Texas to install 4,000 new phones in prison facilities

State's portion of revenue goes to General Revenue, crime fund

The Texas Board of Criminal Justice has approved a program that would allow more than 100,000 Texas prison inmates regular access to a pay telephone.

Agency officials note they will draw up proposals for bids as early as next week seeking a vendor to install and manage the inmate phones in the nation's second-largest corrections system.

Michelle Lyons, spokesperson for the TDCJ, said the enabling legislation for the program specified installing one pay phone for every 30 eligible inmates. The prison system currently houses about 155,000 offenders, and Lyons estimates about 120,000 will eligible to use the service.

"We will be installing about 4,000 phones throughout our system," she said. "They will be placed in public areas and all calls will be monitored. Prisoners will be allowed to make up to 120 minutes worth of calls each month, with a limit of 15 minutes per call. Currently, inmates only get one five-minute call each every 90 days."

She said inmates will be able to either call collect or use a prepaid calling card. Calls would be allowed only within the continental U.S. and could be made only to land lines, not cell phones. Phones will not be installed in prisoners' cells.

Valadez named assistant commissioner at DSHS

Dr. Adolfo Valadez (pictured) has been named the new assistant commissioner for Prevention and Preparedness Services at the Texas Department of State Health Services. He most recently served as medical director and health authority for the Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department.

Valadez will support and advise DSHS Commissioner Dr. David Lakey and other state leaders on prevention and preparedness issues on disease-related matters for which the state health authority is responsible. He also will oversee the department's role in the state's disaster preparedness and response efforts and its laboratory services.

Before joining the City of Austin, Valadez worked in Boston as the medical director of the Adult Clinic at the Martha Eliot Health Center, owned by Boston Children's Hospital. He also has served as an attending physician with Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, where he completed his residency. He received his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and his Master of Public Health from the Harvard School of Public Health.

Strategic Partnerships salutes Texas' Lone Stars

This week's salute is to Larry McKinney, Director of Resource Protection/Coastal Fisheries, Texas Parks and Wildlife

Career highlights and education: Ph.D. Texas A&M University, 1976. Smithsonian Summer Fellow, 1976; Research Associate/Instructor TAMU at Galveston, 1977-80. Director, Texas Environmental Engineering Field Laboratory: Galveston, 1980-86. Texas Parks & Wildlife Director of Resource Protection/Coastal Fisheries, 1986-present.

What I like best about my job is: One of the best aspects of my job is the diversity of challenges that I deal with every day. Endangered species, water rights, wind farms, wetlands restoration and fisheries management to name just some of the issues I have dealt with over the last two weeks or so as an example... It certainly keeps me on my toes and engaged. What keeps it a positive experience is the people I work with on these issues. I have over 25 years of state agency experience and I have had the opportunity to work with many agencies, both state and federal. I have not found a more dedicated group of individuals committed to the mission of the agency and conservation in general. It is very reinforcing and keeps the batteries fully charged even after 25 years.

The best advice I've received for my current job is: Understand that there are often a number of solutions to any problem and be open to exploring them even if you are initially skeptical. Such flexibility might well get you to the end you desire even if it is not the path you are most comfortable with.

Advice I would give a new hire in my office: Keep things in perspective. Do not be consumed by the challenges you face and remember you have a life outside the job. Keeping such a balance is often the best way to make sure that you occasionally step outside the woods and see the forest as a whole.

If I ever snuck out of work early, I could probably be found: Of course I would never do that, but if I did you would find me in my kayak on a river or at the coast fishing.

People would be surprised to know that I: Build and fly radio controlled airplanes.

Book, magazine or newspaper article I've read recently that really influenced my thinking: Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv is a book that brings focus to what many of us in conservation have intuitively known and worried about when thinking about the future. Louv's thesis is that today's children, the "wired generation' is losing touch with nature and outdoors. He links some of the most disturbing childhood trends: the rise in obesity, attention disorders and depression to this lack of linkage in a way that makes sense to those of us who have had that opportunity and want to make sure as many children as possible have that experience. I was so struck by what he has to say and how he presented it that I purchased copies for all of my senior staff and I give copies out on a regular basis.

Each week, the Texas Government Insider profiles a key government executive or decision-maker. If you would like to suggest a "Lone Star," please email us at editor@spartnerships.com.

Rockwell Collins awarded TEF grant for expansion

Rockwell Collins Inc. has been awarded a $1.67 million Texas Enterprise Fund grant to expand its operations in Texas. The company will lease 90,000 square feet of space to accommodate growth at its facility in Richardson, creating 334 jobs and investing more than $6.7 million in machinery and equipment.

Rockwell Collins designs, produces and supports communication and aviation electronics for commercial and military aircraft customers worldwide. The company supplies defense communication and defense electronic solutions to the U.S. Department of Defense, foreign militaries and manufacturers of military aircraft and helicopters. The Richardson operation will focus primarily on aviation electronics and communication systems for the U.S. military.

The Texas Enterprise Fund was created in 2003 to foster the growth of Texas businesses and create new jobs throughout the state.

Tollway official supports plan to speed up Trinity project

Paul Wageman (pictured), chairman of the North Texas Tollway Authority, pledged his agency's full support of a plan by the mayor of Dallas to complete the Trinity toll road by 2013 - a year ahead of schedule. The pledge was delivered at a summit of city, state and federal officials convened by the mayor of Dallas to help expedite the $1.7 billion project.

The Trinity River Project is intended to create a downtown park near the river channel, improve flood protection for downtown Dallas and neighborhoods to the south, and build a nine-mile toll road to alleviate traffic congestion. Tollway authorities said the construction timetable for the Trinity Pathway, the proposed toll way, could be compressed if the agency were allowed to proceed with designing the road while public hearings on its environmental impact were still being held.

Col. Christopher Martin, head of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Fort Worth District office that has regulatory authority over the Trinity River channel, reminded local officials that without stepped-up congressional appropriations, it would be difficult for the Corps to complete its portion of the project before its current scheduled completion date of 2014. The Corps is responsible for extending and raising the height of river levees that provide flood protection.

