Ogden, Pitts urge fiscal restraint
SPI/LBJ School Lege conference speeches highlight budget

The two lawmakers who lead the budget-writing committees in the Texas Legislature warned an audience of public sector executives and top staff members that the state's flourishing economy will complicate the adoption of a balanced spending plan when the legislature meets in January.

"The good news in Texas is…we're not broke," Sen. Steve Ogden (pictured, right) told a crowd of 300 Tuesday at the Fifth Biennial Pre-Session Legislative Conference. "The legislature is in as good a financial shape as it's been since I've been elected," said Ogden, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.

Ogden told attendees of the conference, sponsored by Strategic Partnerships, Inc. and the University of Texas' Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs, that when the Texas Legislature meets in January 2007, it will have what may be the largest budget surplus in the state's history - projected at more than $10 billion.

State Rep. Jim Pitts (pictured, below) chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, agreed in a later speech with Ogden's assessment, and also explained that the growth in state revenues has been accompanied by a growth in demand for government services. That, in turn, means that the legislature must be careful to preserve money for basic services like schools and Medicaid.

Pitts said he understood that many state employees were confused by a call by the state leadership to lower their budget requests by 10 percent at a time when the Texas Comptroller was predicting a $10 billion surplus for the next two-year budget cycle.

But, he cautioned, "actual spending demands" could possibly wipe out that rosy forecast and ticked off $9 billion to $11 billion in additional revenue that could be needed because of the state's surging population. Lawmakers will meet in January to write a budget for the next two-year budget cycle.

For instance, Texas schools will require an additional $3.5 billion just to handle the increased number of school children. "Those are actual kids in our classrooms. That's not pork barrel or anything," he explained.

Ogden pointed out that legislators must also live up to promises they made during previous sessions and that will require the use of some of the surplus. Last session, lawmakers passed legislation to cut school property tax rates for maintenance and operations from $1.50 to $1. It will take an infusion of almost $7 billion in state revenue to make up for those lost revenues.

To read the rest of this story, click here.

Transit cities seek to engineer sales tax shift

Several North Texas cities are endorsing a proposal aimed at leveling the sales-tax playing field between cities that have joined a rapid transit system and those that use their sales taxes for other purposes.

Some city officials believe that cities that joined the Dallas Area Rapid Transit authority more than 20 years ago - and committed a penny of their allowable sales revenues -- were left at a disadvantage in terms of economic development and community improvement.

In recent weeks, many North Texas cities have passed resolutions not only supporting the idea of the three area transit agencies - Dallas Area Rapid Transit, the Fort Worth Transportation Authority and the Denton County Transit Authority - working together to build regional rail, but also urging the legislature to exempt transit-dedicated sales taxes from the 2 percent local sales tax cap.

Carrollton Mayor Becky Miller said the proposal would put the cities on a more equal footing with tax revenues.

UT vice chancellor to resign

Robert Barnhill, vice chancellor for research and technology transfer at the University of Texas System, has announced he will resign Dec. 1. For the interim, his duties will be assumed by Arjuna Sanga, associate vice chancellor for research and technology transfer. UT plans a national search to find a permanent successor.

As vice chancellor, Barnhill worked on a high performance computing initiative that recently landed a $59 million grant from the National Science Foundation to build one of the world's most powerful computers.

HBU to inaugurate Sloan as president

Houston Baptist University will inaugurate Robert B. Sloan Jr. as its third president on Nov. 28.

Sloan, who previously held the position of chancellor at Baylor University following his service as president from 1995 to 2005, was elected president of Houston Baptist University in August.

In addition to his academic career, Sloan has served as interim pastor at 20 churches in Texas and Oklahoma. He has authored two books, edited several others and has been published extensively during his career.

TASB honors Hidalgo superintendent

The Texas Association of School Boards has named the superintendent of Hidalgo ISD, Daniel P. King, as Superintendent of the Year.

