An upcoming high-dollar luncheon featuring a panel of Texas Department of Transportation officials at Houston's Omni Hotel is drawing ire from community advocates who say the public should have free access to those in power.

The Houston-based Transportation Advocacy Group (TAG) is hosting its "State of TxDOT" chat Thursday with Laura Ryan, Texas Transportation Commission member, and Eliza Paul, TxDOT's engineer for the Houston district. Ryan and Paul will address "TxDOT’s incredible work for the last year and bold planning for the future," according to TAG's website. Tickets to the lunch and discussion cost $160 for the general public and $85 for TAG members.