THECB accepts proposed college readiness standards

Draft standards regarding what students should know to be successful in college were approved Thursday by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The standards address the knowledge students should have in English, science, social studies and math. The October draft document must now go to the Texas Education Agency and the State Board of Education for approval.

The standards were required by legislation from the 80th Texas Legislature and were written by both high school teachers and college professors. Surveys conducted as part of the writing of the standards revealed significant student deficiencies among the four areas addressed in the report. Texas Higher Education Commissioner Raymund Paredes called acceptance of the report a "huge first step" toward ensuring Texas students are successful in college and then in the workforce.

Coordinating board officials are hopeful to see the proposed standards implemented by 2012. To view the draft report that was approved by the THECB, click here.

Border security funds await Border Council report

Law enforcement officials in several counties along the Texas-Mexico border say they are still waiting for their cut of $57 million earmarked for border security operations. The holdup appears to be the Texas Border Security Council named last year by Gov. Rick Perry to recommend how the state money should be spent.

The Texas Legislature dedicated $110 million last year to expand border security efforts, including $57 million tabbed for grants to local agencies and the Texas National Guard.

Alison Castle with the Governor's Officer said the Council in not on a firm timeline to make its recommendations for spending to the governor. The Council held a series of meetings in cities along the Texas border in October, taking testimony from local officials, law enforcement agencies and citizens regard border security needs. Cameron County Judge Carlos Cascos, chair of the Border Security Council, said last week that the report should be completed by late spring.

Conine named presiding officer of state housing agency

C. Kent Conine (pictured) of Dallas has been named presiding officer of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs Governing Board. The TDHCA is responsible for providing affordable housing, community and energy assistance programs and colonia housing activities. The agency also administers more than $400 million in federal grants, federal tax credits and mortgage revenue bond financing.

Conine is the president of Conine Residential Group and has served on the TDHCA Governing Board since 1997. He is a board member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas and Home and Apartment Builders of Metropolitan Dallas.

Also named to the TDHCA board to serve terms through 2013 are Leslie Bingham-Escareno of Brownsville and Tomas Cardenas of El Paso. Bingham-Escareno is the CEO of Valley Baptist Medical Center-Brownsville. Cardenas is president and CEO of ECM International, Inc.

Texas Clean School Bus Program helps reduce emissions

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TECQ) has reserved more than $5.8 million in grants under the Texas Clean School Bus Program for 39 Texas school districts to retrofit approximately 2,000 aging school buses with pollution-reduction devices.

About one-third of the state's 36,000 school buses are more than 10 years old, said TCEQ Chairman Buddy Garcia (pictured). Engine retrofits can reduce emissions as much as 90 percent, with costs ranging from $800 to $7,500 per device. An additional $6 million will be available in fiscal year 2009.

TYC replaces Crockett State School superintendent

The Texas Youth Commission has named a new superintendent for the Crockett State School in Northeast Texas. Mike Davis, former superintendent at the West Texas State School, will take over at Crockett.

TYC spokesman Jim Hurley said Jerome Williams, who took over at Crockett in May, is being reassigned to the central office in Austin.

Abbott approves funding for St. Mary's School of Law

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott (pictured) has awarded more than $100,000 to St. Mary's University School of Law to expand the legal services its consumer law clinic provides to South Texas residents.

Abbott hailed the university's "demonstrated commitment to local consumers" in announcing the award. "With additional resources, St. Mary's legal clinic can expand the availability of its high quality legal assistance."

The award is funded by the liquidation of Mark Nutritionals, Inc. In December 2002, the OAG took legal action against the San Antonio-based company for its widespread deceptive marketing and sale of unproven weight-loss products. After filing for bankruptcy, the case was converted to liquidation and Abbott was able to claim the remaining funds in the case for advance consumer law education in Texas. Both Southern Methodist University and the University of Houston have received similar funding. St. Mary's addresses the legal needs of low-income individuals in San Antonio and South Texas.

Lottery director Sadberry takes medical leave

Anthony Sadberry, (pictured) who became executive director of the Texas Lottery in June 2006, has taken a medical leave of absence and transferred a majority of his duties to a deputy.

Before taking the position of executive director, Sadberry also served on the Texas Lottery's board of directors. He was one of the first commissioners appointed when the agency was established in 1993. Lottery officials said Deputy Director Gary Grief has been given authority to make key decisions in running the agency while Sadberry is on medical leave.

TPWD's Sheldon Lake earns Green Building certification

The Environmental Learning Center at Sheldon Lake State Park near Houston, part of which is seen in the TPWD photo at left, recently became the first Texas Parks and Wildlife Department building to get a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, certified rating from the U.S. Green Building Council. Thousands of Texas schoolchildren visit the center each year.

TPWD architects and state park staff designed and implemented the center specifically to gain the LEED rating. Its design reflects a multitude of features that create a model environmentally friendly facility at the park. TPWD's Infrastructure Division is planning to use green design and construction concepts on other new or renovated department facilities across Texas.

The Sheldon Lake ELC has functioned since 1980 as a place for students to learn about pond and wetland ecology and habitats, all within 20 minutes of downtown Houston. Twenty-four existing former fish hatchery ponds were recycled to create the core of the learning center after the hatchery closed in 1979.

Blitz begins in support of San Antonio venue tax

Supporters of extending the San Antonio hotel and car rental tax are launching an aggressive campaign to convince voters to reauthorize the venue tax in a May election. The marketing campaigns, which will be directed by marketing firms in San Antonio and Austin, will target Spurs fans, art patrons and parents.

A political action committee, Athletics, Culture and Tourism for San Antonio (A.C.T.), was formed to take donations to pay the consulting firms directing the marketing campaign, said Joe Krier (pictured), former president of the Greater San Antonio Area Chamber of Commerce and the PAC's treasurer. A similar marketing campaign in 1999 to levy the venue tax spent almost $3 million in that effort that resulted in construction of the AT&T Center, which hosts the San Antonio Spurs.