The Superintendent of the Year award is given annually in recognition of chief administrators who epitomize excellence in educational leadership. Under King's leadership, the Hidalgo district has made strides in dual language programs and encouraging high school students to begin earning college credits before graduation.

King attained his Bachelor of Science and his Master of Education degrees at the University of Texas-Pan American. He earned his doctoral degree at the University of Texas at Austin.

New chief starts at Galveston College

William R. Auvenshine, retired president of Hill College in Hillsboro, has begun work as the new interim president of Galveston College.

Auvenshine was one of four finalists who interviewed for the interim president position. He has 49 years of experience in education and replaces Elva Concha LeBlanc.

Three Texans earn national medical honor

Francisco G. Cigarroa, (pictured, right) president of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, and two Dallas researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center have been elected to the National Academies' Institute of Medicine.

Cigarroa, Dr. George Lister (pictured, center), a pediatrician, and Ellen Vitetta (pictured, left), an immunologist, were among 65 individuals inducted into the Institute of Medicine in recognition of contributions to the advancement of the medical sciences, health care and public health.

Cigarroa, who also is a professor of surgery, has been especially active in attempting to improve the level of health care education along the Texas-Mexico border through the university's Regional Academic Health Center. Lister, chairman of Southwestern's pediatrics department, has conducted research into how to care for children with inadequate oxygen flowing to their tissues because of heart and lung ailments. Vitetta' s research has centered on biochemical "smart bombs" that can seek out and destroy disease-causing cells.

The institute is a component of the National Academies, an organization that advises the federal government on science and medicine.

New federal ID rules for driver's licenses costly

New federal requirements for driver's licenses aimed at tighter security will be very costly to the State of Texas' driver's license bureau.

Judy Brown, chief of the Texas Department of Public Safety's driver's license division, predicted at a legislative hearing that the state will need to hire 700 new employees to accommodate the 4 million to 7 million Texans who will have to produce new documents for their driver's licenses.

The Real ID Act of 2005 requires all states to obtain specific identification documents and verify their authenticity before issuing driver's licenses and official state ID cards. It also prohibits states from accepting any foreign documents except a passport, and it requires states to verify that applicants are in the country legally. The project has been estimated to cost about $11 billion nationally.

States must begin implementing the new law by May 2008, and fully implement the program within five years.

Stephen F. Austin to get new education building

With tuition bonds recently approved by the Texas Legislature, Stephen F. Austin State University will soon begin construction of a new education research center on campus.

Tentatively named the Early Childhood Research and Development Center, the project will house the university's lab school and charter school as well as the offices and classrooms of the Department of Education. The center will be designed to accommodate anticipated growth in the education department and allow space for after-school programs, tutoring and counseling.

UTPB, UT-Tyler recognized by newsweeklies

Newsweek Magazine commended ther University of Texas Permian Basin recently for being "the UT campus with the most freshman-to-senior-year academic growth," as measured by the Collegiate Level Assessment (CLA).

And U.S. News and World Report ranked the University of Texas at Tyler in the top 15 public master's level universities in the west United States, its highest ranking ever in the annual report, UT Tyler President Rodney H. Mabry (pictured, left) announced.

UTPB president David Watts (pictured, right) noted that the school's pre-med graduates are accepted into Texas medical schools at a 78 percent rate vs. a 45 percent average for the state. It also had the third highest of public four-year institutions that place their graduates into employment or have them continue on to graduate school.

The UTPB business school is now ranked in the top third of U.S. business schools and its education programs produce students with a 99 percent pass rate for State Board of Education Certification tests, he noted.

EPA recognizes Central Texas green power buyers

The Environmental Protection Agency has recognized several Central Texas organizations as among the top green power purchasers in the country for using the most clean, renewable energy.

The city of Austin led the EPA's list as its top local government partner, with the Austin Independent School District and Round Rock Independent School District also listed in the top 10.

