HOUSTON -- Houston's mayor and state Sen. John Whitmire reached an agreement about the future of the city's controversial Safe Clear towing program, after they held a secret meeting in Austin, Local 2 reported Wednesday.

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State Lawmaker Backs Down On Safe Clear

Whitmire will take his bill to kill the Safe Clear program off the table, meaning the state Senate will not vote Thursday, or anytime soon, about the future of the city's towing plan if the mayor keeps his word, according to Local 2.

Mayor Bill White flew to Austin Tuesday night and met with Whitmire to discuss their differences about the program.

"He and I sat down, one-to-one, and we had a good two-hour meeting to cover each and every detail," Whitmire told Local 2.

The deal they struck Tuesday night linked MAP -- Harris County's Motorist Assistance Program -- to Safe Clear. MAP is operated by the county and is funded through donations and grants.

SAFEClear Towing Program Information Motorists' Bill Of Rights One-Year Report Harris County Motorist Assistance Program AAA Answers Member Questions SAFEClear Article Archive SAFEClear Questions/Complaints: File SAFEClear Complaint Online Phone: (713) 308-2568 E-Mail: autodealers@cityofhouston.net IN YOUR OPINION Safe Clear Relieved Congestion? Your Thoughts On Wrecker Policy

According to Whitmire, the deal would double MAP funding and prevent the city from profiting from Safe Clear tows.

MAP would increase from nine to 19 vehicles to assist stranded motorists on Houston-area freeways. The deal would require coordination between Safe Clear dispatchers and the county.

Drivers could also request the presence of a law enforcement officer at a tow site, as part of the compromise.

Another condition says that the city cannot use revenue collected from the program for anything except mobility plans.

"I have no reservations about getting involved on matters that affect my constituents, especially on state highways and freeways," Whitmire said.

Whitmire believes the compromise puts the focus on mobility and safety since people will not have to worry about a tow because they ran out of gas or had a flat tire.

He also promised to sponsor a bill that would allow Houston the authority to fire wrecker drivers with criminal backgrounds.

More details about the compromise will be announced later this week.

Last Thursday, a Senate committee approved Whitmire's bill to kill Safe Clear. The bill would have prevented Texas cities from requiring vehicle tows without the owner's consent.

White said the Safe Clear program keeps motorists safe on the highways, but critics said the plan puts costly burdens on Houstonians and endangered drivers because of some tow-truck drivers' criminal backgrounds.

The Safe Clear city ordinance, which went into effect on Jan. 1, requires licensed tow-truck operators to remove disabled vehicles from Houston's freeway within six minutes.

Motorists are no longer allowed to change flat tires on freeway shoulders, leave vehicles to get fuel or call their own help. Towing companies who have contracts with the city charge $75 for the first five miles for disabled vehicles and $1.50 for each additional mile. The tow cannot exceed $124.

Drivers with flat tires, empty gas tanks and easy-to-fix problems not in main lanes of traffic are eligible for a free tow up to one mile, after council approved a change to the plan two weeks ago.