County Judge Nelson Wolff said he expects opponents of the campaign, primarily auto rental companies, to spend $1 million to defeat reauthorization of the tax. Wolff said Spurs ownership has pledged to donate resources to pass all four ballot questions. The 1997 law creating the venue tax levies an additional 1.75 percent on top of the 15 percent collected by the city and the state. The rental car portion is 5 percent. This tax cannot go to roads or schools and must be spent only for public improvements that increase tourism or economic development.

San Marcos exploring wireless Internet system

The City of San Marcos is developing a wireless network that would provide every resident with Internet access and at the same time, save the city money. The service would cover the entire city, and cost more than $5 million.

Despite the price tag, city leaders believe they could recover the cost by making City Hall more efficient by using the wireless network. Officials say uses such as reading power meters over the Internet and having police officers write reports over the Internet to cut overtime hours writing reports at the station would save the city millions of dollars in the long run.

San Marcos Mayor Susan Narvaiz (left) said the service will be cost effective, more flexible and bring value to the city government, as well as opportunities for the business sector. City officials are still studying whether to charge users a fee or provide the service without cost.

Tarrant County College taps its contingency fund

Tarrant County College trustees on Wednesday approved $10.9 million from a $22 million contingency fund to build the first phase of the downtown campus. Trustees set aside $3.4 million of the $10.9 million for construction of a flood well in the Trinity River levee to protect piers supporting a pedestrian bridge and $7.5 million for other construction-related costs, some from a decision to cut two buildings from the $287.5 million project that is only 15 percent completed.

When questioned by trustees on whether the first phase will run out of money before completion, David Wells, TCC vice chancellor for operations and planning services, said cost overruns could deplete the contingency fund, require cutbacks or find more money for the project.

Construction began last year on the south side of the 38-acre campus spanning the Trinity River, north of downtown, but trustees are awaiting approval from the U.S. Corps of Engineers to build on the levee before starting construction on the north campus.

State approves SFA University's charter school

An application by Stephen F. Austin State University to open a university charter school during the 2008-09 school year has been approved by the Texas State Board of Education. SFA's James I. Perkins College of Education will operate the new facility.

Dr. John Jacobson (pictured), dean of Perkins College of Education, said the new charter school will become the only one in Texas directly linked with a research laboratory. The University of Texas at Austin is the only other Texas school to operate a university charter school.

SFA currently operates the NISD/SFA Charter School under an agreement with the Nacogdoches Independent School District. The new university charter school, which will be state funded and operate as a public school, will replace the NISD/SFA Charter School.

Company selected to perform high school steroid tests

The National Center For Drug Free Sport, a company that conducts drug testing for the NCAA, minor league baseball and other sports leagues, has been chosen by the University Interscholastic League to run Texas' high school steroids testing program.

The UIL will run the largest steroids testing program in the country, testing between 40,000-50,000 public school athletes by the end of the 2008-09 school year. UIL officials declined to say when the testing program would start, but it is likely to begin in the next few weeks.

Texas legislators approved the two-year, $6-million testing program last May after concerns arose that student-athletes may be taking illegal and potentially dangerous performance-enhancing drugs.

Committee to recommend city drop red light cameras

A number of Texas cities, concerned about traffic safety as well as enhancing revenues, have been moving in recent months to install cameras at busy intersections to catch red light violators in the act. However, Lubbock may be shutting its program down.

Lubbock's Citizens Photographic Traffic Signal Enforcement Commission has voted to recommend the City Council end the controversial program. The panel determined that the cameras are not making Lubbock streets any safer.

The committee's recommendation is one of two the City Council will hear at its Feb. 14 meeting. The other will come from Lubbock's Citizens Traffic Commission, which last year recommended the Council install the cameras. That panel has not yet decided on a recommendation.

ETA announces $10 million in energy job training grants

The U.S. Employment and Training Administration recently announced that $10 million in grants are available to address the shortage of construction and skilled trade workers needed to maintain and expand the nation's energy industry infrastructure. The grants are part of the President's High Growth Job Training Initiative to prepare workers for new job opportunities in high-growth, high-demand and economically vital industries.

Under the initiative, ETA identifies industries, evaluates the skill needs of the chosen industries, and funds local and national partnership-based projects addressing industry-specific workforce challenges using regional talent and economic development strategies. The programs also must prepare workers for jobs with career pathways in the industry.

Applicants may be public, private for-profit or private nonprofit organizations. Awards will range from $500,000 to $1 million and deadline for applications is March 25.

Rallo will chair higher ed competitiveness committee

Angelo State University President Dr. Joseph C. Rallo (pictured) will chair the Global Competitiveness Committee of the Council of Public University Presidents and Chancellors. Rallo will serve through fall 2008 when the committee will report to the Texas House Select Committee on Higher Education and Global Competitiveness.

The Texas Legislature established the select committee during the last session. Its charge is to examine issues in higher education to strengthen the state's global competitiveness.

Areas that will be examined include: trends in Texas higher education and their potential impact; accountability standards and benchmarks; strengthening regional support and its link with regional economic goals; increasing the number of adults receiving post secondary education; increasing the quantity, quality and commercialization of university-based research; assessing long-term capacity needs; creating a policy research mechanism to track attainment of goals; and assessing the effect of tuition deregulation and rates on rural and minority students.

El Paso studies adding lanes to Zaragoza Bridge

The El Paso City Council has approved a $1 million study on how to add more lanes to the Zaragoza Bridge between the city and Juárez, Mexico. It is one of five bridge-related studies by the El Paso Metropolitan Planning Organization, each costing $1 million or more, to find ways to deal with traffic congestion at border crossings.

At the same meeting, city officials delayed approval of a $1 million study to pinpoint a site for a new international bridge. Officials described the need for a new bridge to Juárez between the Bridge of Americas and the Zaragoza port of entry.

The new international bridge would link airport commercial parks to Loop 375 to already existing infrastructure in Mexico, said Susie Byrd (pictured), who represents District 2 on the City Council. The remaining 80 percent of the study by the Metropolitan Planning Organization would come from federal funding.