Austin-based Whole Foods was named the largest green power purchaser among retailers.

UTEP gets $1 million for border security studies

The University of Texas at El Paso will create a new research center to help secure the nation's Southwest border against terrorist activity while finding ways to ensure that commerce with Mexico and other countries remains healthy.

UTEP President Diana Natalicio this week said a $1 million federal grant will be used as seed money for the new Center for Defense Systems Research.

Retired Brig. Gen. Jose Riojas, the former commander of Joint Task Force-North, will oversee the center as UTEP's vice president for strategic initiatives. He said the center will be unique and will not duplicate efforts elsewhere.

Grants help truckers save fuel, reduce emissions

The Environmental Protection Agency 's SmartWay Transport Partnership program awarded a $300,000 grant to the North Central Texas Council of Governments to test new pollution reduction technology on local long-haul truck delivery routes.

The North Central Texas COG will use the grant to work with transport companies on 30 to 50 trucks to test the equipment, which typically consists of engine idle reduction technology, low rolling resistance tires, improved aerodynamics and exhaust after-treatment devices. In tests, these kits can reduce fuel consumption by 10 to 15 percent. They also reduce carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions 10 to15 percent. Kits with exhaust after-treatment devices can reduce particulate matter emissions by 25 to 90 percent.

TYC names two new directors

The Texas Youth Commission has selected Lemuel "Chip" Harrison and Stan DeGerolami as the two new directors of juvenile corrections. With two other directors, they will share responsibility for overseeing operations at all TYC institutions and programs, ensuring quality care and safe facilities for TYC youth and staff.

Harrison started his career with the TYC and has held a number of TYC positions in both the institutional and halfway house arenas. Harrison is credited with starting both of TYC's military-style training academies, serving as the first superintendent for each of the programs - the Sheffield Boot Camp in Sheffield and the Victory Field Correctional Academy in Vernon. Since 1999, he has been the superintendent at the West Texas State School in Pyote.

DeGerolami has more than 30 years experience in juvenile justice, including as the executive director of the Salvation Army Home for Girls in San Antonio. In January 1980, he joined TYC as medical/psychiatric caseworker at Giddings State School in Giddings. DeGerolami was TYC's first administrator of the department of sentenced offender disposition. He most recently held the assistant superintendent position at Giddings State School.

Durant's city manager to retire

Durant City Manager Paul Buntz recently announced his plan to retire after 22 years of service to seek other professional opportunities and spend more time with his family.

Buntz tentatively set his retirement date for Jan. 31, 2007, but stated that if the new city manager has not started his or her duties by early January he would consider extending the date for a brief time to allow the new city manager time to work with him during a short transition period.

America's firefighters to receive $485 million in grants

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently awarded $91.8 million in direct assistance grants to 860 fire departments and first responder organizations - including 43 in Texas.

Among the largest grants awarded in Texas were a $503,000 grant to the Angleton Volunteer Fire Department, a $273,125 award to the Kempner Volunteer Fire Department and a $252,000 grant to the High Island Volunteer Fire Department.

Since 2001, the department has awarded some $2.4 billion in grants to fire departments and first responder organizations, allowing them to purchase response equipment, personal protective equipment, vehicles and fund fire prevention activities. The grants provide resources for training, first responder health and safety programs, and response equipment and vehicles.

DHS received more than 18,000 applications for nearly $2.5 billion in grant requests in FY06.

TCEQ publishes public participation guide

Hoping to encourage the public to participate in its environmental permitting procedures, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) this week announced the publication of its Guide to Public Participation in Permitting brochure.

"This pamphlet is a handy, easy to use resource for anyone who wants to know how permitting is accomplished at the TCEQ, and how to participate," said Chairman Kathleen Hartnett White.

