texas highway problems wouldn't be as critical as they are today. They [legislators] didn't have the guts to deal with the big truck lobby," Barnhart said in an interview. Barnhart said that 18 wheelers and other large trucks place excessive strain on state highways, but the legislature has not increased the diesel tax to maintain the transportation network. A $5 billion bond package Texas voters approved in November [2007] won't be enough to alleviate some of those problems because the state needs much more than that amount just to maintain its highway system.<ref name=txdot>{{cite web|url=http://www.lubbockonline.com/stories/021808/loc_248117883.shtml|author=Enrique Rangel|title=TxDOT traveling bumpy road|date=February 18, 2008|publisher=''Lubbock Avalanche-Journal''|accessdate=February 1, 2010}}</ref>