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Aging computers threaten environmentCities, states bracing for avalanche of 'e-waste'
State and local governments are increasingly turning their focus on the proliferation of toxic e-waste, the thousands of discarded electronic consumer goods, including computers, televisions, cell phones and other modern gadgets, that have become the fastest-growing portion of the municipal solid waste stream. Cities and states are bracing for an avalanche of products as more and more consumers begin to off-load obsolete equipment currently taking up space in storage rooms, attics and closets. With the average lifespan of a computer now about two years, the National Recycling Coalition has projected that by next year, some 500 million personal computers will have become obsolete. 
In Texas, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality estimates that 1.5 million computers are discarded annually, with roughly 162,000 recycled, leaving more than 1.3 million units either stored or headed to landfills. The environmental impact includes the potential release of toxic substances, including mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, brominated flame-retarded plastics and lead. For that reason, environmental groups have focused their efforts on encouraging computer manufacturers to implement recycling and refurbishing programs. In Texas, Dell Inc. has partnered with Goodwill Industries of Central Texas to accept all computer products for recycling. In addition, Dell, Apple, Hewlett-Packard and Gateway offer various recycling services. Three Texas cities - Kyle, Georgetown and Plano - have passed resolutions endorsing producer recycling programs. "Local governments should not be shouldered with the financial burden of recycling and disposing of toxic electronic waste," noted Robin Schneider, executive director of Texas Campaign for the Environment. Some Texas cities have begun offering computer recycling events, such as the City of Arlington's "Computer Round-up," held last week. The City of Longview held a similar event. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice also accepts old computers from state agencies for refurbishing, which it sends along to school districts. The TCEQ maintains an online list of private firms that also accept computers and other electronic equipment for recycling. The North Texas Council of Governments maintains a Web site, which lists recycling opportunities in each participating city. Hance hiring as Tech chancellor official
It's official: former U.S. Rep. Kent Hance, a 1965 graduate of Texas Tech University, will be taking over as chancellor of his alma mater on Dec. 1. Hance, who is succeeding Dr. David Smith, will earn $412,000 in his new position. His duties will include leading an ambitious private fundraising campaign to increase the university's endowment. Hance has served as a state senator, U.S. Congressman and Texas Railroad Commissioner. Sunset urges oversight for federal officeThe Sunset Advisory Commission, a panel of state lawmakers and members of the public, recommended this week that the Office of State-Federal Relations strengthen its standards for hiring outside consultants. In particular, the commission recommended that all contracts have a clause permitting the state to terminate a contract with an outside consultant who has conflicts of interests that could jeopardize the state's interests. The commission was responding to a contract the agency had with a Washington lobby group with ties to lobbyist Jack Abramoff. In other recommendations, the commission suggested that the office be restructured so that it reports directly to the governor's office. TRS names a new investment chief
The Board of the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) has voted to offer T. Britton "Britt" Harris IV the position as chief investment officer. Harris previously has served as chief investment officer of Verizon Investment Management Corp and CEO of Bridgewater Associates, a global investment firm. Jarvis Hollingsworth, a Houston lawyer and chair of the teacher fund's Board of Trustees, called Harris extremely qualified and said he has an "outstanding track record" in the field of investments. Harris' hiring is still contingent upon salary and benefit negotiations. He would replace James Hille, who left the position in April for a position at Texas Christian University. In other TRS news this week, Gov. Rick Perry asked the TRS board to consider investing in fledgling companies that have received money from the Texas Emerging Technology Fund. The fund backs Texas firms with new technology to spur research and job creation in Texas. Two finalists named for TDSHS commissionerThe search for a replacement for Dr. Eduardo Sanchez as commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services has been narrowed to two finalists, Dr. David Lakey and Dr. Philip Huang. Lakey is medical director of the Center for Pulmonary and Infectious Disease Control and the Public Health Laboratory of East Texas at the University of Texas Health Center at Tyler. Huang is current chief of the Bureau of Disease, Injury and Tobacco Prevention at the Department of State Health Services. The final decision will be made by Texas Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Albert Hawkins, with the concurrence of Gov. Rick Perry, probably later this month. The Texas Department of State Health Services combines the former Texas Department of Health, the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, the Texas Health Care Information Council, and the mental health component of the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation into a department of more than 11,500 employees with an annual budget of approximately $2.3 billion. Few hitches reported on election dayLast week's election produced few complaints nationwide, despite concerns about new electronic voting equipment. According to the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS), nationwide voter turnout surpassed 40 percent of eligible voters, according to some reports, and exit polls of voters indicated 87 percent confidence in how election returns would be tabulated. The association noted that no legal challenges had been filed, and although some equipment problems occurred, polling places were kept open late to allow voters to participate. The NASS noted that its voter education Web site was visited by close to 50,000 people on Nov. 7, double the number of voters who called various voter hotlines. Prison renamed for ex-board chairman Stringfellow