The free guide, which is being made available in both hard copy and .pdf download format, and in both English and Spanish, reviews how the public can take part in the permitting process regarding water quality, waste and air applications. Sections include the administrative and technical review, how to submit comments, receive public notices, request a public meeting and file a contested case hearing under Texas law. The Public Participation in Permitting brochure is available online, at the TCEQ publications Web site, as well as through the TCEQ Office of Public Assistance, 1-800-687-4040.

Hambrick to lead Sherman schools

The Sherman Independent School District Board of Trustees on Monday approved a three-year contract hiring interim Superintendent Al Hambrick on a permanent basis.

No other applications were received during the 10-day application period, said Board President Sue Frazier.

AEDs may be on hand at Texas schools by next year

Prompted by the deaths of several school children involved in extracurricular activities, Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst this week said he hopes to require automated external defibrillators (AED) on Texas campuses by the start of the next school year.

An automated external defibrillator (AED) is a portable device that detects irregular heart rhythms and delivers a calculated shock to the heart of someone in cardiac distress.

Dewhurst plans to fund the acquisition of AED's for all of the 8,000 public schools with federal grants and public-private partnerships.

Perry creates a new healthcare initiative

Governor Rick Perry this week issued an executive order creating a new authority to oversee a secure medical records system that can provide health information, inform the public on the quality and price of healthcare goods and services and lower health insurance prices for small businesses.

The Texas Health Care System Integrity Authority will provide timely information about patients' ailments and medical history and prevent costly and unnecessary testing, Perry said.

Cities seeking uniform rules for red light camera programs

A conference next week in San Antonio may provide a forum for Texas cities using red light cameras for traffic enforcement to come to an agreement on uniform rules.

The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE District 9) will be holding The Texas Red Light Photo Enforcement Symposium Oct. 20 to provide information on the basics of the red light camera program setup, which may provide an opportunity for cities to come to an agreement on ordinances.

In Texas, state laws do not govern the use of red light cameras. As a result city managers have been stressing the need for consistency between the systems across the state. Bruce Glasscock, Assistant City Manager for Public Safety in Plano, said that it is important that individuals don't encounter different rules and regulations as they travel between cities.

Building good relationships with lawmakers stressed

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

Good communication: It's a matter of survival.

That was the overarching theme of this week's day-long Fifth Biennial Pre-Session Legislative Conference, co-sponsored by Strategic Partnerships, Inc., and the LBJ School of Public Affairs. Attended by about 300 government executives and top staff members, the conference was designed to prepare state and local public sector employees for the 80th session of the Texas Legislature.

Veteran lawmakers, key leadership staff members and even a former statewide elected public official all pointed out how critical it is for state agency and other government personnel to be attentive to communications with not only the legislature, but the staff of ancillary entities, like the Sunset Commission and the Legislative Budget Board.

As House Appropriations chairman Jim Pitts put it: "This is a joint effort. We have to do this together and we want to do the right thing."

And former Comptroller John Sharp reminded the audience of what, at least in Texas government, might be called the Eleventh Commandment: Don't surprise elected officials.

With so many time demands on agency personnel, it's easy to see how important information might not always be conveyed in clear terms in a timely manner - or to the right person. Speakers stressed, however, that state agencies and other organizations should be very intentional about communication with the legislature. The importance of understanding the unique personalities and processes that shape the state budget was also stressed throughout the day.

For example, John O'Brien, deputy director of the Legislative Budget Board, noted that many key decisions on state spending occur late in the session, during nocturnal conference committee negotiations. Often, only a few conference committee members - and a lone LBB staffer - are present. Imagine what happens if someone has a question about a particular agency's funding request, and no one in the room, not even the LBB budget analyst, understands its importance. The agency will suffer - that much is guaranteed.

Deputy Comptroller Billy Hamilton urged the group to head off potential conflicts early, and advised that sitting down face to face can often rescue relationships gone awry. On one occasion, he said, he learned a key lawmaker was unhappy with his office, so he arrived early the next morning at the member's Capitol suite. An honest, respectful conversation helped repair the damage. And it helped that he acted promptly, and didn't allow the situation to fester.

