(Austin)--Improving Texas' transportation system will be the focus of Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Rylander's May 9 public hearing in Arlington. Because of the March tornado, the Comptroller postponed the original hearing scheduled in March. The hearing will run from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Transportation Board Room of the North Central Texas Council of Governments, 616 Six Flags Lane, Suite 200 of the Centerpoint Two building.

"Even with so many of us on the Information Highway, we must continue to improve our real highways we travel every day," Comptroller Rylander said. "Texans drive more than 16 million vehicles over 367 million miles every day. We want to find ways to improve the quality of our statewide transportation services, while maximizing the state's financial investment.

"This hearing will help us find ideas to improve the state's transportation system," Comptroller Rylander said. "I encourage folks to come out, listen to our experts and give us feedback on the issues they think are critical to improving the state's transportation system."

Comptroller Rylander will be joined by Massey Villarreal of Missouri City, e-Texas transportation task force commissioner. Panelists include James McCarley, executive director of the Dallas Regional Mobility Coalition, and Michael Morris, North Central Texas Council of Governments' transportation director.

The hearing is part of the Comptroller's Performance Review of the Texas Department of Transportation, as well as an effort to seek recommendations for Comptroller Rylander's e-Texas citizen commission. The commission is charged with developing recommendations to help Texas state government meet the challenges of the Internet age.

Those who cannot attend the hearing can make suggestions on improving the state's transportation systems at: www.e-texas.org.