Roy Gilyard, head of the Metropolitan Planning Organization, said the Camino Real Border Improvement Plan study in 2007 concluded that improvements to the existing bridges would not add enough capacity to handle the increasing demands of traffic on the bridges. However, two council members Beto O'Rourke and Steve Ortega, argued the city could save money by improving current bridges, rather than building new ones.

Nueces County could expand its jail capacity

Nueces County is asking the U.S. Marshals Service for an increase of more than $16 per day for each prisoner housed by the county as it seeks to expand its jail capacity. Nueces officials are asking the Marshals Service to increase its reimbursement from the $45.15 per day, per prisoner negotiated 16 years ago to $61.49.

As the county jail approaches its legal capacity of 90 percent, commissioners are looking into renovating the vacant McKinzie Annex. The county wants to house minimum-security county offenders there to free up space for federal prisoners at the county jail, Sheriff Jim Kaelin (pictured) said.

The county has housed as many as 96 prisoners per day before the U.S. Marshals pulled them out in June 2006 over substandard conditions. Kaelin said until the McKinzie facility is renovated, county officials are considering using a 1,200-bed private jail managed by LSC Detention Services near Banquete that will open in February.

Fort Bliss contracts top $100M for El Paso businesses

Fort Bliss contracted for more than $100 million last year with El Paso businesses, according to the city's Economic Development Department. That is 66 percent of the post's state spending - with 80 percent of that total going to local small businesses.

Clark McChesney, director of the Team Bliss Transformation Office, said the money went for services, products and other things not directly related to the post's ongoing construction expansion.

Fort Bliss is the fastest-growing U.S. Army installation in the country and the Army officials say an additional 7,000 new military personnel will soon be moving to the area with their families. By 2013, the post is expected to grow to 37,336 personnel, almost triple the size it was in 2003.

Brownwood Council sets hearing on parks projects

The Brownwood City Council has set a public hearing for Feb. 26 to discuss a request by the parks committee to build new baseball, softball and soccer facilities, renovate a senior citizens center and construct a swimming pool and a recreational wellness center. The cost of the program would be $25 million, including architectural and engineering costs.

Last week, the Brownwood Economic Development Corporation approved a plan to allow the city to use sales tax proceeds to cover costs for a majority of the first two phases of the project. The tax proceeds allotted for the project cannot exceed $6 million over a five-year period. Following the public hearing, the council could call a May 10 election to seek voter approval for the use of the sales tax revenue for the project.

ECISD trustees call $49.8 million bond election

The East Central Independent School District near San Antonio has called a $49.8 million bond election for May 10. At the recommendation of district Superintendent Gary Patterson, the district's Board of Directors approved the election last week. Funds will go mainly to renovate the East Central High School campus.

The bond package, if approved by voters, will fund renovations to the high school campus, retaining the band hall, math and science building and athletic facilities. The main task will be the demolition of the main building and removal of more than 20 portable classrooms with new construction to provide more classroom space.

Baylor College of Medicine named NIH Diabetes Center

The National Institutes of Health has designated Baylor College of Medicine in Houston as a Diabetes and Endocrinology Research Center, providing the College with the resources to advance efforts in finding a cure for the disease that affects millions of people.

Joining the NIH network of programs will give Baylor up to $5 million over five years to accelerate its diabetes initiatives. Dr. Lawrence Chan (pictured), Betty Rutherford Chair for Diabetes Research at BCM, will serve as director of the center. Dr. Morey Haymond, professor of pediatrics, and Dr. Ming-Jer Tsai, professor of molecular and cellular biology, will serve as co-directors.

Baylor is the only NIH diabetes center in Texas, and one of only 17 in the country. As a member of the network, Baylor will collaborate with other centers across the country and act as a national resource on diabetes and diabetes research.

Aransas County ISD reviews capital improvements

The Aransas County Independent School District is studying its long-term facilities needs for all campuses in the district, with an eye toward a possible bond election. Associate Superintendent Joey Patek noted that the failure of a previous bond election means the district needs to consider repairs at all campuses and plan for the future.

A construction consultant recently toured the campuses to determine what is needed. The list includes approximately $180,000 for repairs to the auditorium, some $300,000 for the Fulton Learning Center and more than $600,000 for the high school. Overall, the consultant is recommending more than $2 million in repairs and improvements.

UNT Dallas appoints executive director of development

Joseph W. Breshears (pictured) has been named as executive director of development at the University of North Texas, Dallas. Breshears will oversee the campus' fundraising efforts and seek lead gifts to provide scholarships, academic program support and facilities for the creation of UNT Dallas.

Breshears was most recently executive director of development, director of planned giving, and general counsel for Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. While at the seminary, Breshears positioned the institution to manage its $100 million endowment and secured more than $10 million in planned gifts.

Fort Worth plans $150 million for street repairs

The City of Fort Worth is preparing a $150 million bond election to repair streets throughout the city. City residents will get a chance to voice their opinions about the plan at public hearings scheduled in the next two weeks, according to Transportation Director Robert Goode. The bond sale will go to voters May 10.

The bond issue includes $81 million for arterial streets, $33 million for neighborhood streets and $22.5 million for bridges, including $12 million toward replacing the West Seventh Street bridge outside downtown and widening it to accommodate a future light rail line.

The cost of road construction is climbing rapidly. After the last bond program, city staff estimated the cost of replacing a lane-mile at $500,000. Now, the cost is $700,000 and is projected to rise to $960,000 by 2013.

Texas A&M System Regents discuss appointments

The Texas A&M System Board of Regents continues its meeting today in College Station to consider a number of personnel matters. In executive session, the board will discuss a number of appointments, including dean of the Whitlowe Radcliffe Green College of Education at Prairie View A&M; provost and vice president for academic affairs at Texas A&M University-Texarkana; associate agency director and CFO at the Texas Engineering Extension Service; and interim vice chancellor for agriculture and life sciences at the Texas A&M System.