State Auditor John Keel noted that he personally reads management responses to reports written by his office, and said he appreciates the feedback his office receives. Sunset Commission Director Joey Longley cautioned against letting personalities or preconceived ideas get in the way of working toward common goals. As he joked: "We didn't pick you and you didn't pick us, so get over it."

A legislative session brings together a wide range of personalities and political perspectives with a mandate to make pressing, complex public policy - and it all happens with a clock ticking. No wonder tension mounts as the calendar gets closer to Sine Die.

Go ahead and stock up on the Advil and Alka Seltzer, but remember that the best remedy for session anxiety is really good communication.

Harris County District Clerk honored

The Houston Association of Legal Professionals presented Harris County District Clerk Charles Bacarisse with the Scales of Justice award. The award is given to individuals who have substantially improved the quality of legal service.

Stephanie Burns, president of the association, said Bacarisse was chosen for the award because of his work overhauling the Harris County jury handling system, which saved time with automation.

Ronnie Piper joins SPI

Ronnie Piper has joined Strategic Partnerships, Inc., to assist with communications and research. Piper holds a bachelor's degree in organizational communications from Texas State University in San Marcos and will complete his master's degree in organizational communications and mass communications at Texas State in May 2007.

Piper also earned an Associate of Arts degree from Lee College in Baytown, where he served as editor of the college's Arts and Entertainment magazine and was an award-winning Journalism Student of the Year. Prior to moving to Texas, he directed, produced and edited television studio materials for the Queens Public Television Network in Queens, New York.

NSF gives grant to Texas A&M Professors

The National Science Foundation gave a $331,111 grant to Texas A&M professors, Dr. Wilbert E. Wilhelm and Dr. Yu Ding for a project focused on the security of U.S. ports and waterways.

The project is an effort to design surveillance sensor systems to secure ports and waterways, especially with smaller sea-craft that can easily elude security and get to sensitive targets.

Jasper superintendent on the move

Jasper Independent School District Superintendent Eddie Dunn will resign and accept the same position with Ennis ISD, which named him its lone finalist Tuesday night. His resignation will be accepted next week when the school board will consider naming an interim superintendent as well.

Dunn, who has served in Jasper for two and a half years, expects to leave the district by December to take over in Ennis. Ennis Superintendent Mike Harper is retiring at the end of the year.

San Marcos school board names new interim superintendent

Sylvia M. Garza, San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District Assistant Superintendent, has been chosen by the San Marcos school board to be the new interim superintendent.

Garza will be replacing Sylvester Perez, who will become superintendent of the Midland school district.The board expects to hire a permanent superintendent by February 2007.

Governor Rick Perry has made the following appointments:

• Judge B.B. Schraub, of Seguin; presiding judge of the Third Administrative Judicial Region;
• Maria Duarte-Gardea, of El Paso, to the Texas Diabetes Council;
• Terrence E. Fluharty, of Austin, to the Texas Diabetes Council;
• Javier Villalobos, of McAllen, to the Texas Funeral Service Commission.

Ask the experts

Q: I hear some of the state agencies talk about needing federal approval for their projects...what is that and how does it work? A: Federal funding that flows to state agencies is sometimes tied to a project approval process. This is most commonly found in large health and human services and child support IT projects that exceed $1 million. Federal rules also require additional project approvals if state agencies wish to get higher federal match rate…say 90/10 rather than 50/50. The document submitted by the state for federal HHS approval is called an advance planning document (APD). Expenditures that occur before APD approval are disallowed and the federal funding partners would pay only a base share of the costs or nothing at all. Requests to change Medicaid services or delivery methods require another kind of federal approval called a waiver. And for agencies that have multiple federal HHS programs, a cost allocation plan must be approved that determines the basis of cost sharing among federal funding partners. -Dave Horton, Senior Consultant, Strategic Partnerships, Inc. Have a question for one of SPI's government procurement experts? Drop us a line!