The Brazoria County Ramsey II Prison Unit has been renamed in honor of Alfred M. "Mac" Stringfellow, chairman of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice (TBCJ). Stringfellow was employed in the oil and gas industry until he was appointed by then-Gov. George W. Bush to head up the board overseeing the state's corrections system. During his tenure, Stringfellow gained a reputation among the prison system's employees for his work ethic, often visiting prisons unannounced. He earned their respect for his hard work and his efforts to increase compensation for correctional officers. Governor creates new councilIn an announcement this week at the Texas Lyceum, Gov. Rick Perry said he would create a new Governor's Competitive Council to bring education, state government and industry leaders together to plan for the state's economic growth. Perry said the council will reflect a broad cross section of experts familiar with economic development, workforce training and the state's regulatory climate and education needs. While the size of the panel has yet to be determined, Perry said he hopes its work will help Texas attract more business investment and relocations here. Austin high schools to undergo ambitious redesign
In what could be a model for high schools nationwide, the Austin Independent School District plans to use a $15.6 million grant form the Bill and Melinda Gates and Michael and Susan Dell Foundations to restructure its high schools with an eye to creating a more personal feel at its large campuses. Superintendent Pat Forgione said the district's 11 high schools will develop their own plans for redesign, and the grant money will pay for changes called for in each of the plans, as well as a system to track each school's results. The grant money will be used over the next four years for changes that are being crafted by each of the 11 traditional high schools and for a system to track each school's results. Some of the Austin schools will use the money to create "small learning communities" within their large campuses, essentially grouping students and teachers to work together throughout their high school years. Other schools will create career-themed academies to motivate students to excel in particular subjects. Texas schools form security groupThe University of Texas at San Antonio, Texas A&M Engineering, the University of Texas at El Paso and Texas A&M International University have come together to form the Texas Homeland Security Group (TSHG). The new consortium hopes to receive funding for research into homeland and border security topics and plans to offer training and products to address important security issues. Texas benefits from military construction billTexas military bases will get a $741 million facelift under a 2007 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill approved by the U.S. Senate this week. According to U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, the bill earmarks funds for the following projects:
Texas coalition to compete for wind facility
Officials with the Texas Land Office and the Lone Star Wind Alliance, a Texas-led coalition of universities, government agencies and corporate partners, announced this week they will seek an $80 million federally-funded turbine wind research and development facility. Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson said he expected the proposed research project to generate local economic development on a scale similar to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's impact on Houston in the early 1960s. The Lone Star Wind Alliance includes the University of Houston's Cullen College of Engineering, the University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University, West Texas A&M University, the Houston Advanced Research Center, Stanford University, Montana State University, New Mexico State University, Old Dominion University, the Texas General Land Office, the State Energy Conservation Office, Lt. Governor David Dewhurst, the Texas Workforce Commission, Gov. Rick Perry's Emerging Technology Fund, Good Company Associates and the Wind Coalition. "Where else but Texas can they build a test facility large enough to handle the nation's needs for the next generation of wind turbines?" Patterson asked. "The General Land Office and our fellow Alliance members are confident that our proposal will bring this facility to Texas." The U.S. Department of Energy has specified that the research project will test turbines with blades 70 meters long. TDI wins national award
The Texas Department of Insurance's Licensing Division has won a national honor for the second year running from the Securities and Insurance Licensing Association, which recognized the TDI's Licensing Division for outstanding performance. The professional organization also named TDI's Deputy Commissioner of Licensing Matt Ray as Financial Services Regulator of the Year. In announcing the award, the nominating committee said, "The efficiency and speed of the Texas Department of Insurance's licensing department under Ray's direction should serve as an example for other state regulators." UT regent donates endowment to Texas Exes