The board also will also discuss other appointments at Texas A&M, including: executive vice president for operations; reassignment of the vice president for development to the position of senior executive for development; reassignment of the chief marketing officer and vice president for communications to the position of chief marketing officer; vice president for marketing and communications; vice president for governmental affairs; vice president for institutional and federal affairs; vice president for development and strategic outreach; and the reassignment of the senior vice president and chief financial officer to the position of special assistant to the president.

Houston city council delays sports complex vote

After considering a plan to buy 80 acres in south Houston for an amateur sports complex, the Houston City Council voted to delay the vote for one week. Councilwomen Anne Clutterbuck (pictured) and Melissa Noriega asked for the delay after Clutterbuck said council members were not given adequate time to review details of the land transaction.

The proposed complex, located near Almeda-Genoa Road and Texas 288, is expected to feature 18 playing fields for youth and adult soccer as well as parking facilities and fields for other sports.

Henderson receives FEMA grant for civic center

The City of Henderson has been awarded a $1.05 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to build a new civic center. Federal officials said the money is being awarded for the city to make the center usable as a storm shelter.

The grant comes through FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, which provides money to states and local governments for projects that will reduce losses from disasters. The city has already raised about $3 million through private donations and a matching grant from the Henderson Economic Development Corporation for building the civic center.

City leaders have named 15 community members to a Civic Center Committee, which will oversee planning and construction of the building. All of the committee's decisions will be subject to final approval by the Henderson City Council.

HPU exceeds terms of Mabee Foundation challenge

Officials at Howard Payne University have announced they have exceeded the terms of a $750,000 challenge grant two weeks before the deadline. The $7.6 million challenge goal was made by the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation Inc. of Tulsa, Okla.

President Dr. Lanny Hall (pictured) said the grant, along with the additional funds raised, will allow HPU to begin urgently needed renovations and improvements on several key facilities. The university exceeded the goal by $100,000, and will receive the foundation's grant once construction begins on the projects.

The Mabee grant and additional funding will be used toward a set of key facility needs, including renovation of the Art Program Facility, improvements to the Faith and Life Leadership Center, building a Welcome Center on campus and increasing current gifts for scholarships as well as endowments for scholarships and academic programs.

Bond report suggests closing up to eight Dallas schools

The Dallas Independent School District Board of Trustees will decide next month on whether it will put a $1.28 billion or a $2.65 billion bond package before the district's voters later this year. A facilities report outlining the new school bond program recommends closing eight schools that the district recently spent $28 million renovating.

School officials said the renovations at the schools were part of a bond program approved in 2002, and were minimal upgrades needed just to keep the schools functional. The facility report given to trustees last week calls for building up to 14 new schools.

Craig Reynolds, chair of the advisory task force, said it is unlikely that trustees would push for the $2.65 billion bond package, opting instead for the $1.28 billion bond package. The report shows that the district faces two major problems: a major shift in population from the northern part of the district to the south, and almost half the district's buildings are more than 50 years old, with many badly in need of renovation or replacement.

Center formed to oversee continuing education at UNT

The University of North Texas has expanded its continuing education and outreach activities with the formation of the Center for Achievement and Lifelong Learning.

The Center will serve as the hub for all continuing education and outreach activities conducted through the UNT, said Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Wendy K. Wilkins (left). UNT Assistant Vice President for Lifelong Learning Ken Robertson (right) will lead the Center.

The new Center combines the resources of the Center for Continuing Education and Conference Management with aspects of the Professional Development Institute. Robertson, who also serves as the president of the Institute, said it will remain an independent entity under the umbrella of the Center. Wilkins said the Center will provide an opportunity for UNT to share its educational resources through conferences, seminars, online programs, summer camps and other types of community outreach.

EPA commits $25 million to border projects

The San Antonio-based North American Development Bank has announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will provide $25 million for projects along the U.S.-Mexico border.

The bank, which finances water, sewage, landfill and road-paving projects within the U.S.-Mexico border zone, and the Border Environment Cooperation Commission, which certifies projects, will receive $20 million. Another $5 million will go to water projects in El Paso and Brownsville.

NADBank Spokesman Juan Antonio Flores said the $25 million is considerably more than the initial $10 million in water and sewage grants recommended by the Bush administration last summer. He credits the border congressional delegation with securing the additional funding.

Spiller lone finalist for superintendent of Seagraves ISD

Kevin Spiller is the lone finalist for the position of superintendent of the Seagraves Independent School District.

Before moving to Christoval Independent School District as superintendent in May 2007, Spiller, a graduate of Angelo State University, served as superintendent at Clyde CISD for two years. Spiller said he will remain as superintendent in Christoval until a replacement can be found or until June 1.

The Christoval board will meet Friday night to discuss how to proceed with the search for a new superintendent, said board President Gary Stewart.

Traynham is new Fort Stockton assistant superintendent

Trustees for the Fort Stockton Independent School District recently selected Ralph Traynham (pictured) as their new assistant superintendent. He begins his duties on Feb. 11.

Currently a high school principal in Big Lake, Traynham has worked 28 years in Texas public education, having served as a teacher, coach, athletic director and principal at several school districts. His undergraduate degree is from Southwest Texas State University and his master's degree is from Texas Tech.

Rio Grande Valley nets $20 million in federal funds

The Rio Grand Valley has netted more than $20.2 million in federal funds to pay for eight South Texas projects to improve drainage, transportation and healthcare.

The largest appropriation, $10 million, will go to repair levees throughout the area and another $492,000 in federal funding will pay for expansion of Raymondville Drain by building a channel from northern Hidalgo County to the Laguna Madre in Willacy County. Brownville will use its $5 million grant to enlarge its water storage and supply by building and operating a new reservoir near the border. It also received funds to build a roadway connecting Veteran's International Bridge to the Port of Brownsville.

Harlingen will use $700,000 to extend FM 509 to improve traffic flow to the Valley International Airport. The Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge is expected to use $500,000 to buy more land and the Vannie E. Cook Children's Cancer and Hematology Clinic will expand with its $482,000 federal appropriation.