Part-time job opportunities available at SPI:

SPI is seeking additional researchers for short-term engagements involving research in other states. The candidates for these part-time positions should have experience in state or federal government and have an understanding of procurement processes and concepts. Tasks will vary depending on clients' needs. Applicants may send a cover letter and resume to jobs@spartnerships.com.

SPI is seeking part-time consultants with healthcare subject matter expertise, particularly with Texas hospitals. Candidates should have worked in or been associated with the medical and/or healthcare industry in Texas and have an extensive knowledge of the healthcare industry. To view the complete job description, click here.

SPI is also seeking part-time local government consultants who have worked in and around the local public sector in Texas (city and county), have subject matter expertise in local government, continuing relationships in local government and a knowledge of budgetary and procurement processes. To view the complete job description, click here.

Recent Reports

• Roadmap for the Mobilization of Electronic Healthcare Information in Texas, of the Health Information Technology Advisory Committee
• Texas Data Center Strategy Fiscal 2006 Status Report on Migration and Consolidation DIR has published the Texas Data Center Strategy: Fiscal 2006 Status Report on Migration and Consolidation.
• A Biennial Report on the State's Classification Plan, SAO Report No.07-702
• A Biennial Report on the Total Compensation Package for State of Texas Employees, SAO Report No.07-701
• An Audit Report on Flight Services Provided by the Department of Transportation's Aviation Division Flight Services Section, SAO Report No. 07-001
• SAO Audit Report on Community Mental Health Mental Retardation Centers' Expenditures
• SAO Audit Report on Procurement at the Texas Lottery Commission
• SAO Audit Report on the State Office of Administrative Hearings
• SAO Audit Report on Contract Management at the Texas Education Agency
• SAO Audit Report on Texas Woman's University's Management Practices for Endowment Funds
• SAO Audit Report on the University of North Texas's Management Practices for Endowment Funds
• SAO Audit Report on Indirect Cost Recovery Funds at State General Academic Universities
• SAO Review of State Agencies' Implementation of Sunset Advisory Commission Management Actions
• SAO Audit on the Historically Underutilized Business Program at the Texas Building and Procurement Commission
• SAO Audit on on Texas Southern University's Management Practices for Endowment Funds
• SAO Audit on Dept. of Licensing and Regulation
• Guide to Performance Measure Management
• Reflections on the 79th Legislative Session
• Summary of Enactments, 3rd Called Session
• Sunset Commission Decisions re the Texas Animal Health Commission
• Sunset Committee Decisions re the Texas Real Estate Commission

Event Links

• e-Records Conference · Oct 19
• TML Annual Conference · Oct 25-27
• Annual Texas Workforce Conference · Nov. 27-Dec.1
• Texas Homeland Security Conference · Nov 27-Dec 1
• Attorney General's Open Records Conference · Dec. 5-7
• TWC Texas Business Conferences
• LBJ School Professional Development Calendar
• TBPC Contract Management Training Schedule
• TBPC Procurement Training Schedule
• Texas Veterans Benefits Seminars
• Upcoming Executive Women in Texas Government events

Texas Government Insider Archives

Volume 1, 2, 3 and 4 Archives - 11/7/03 - 10/13/06

Resources

• Preparing and Submitting Information Technology Detail – REVISED 8/28/06
• Guide to the Sunset Process
• Public Information Handbook · 2006
• Open Meetings Handbook · 2006
• Administrative Law Handbook · 2006
• Public Officers: Traps for the Unwary · 2006
• Nepotism Laws Made Easy · 2006
• Eminent Domain Made Easy · 2006
• LBB Budget and Performance Assessments
• Senate Interim Charges
• House Interim Charges
• Texas Fact Book '06-'07
• LBB's Fiscal Size-up '06-'07
• Texas Human Resources Management Statutes Inventory
• TBPC Vendor Guide
• State Budget Resources
• HUB Forms Library
• State Contract Management Guide
• State Procurement Manual
• Who Represents Me? Texas Districts By Address
• Diagram of Texas' Biennial Budget Cycle

Strategic Partnerships, Inc. (SPI) is a research and consulting firm offering business development and public affairs services.