UT regent John Barnhill and his wife Jane have donated a $1 million endowment to the Texas Exes, the alumni association of the University of Texas at Austin, for its communications efforts. The association, which currently publishes the bi-monthly magazine, The Alcalde, will use the Barnhill endowment to strengthen communication with alumni. Avrel Seale, editor of The Alcalde, said the Barnhills "recognize the multiplier effect that good communication with alumni can have on the overall well-being of the university." Barnhill, a 1959 UT journalism graduate, spent much of his career as an executive at Blue Bell Creameries in Brenham. During his tenure at Blue Bell, the company expanded from serving a dozen central Texas counties to ranking third nationally in ice cream sales. Baylor VP intends to increase endowmentDennis Prescott, newly appointed Baylor Vice President for Development, says he hopes the university can increase its current endowment of $870 million to $2 billion. Baylor University President John Lilley said Prescott has established a reputation for developing effective fundraising campaigns and has led successful development initiatives at several major universities. Prescott will replace Randy Lofgren, who will become assistant vice president for development programs and services. Madden added to prison industry panel
House Speaker Tom Craddick this week named State Rep. Jerry Madden to serve on the Private Sector Prison Industries Oversight Authority, which approves, certifies and oversees private industry programs in state correctional facilities. Noting that Madden serves as chairman of the House Committee on Corrections, Craddick said, "I trust his judgment on issues where the interests of the private sector meet with Texas' need for an efficient state and county correctional system." Madden, elected to the Texas Legislature in 1992, is serving his seventh term in office. Palo Duro park chief promotedHi Newby, head of Palo Duro Canyon State Park, has been promoted to oversee resource management at 12 state parks in a region stretching from the Panhandle to Midland, San Angelo and Brownwood. Newby has served for six years as park superintendent at Palo Duro Canyon State Park. In his new position, Newby's responsibilities will include the training of regional wilderness fire fighting crews, training staff throughout the state in resource-related crimes and investigative techniques, managing wildlife habitat and working on endangered species issues. Erath County Treasurer honoredThe County Treasurer's Association of Texas has named Erath County Treasurer Donna Kelly its Treasurer of the Year. Selection for recognition as the outstanding county treasurer is contingent upon performance on the job as well as the individual's involvement with the organization. Kelly was appointed county treasurer in 1991. She has also served as the president of the association for two years and has served on the association's board. UTPB adopts Computer Science Master's programThe University of Texas-Permian Basin will be offering a new master's degree in computer science, with an emphasis on distributed computer systems' architecture and application. Computer Science and Mathematics Professor Doug Hale said the new program will help prepare students who aspire to be computer systems professionals for roles in business and technology-based organizations. TAMU scientists study wound-healing productsScientists at Texas A&M University have partnered with two corporations to develop the next generation of wound-care and scar-healing products in hopes of improving outcomes for injured military troops. TAMU's War Wound Healing and Tissue Regeneration Project has focused the attentions of researchers from the university's Institute for Plant Genomics and Biotechnology and Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department. Specifically, the scientists are attempting to improve the quality and availability of "human tropoelastin" products. |
Pre-filing prompts a flurry of bills
By Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc. Members of the Texas Legislature won't report for duty until January, but the public got its first glimpse this week of some of the issues that will compete for the attention of lawmakers during their 140-day session. It's often said that the Legislature really only needs to pass one bill - the state budget. But that didn't stop a flurry of paper this week when House and Senate rules allowed lawmakers to begin pre-filing legislation that represents their passions and promises to constituents. By the end of the first four days of pre-filing, some 400 pieces of legislation had been dropped in the hopper. While there is no legal need to secure a low bill number, tradition confers some respect for proposals with low numbers, and loyal staff members arrived before dawn to queue up with their legislation. The proposals filed indicated there will be no shortage of fireworks this session, as many of the proposals deal with issues that historically have prompted passionate debate, such as a pilot program for school vouchers, bills to discourage abortion and proposals to limit government services to undocumented workers. Some other proposals with far-reaching public policy implications that bear watching include:
SPI researchers and governmental affairs gurus will be following the session daily. Stay tuned for what promises to be a very exciting legislative session. SPI announces new consultants
Strategic Partnerships, Inc., is pleased to announce that two new consultants with local government expertise have joined the firm. Henry Jeffries, mayor and former city council member of Watauga in Tarrant County, has been a highly involved local leader with experience in issues ranging from economic development to parks and crime prevention. Jeffries serves on the Executive Board of Directors of the Northeast Tarrant County Chamber of Commerce, is past president of the Association of Mayors, Commissioners and Council members and is active in the Texas Municipal League. 