Edgewood District looking for new superintendent

The Edgewood Independent School District has begun a search for a new superintendent to replace longtime leader Richard Bocanegra (pictured), who plans to retire March 1. The Edgewood Board of Trustees has approved a statewide search and hopes to name a new superintendent by Feb. 26.

The search will be handled by district staff with the new superintendent starting in July. Bocanegra has worked for the district for 38 years. He graduated from EdgewEdgewood High School in 1965 and began working as an elementary school teacher in 1975.

He served as a principal at middle and high schools and landed a central office job in 1999. He held positions related to campus support services until becoming superintendent in October 2003.

SE Texas to receive more hurricane recovery funds

The U.S. Congress has approved $222 million in Community Development Block Grant funds to 32 Southeast Texas counties to help in recovery from Hurricane Rita, said Joe Higgs, representative of the Southeast Texas Interfaith Organization.

About $40 million was split between the three councils of government whose counties were affected by Hurricane Rita - the Houston-Galveston Area Council, the Deep East Texas Council of Governments and the Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission, which received $15.78 million from the grant.

Higgs reminded members of the Southeast Texas Regional Planning Commission of the role of faith-based groups in recovery efforts. He also urged increased rehabilitation of homes rather than rebuilding new homes with the block grant funding. Southeast Texas faith-based groups placed about 1,700 people back in homes after Hurricane Rita, he said. That was more than its original goal of 1,000 residents.

Don't overlook large state contracts on the horizon

By Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc.

A number of interesting public-private partnership contracting opportunities will soon be up for grabs in the state government arena. These projects involve business opportunities for prime contractors, subcontractors and historically underutilized businesses (HUBs).

These are some of the contracting opportunities whose bids will be announced soon:

• Health and Human Services claims processing for Medicaid - In the past, HHSC has used a claims administrator to pay Medicaid claims. It will soon rebid that contract seeking a vendor to process claims from health care providers. The contract is expected to have two parts - claims from doctors and hospitals and claims from retail pharmacies. The agency may award the two provisions to one vendor or may choose to award one part to one vendor and the other part to a second vendor.

Temple officials mulling over fire, rescue bond proposal

Temple City Manager David Blackburn (pictured) recently urged council members to considering calling for a $14 million bond election this year to pay for improving fire and emergency medical services protection.

The plan, developed by a consulting company, calls for a $7.4 million new central fire station with a training center, a new $4.9 million emergency operations center, a new engine for the new station and two replacement engines for existing stations. Combining the new station with the training and the emergency operations centers would benefit the city by increasing response time. He urged council members to consider calling the bond election in May or November.

Lone Star College facing $400 million in bonds

Some $400 million in proposed bond projects for the Lone Star College System have been proposed. Among the projects are: instructional facilities, $294.2 million; student services facilities, $47.7 million; academic support facilities, $15.8 million; administrative support facilities, $3.1 million; training center, $5.08 million; traffic and safety, $43.5 million; plant system replacements, $8.7 million; technology infrastructure, $25.9 million; and 4 percent bond costs/contingencies, $17.8 million.

The total price for the projects throughout the system is $467.1 million.

McKinney museum receives $100,000 for improvements

The Hillcrest Foundation has awarded a $100,000 grant for capital improvements to the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary in McKinney.

South Texas universities receives education grants

Two South Texas universities, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and Texas A&M University-Kingsville, have garnered federal grants to help prepare under-represented students for graduate programs and for research internships.

Texas A&M-Corpus Christi received $1.1 million and Texas A&M-Kingsville received $1.26 million from the U.S. Department of Education to fund the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program. The funding will be distributed over a five-year period and will pay for students to work in research laboratories and the doctoral program, said Susan Garza, an associate professor of English at A&M Corpus Christi.

Hutto ISD to use donation for its new field house

The Hutto Independent School District has been given $50,000 by an anonymous donor toward the construction of a field house in memory of a Hutto High School graduate killed in Iraq. HISD's Board of Trustees has voted to name the new field house the Kile West Memorial Field House.

West participated in football, track, baseball and power lifting while he attended Hutto High School, where he graduated in 2001. He was a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army. West, 23, was killed in action in Iraq on Memorial Day 2007 during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Shipp soon retiring
as Commerce city manager

Bill Shipp, who served five years as Commerce city manager, recently notified council members that he plans to retire on April 1. City officials expect to meet next week to discuss starting a search for Shipp's replacement.

Alamo Heights ISD begins search for superintendent

The Alamo Heights Independent School District is conducting a national search for a new superintendent. Current superintendent Jerry Christian (pictured) has resigned to become chief executive officer at Sunshine Cottage School for Deaf Children.

Christian's resignation is effective at the end of the school year. Kevin Brown, spokesman for Alamo Heights ISD, said board members plan to announce a decision on a new superintendent by March.

Three interviewed for new North Forest superintendent

The North Forest school board interviewed three candidates last week for the job of superintendent. After reviewing resumes in closed session, the board narrowed the pool from 33 to three applicants, and plans to name a finalist on Feb. 1.

North Forest ISD has been without a leader for 10 months after the previous superintendent's contract was terminated last March. The northeast Houston district is under state oversight because of chronic academic and financial problems.

Ysleta ISD names Parks
as interim superintendent

Roger Parks will return as interim superintendent of the Ysleta Independent School District on Feb. 1 following a vote by the Ysleta board of trustees.

Parks, who was interim superintendent in Ysleta in 2002, will not be a candidate in the search for a new superintendent. He will take over for Acting Superintendent Tom Miller, who replaced Superintendent Hector Montenegro, who accepted a position with the Arlington Independent School District.

Decatur ISD eyes possible $25 million bond issue

Officials of Decatur Independent School District are considering calling for a $25 million bond issue in May to pay for a new elementary school and other improvements to house a growing population.

DIST Superintendent Gary Gindt (pictured) said that $16 million would pay for a new elementary school and $3 million would pay for a new transportation facility. Remaining bond funding could pay for new technology, security needs at Rann and Carson elementary schools, renovations at Decatur Intermediate School or an indoor practice facility at Decatur High School. Board members are expected to decide at a Feb. 21 meeting whether for call for the bond election to be held on May 10.