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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Austin, Texas 78730

The Texas Government Performance Summit

The Texas Performance Summit, to be held Dec. 4-6 at the Hyatt Regency in Houston, will feature as speakers Billy Hamilton, Texas Deputy Comptroller; Charles Bacarisse, Board of Directors of the Texas Department of Information Resources; and Mary Scott Nabers, CEO, Strategic Partnerships, Inc. For more information, please click here.

TML gearing up for annual conference

More than 4,000 municipal officials, spouses and exhibitors will be on hand for the 2006 Texas Municipal League (TML) Annual Conference slated for Wednesday through Friday, Oct. 25-27 at the Austin Convention Center. This year's theme is "Cities, Citizens: Partners for the Greater Good." Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst has been invited to speak at Wednesday's Opening General Session, which will also feature the presentation of Municipal Excellence Awards to 10 Texas cities. The conference will also feature five half-day workshops, which are separately ticketed events, planned on Wednesday before the conference officially opens. Other keynote addresses on Thursday and Friday will be presented by such nationally known speakers as Steve Gilliland, Bryan Dodge, Howard Prince, James Hunt, Dorothy Burton, John Alston and Trudy Bourgeois. Educational sessions are scheduled to cover a number of timely, city-related topics, like ethics, grassroots advocacy, effective communication, leadership principles, technology resources and strategic planning. TML is a voluntary association of more than 1,080 Texas cities. To learn more about the League and to register for the conference online, click here.

Homeland Security conference registration underway

The Governor's Division of Emergency Management (GDEM) will sponsor the Texas Homeland Security Conference 2006 Nov. 27 - Dec. 1 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio. Early registration (through Oct. 30) is $70, and later is $85. For more information, click here.

WaterSmart conference to focus on landscaping

The Texas Cooperative Extension will present "WaterSmart Landscaping for Professionals" from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 15 at the Sheraton Brookhollow Hotel, 3000 North Loop West, Houston. Tickets are $55 and include landscape workshops, a continental breakfast, lunch and exhibits.

Landscape architects and designers, engineers, grounds managers, nursery owners, neighborhood developers, builders, and city and county planners will benefit from the seminar. For more information click here or call 281-218-0721.

TASSCC conference to focus on technology

The Texas Association of State Systems for Computing and Communications will host the 2006 State of the State Conference at the Hyatt Regency Town Lake in Austin, Tuesday, Dec. 12. The conference will focus on strategic direction of technology in state government and higher education, and include speakers such as Susan Combs, Texas Agriculture Commissioner and Dr. Michael Cox, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. Online registration ends Wednesday, December 5th. Click here for more information.

E-Records Conference slated

The Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) and the Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR) will hold a one-day conference Oct. 19 for state government officials involved in the management of electronic records. This educational event seeks to improve electronic records management in Texas government through the use of statewide standards and best practices. For more information and to register, please click here.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hosts meetings

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is hosting a community-based meeting in San Antonio on Saturday, Oct. 21, in conjunction with state and local health officials and other community-based institutions to obtain public comment on CDC's priorities for protecting the public's health. The meeting will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in The Gallery at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, 200 E. Market Street, with lunch provided. Attendees sought are representatives of local health organizations, environmental organizations, faith-based organizations, citizen advisory groups, business and civic organizations, principals and teachers and educational organizations. For more information, contact Jody Erikson at 303-468-8862.

Conference offers continuing ed credits

The Texas State Agency Business Administrators' mid-winter conference, to be held Dec. 6-8 at the Inn of the Hills Resort and Conference Center in Kerrville, will offer continuing education credits.

To learn more and register online, click here.