Overton ISD selects
acting superintendent

The Overton Independent School District Board of Trustees has named Overton Elementary School Principal Jennifer Driver as acting superintendent. The board acted five days after Dr. Mark Stretcher resigned as superintendent, a post he has held since 2002. Stretcher resigned effective immediately on Jan. 14, saying he left for personal reasons.

Driver has been with the district since the summer of 2007, previously serving as an assistant principal with both Chapel Hill ISD and Lewisville ISD. Board members also voted to use the Texas Association of School Boards and an educational service to conduct a search for a new superintendent. They plan to meet with both groups on Jan. 28.

Interested in federal procurement?

SPI has added procurement consultants with decades of federal contracting experience.


Senior consultant Ed Emig (right), an expert in information technology, has 25 years of in-depth experience of selling to government at both the federal and state levels. He has created proposals for more than 30 federal agencies and has two decades of experience in working one-on-one with federal procurement officers. He also is adept at writing and negotiating contracts. Emig has assisted in developing federal sales training curriculum.


Craig Armstrong (right), another of SPI's senior consultants with federal expertise, has a history of winning new business, identifying opportunities and delivering record-setting sales within the government/military markets. He has been a senior business development manager and sales executive who consistently exceeded sales goals and won new accounts. Armstrong also has an enviable history of success in securing add-on business and capturing subcontract positions at the federal level of government.

For more information, contact Reagan Weil at 512-531-3917 or at rweil@spartnerships.com.

Taylor ISD to mull master plan for district facilities

Trustees of the Taylor Independent School District are examining a facilities' master plan which could lead board members to ask for voter approval of $43.5 million in bonds for a new high school and campus renovations throughout the district.

The Facility Advisory Committee plan under consideration recommends building a new high school near FM 973 and the U.S. 79 Loop, adjacent to the East Williamson County Higher Education Center. The committee also proposed renovating three primary schools, a middle school and the existing high school.

White Oak ISD trustees to consider facilities study

Trustees for the White Oak Independent School District are considering a study by a consultant who recommended replacing two campuses to reduce overcrowded classrooms and traffic congestion.

The facilities study found that the primary school is 19 percent over capacity, and the middle school and high school are becoming outdated. It also found the district currently needs five more classrooms, has limited room for expansion on existing school-owned property and has classrooms, laboratories and specialized spaces that are below state and national standards. The analyst recommended replacement or renovation of the high school built in 1975. He also said the district should consider replacing the idle school.

Recent Reports

• A Report on State Employee Benefits as a Percentage of Total Compensation
• HHSC Executive Commissioner Albert Hawkins' testimony before House Committee on Human Services, 1/24/08
• Senate Bill 10, Healthy Lifestyle Project, HHSC
• Preferred Drug List Annual Report FY 2006, HHSC
• Report on Senate Bill 1188, 79th Legislature, HHSC
• Report on Consumer Directed Services and Service Responsibility Option, HHSC, DARS
• SPI's Defense Appropriations Bill Earmarks Report
• SPI's November 2007 Bond Election Results Report

Event Links

• Texas Public Purchasing Assn. Spring Workshop 2008
• Texas State University Small Business Development Center training schedule
• Texas Distance Learning 11th Annual Conference
• TWC Texas Business Conferences
• LBJ School Professional Development Calendar
• Upcoming Executive Women in Texas Government events

Texas Government Insider Archives

Volume 1 - 5 Archives · 11/7/03 - 1/18/08

Manor superintendent
Mark Diaz resigns

Mark Diaz (pictured), superintendent of Manor Independent School District, resigned this week following a special school board meeting.

Diaz, whose contract would have run through June 2010, said he believed it was time for him to leave because the district appeared to be moving in a different direction. Diaz formerly served as an associate superintendent in Waco and superintendent of the American School of Pachuca in Mexico.

SPI opportunities

Healthcare consultants

SPI is in need of individuals with subject matter expertise and well-established credentials in the healthcare arena (particularly in the Dallas and Houston areas). Applicants should have well-maintained relationships and a strong background in healthcare, either as a former top-level decision-maker for a hospital (such as an administrator, CEO, CFO, COO, etc.), or through experience in other venues such as statewide hospital or healthcare associations or agencies that deal with healthcare entities throughout the state. To apply for these consulting positions at SPI, please send a brief cover letter and a copy of your resume to J. Lyn Carl at jcarl@spartnerships.com and put "Application for Healthcare Consultant" in the subject line, or for more information, send an e-mail to the same address.

$200 million initiative
to reduce violent crime

U.S. Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey recently announced that the administration is seeking $200 million in funding for a new Violent Crime Reduction Partnership Initiative. The $200 million initiative will support multi-agency task forces that allow law enforcement to focus efforts on serious multi-jurisdictional violent crime issues. This initiative will complement existing federal criminal justice programs by providing enhanced intelligence-led, data-driven, multi-jurisdictional responses to violent crime and gangs.

White Oak ISD official ponders another bond

The findings of a state facilities consultant could lead trustees of White Oak Independent School District to call for a bond election to pay for new school facilities, said Superintendent Mike Gilbert. A facilities consultant outlined his vision of the district's facilities need at a recent meeting.

Recently, voters rejected bond proposals to pay for a new elementary school media center, renovations to the band hall and a new field house. A $2.8 million proposition for a new wing at the elementary school won approval, but that project did not proceed because it was contingent on the district receiving a matching grant from the Instructional Facilities Allotment, he said. The district did not receive the grant.

TAMU business school to benefit from $3.5 million gift

The Mays Business School at Texas A&M University will benefit from a $3.5 million estate gift from TAMU graduate Paul "Buck" Eckels and his wife Sandra. The gift will establish need-based scholarship funding for business undergraduates.

Mays School interim dean Ricky Griffin (pictured) said the scholarship fund "will help ensure that deserving students will still be able to pursue a Mays degree regardless of their financial situation." Eckels said he is hopeful the gift will allow "ordinary kids" like him to attend school. Eckels is a commercial tree grower and former travel insurance company owner.

Governor's appointments

Gov. Rick Perry this week made the following appointments:

• Gerald Byron Alley of Arlington, Texas Public Finance Authority
• Arlene N. Marshall of Port Lavaca, Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority
• Frank Pagel of Tivoli, Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority
• Jim Powers of Dripping Springs, Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority

Speaker's appointments

House Speaker Tom Craddick this week made the following appointments:

• Salem Abraham of Canadian, Public School Accountability Task Force
• Rep. Diane Patrick of Arlington, Public School Accountability Task Force

Socorro supports regional transportation authority

The City of Socorro City Council recently passed a resolution supporting the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority bringing municipalities outside of the City of El Paso into the organization.

El Paso Mayor John Cook (pictured) last week briefed council members on the reasons Socorro should join the regional mobility authority. Cook noted that legislation passed last session allows the regional authority to expand the board to people outside of the city limits and guarantees that communities that join the regional mobility authority have a voice in funding projects.

Longview ISD discussing $267 million bond election

Longview Independent School District trustees are discussing major renovations to all but three of the district's schools. The district is exploring a $267 million bond proposal for the May 10 election.

The district bond steering committee is calling for consolidating 11 elementary schools into seven new campuses, additions to two schools, building three new middle schools and making some $35 million in additions and renovations at Longview High School.

The steering committee will meet again on Feb. 4 and is expected to finalize plans for the bond election and forward them to the school board for consideration.

Huntsville names Pipes
as interim city manager

Members of the Huntsville City Council on Tuesday approved a contract agreement with Gene Pipes to serve as interim city manager. Pipes, who served as Huntsville's city manager from 1981 to 2000, and as an acting city manager in the mid-1970s, took an unpaid leave of absence from his duties as curator of education at the Sam Houston Memorial Museum to take the position.

The agreement calls for Pipes to serve as interim city manager until the city finds a new city manager or until Aug. 30, 2008, when Pipes will return to his employment at Sam Houston University. Pipes replaces Kevin Evans, who left Huntsville to accept a position in the City of Maricopa, Ariz.

Sabo to serve as new Webster city manager

Wayne J. Sabo, currently planning director in La Porte, has been selected by Webster city officials to serve as that city's new city manager. Sabo will begin his new position on Feb. 11. He will replace Mike Jez, who resigned as city manager in November to serve as Webster's police chief.

Santa Fe could seek bonds for police station, library

The City of Santa Fe is considering asking voters to approve the first bond issue in the city's history to pay for a new police station, expanding the library and possibly a city hall.

Mayor Ralph Stenzel (pictured) said acquiring land for the projects is high priority because the city's population is expected to grow from 10,000 to 17,000 by 2035. City officials noted that parking is inadequate at the police department now located in an old fire station and that the Mae S. Bruce Library has no meeting space as computers were installed in the old meeting area.

Freeport picks Beverly
as new city manager

Freeport City Council members recently hired Gary Beverly as the city's new city manager. Beverly had served as the acting city manager when the previous city manager, Ron Bottoms, resigned.

Ore City ISD considering
$8 million bond election

A steering committee has recommended that the board of trustees for the Ore City Independent School District ask voters to approve $8 million in bonds to help solve overcrowding in their elementary schools.

John Markham, chairman of the steering committee, proposed that the district build a new campus to house 400 pre-kindergarten through third grade students on property away from current school facilities. Currently, all the district's facilities, its administration offices and all three campuses are located together along Rebel Road. A new campus away from the existing site would reduce traffic congestion and ease overcrowding, especially at the cafeteria which serves nearly 1,000 students from all grades, he said.

Even though Ore City voters have turned down all bond proposals for the past four years, Markham said he believes voters will approve this proposal because it contains funds for educational purposes rather than sports complexes and other types of projects.

Marlin names Pierce as interim city manager

The Marlin City Council this week selected Gordon Pierce, a former city manager in Terrell, to serve as its interim city manager. Pierce retired as city manager in Terrell in June 2007, after serving 10 years in that position. He also served as city manager in Nacogdoches and Jacksonville. Pierce received his bachelor's degree from the University of Texas in Dallas and a master's from the University of Texas in Tyler.

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The Texas Government Insider is a free weekly e-newsletter detailing important happenings throughout the state and summarizing current political issues relevant to individuals interested in government.

Publisher: Mary Scott Nabers

The Insider is published by Strategic Partnerships, Inc. (SPI), a research and consulting firm. Founded in Texas in 1994 by former government executives and public sector experts, SPI has developed a national reputation as the premier marketing partner dedicated to helping companies secure contracts in the $1.5 trillion state and local government marketplace.

To learn more about SPI services click here or contact our sales department at 512-531-3900.

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Texas Public Purchasing Assn. plans spring workshop

The newly formed Texas Public Purchasing Association will meet Tuesday through Thursday, Feb. 26-28, for its Spring Workshop 2008. The event will be at the Thompson Conference Center at The University of Texas at Austin. Legislative objectives and initiatives are on the Tuesday agenda with project management, construction Ts and Cs, alternative procurement methods for construction and contract management the topics for Wednesday. Thursday's agenda includes a session on "Winning Public Trust through Performance Leadership." For more information on the workshop, click here. To download a registration form, click here. To register online, click here.

Texas Distance Learning Assn. conference set for March

The 11th annual Texas Distance Learning Association Conference will be held March 24-27 at Moody Gardens in Galveston. Keynote speakers for the conference, "Sail Into Distance Learning," include Alan November, who will discuss the importance of how distance learning technology is used, motivational speaker Dave Carey and Gary Stager, who will offer real-life examples of educational technology learning. In addition to these speakers, the conference also will feature exhibits, breakout sessions, hands-on sessions, meetings and focused gatherings for not only distance learning professionals, but also those new to distance learning. To register, click here. For sponsorship information, click here. To view the conference program, click here.