Janet Sheguit recently completed a 27-year career in city government in Cameron, the last three years as city manager, where she oversaw a city budget in excess of $4 million and managed 54 employees. She was especially successful in obtaining state and federal grant funds for projects including a hike and bike trail and a water distribution system. Workers' comp gets new deputy commissionerJaelene Fayhee will join the Texas Department of Insurance Division of Workers' Compensation as the Executive Deputy Commissioner for Policy and Research. Albert Betts, commissioner of the division, said Fayhee has more than 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, including executive management positions overseeing public affairs and communications projects. Most recently, Fayhee has served as Vice President for Public Affairs for the Texas Mutual Insurance Company. LMISD names former local elementary principal as lone finalist
La Marque Independent School District officials have chosen Ecomet Burley, a former elementary principal of the district, as the lone finalist to serve as superintendent. Burley, a graduate of Texas Tech University, has been a principal assistant principal, and assistant superintendent for two school systems in his career in the field of education. Currently an assistant superintendent for the Champaign, Ill., school system, Burley also served as an assistant superintendent for the Lubbock school system. State law requires a 21-day negotiating period with the school board before the hiring becomes official. Burley says that he hopes to be working full time by January. HBU gets new development, research directorsHouston Baptist University has named Dr. Phil Rhodes as the new director of institutional research assessment and Brian L. Hurd as vice president of development. Rhodes has served since 1998 at Baylor University as a senior research analyst. He received his doctorate in statistics from Baylor. He will assume his new duties at HBU Dec. 11. Hurd's responsibilities as vice president of development will include overseeing alumni and church relations. He received a bachelor's degree in business management from LeTourneau University. He is currently employed as the principal and founder of the Ministry Consulting Group. UT gets new entertainment education fundingThe Cain Foundation, a private family foundation in Austin, has donated $500,000 to the University of Texas at Austin to fund an endowed scholarship for a student to study the entertainment industry in Los Angeles for one semester. The scholarship, to be named after Cain Foundation director Wofford Denius, a UT graduate and music attorney, will allow Texas students to gain first-hand experience through internships and break into the industry by networking with professionals in Los Angeles. SPI seeks additional K-12 and Healthcare consultants in Texas Recent Reports
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Texas Government Insider ArchivesVolume 1, 2, 3 and 4 Archives - 11/7/03 - 10/13/06 Resources
Texas Government Insider will not publish next Friday because of the Thanksgiving holiday. We will resume publication Friday, Dec. 1. On that date, we will launch a new regular feature, "Lone Star," which each week will spotlight a different individual involved in Texas government. Please send your nominations for this feature, as well as news items about promotions or other important developments in government agencies, to editor@spartnerships.comStrategic Partnerships, Inc. (SPI) is a research and consulting firm offering business development and public affairs services. |
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Greater Austin Chamber to present economic forecastFour economists will present at this year's Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce Annual Economic Forecast: Ray Perryman, President of The Perryman Group; Jon Hockeyenos, Founder of Texas Pespectives; Billy Hamilton, Texas Deputy Comptroller, and Daniel Kah, Research Director of Angelou Economics. The event will be held Dec. 13, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Alamo Drafthouse. Cost is $45 for Chamber members and $65 for future Chamber members. Call Linda Barrera at 322-5619 for more information. Conference to educate newly-elected officialsThe Texas Association of Counties will hold a series of one-day conferences Dec. 4-13 to assist newly-elected officials in preparing to take office. The conferences will cover issues ranging from public hiring practices, nepotism, the Texas Open Meetings and Public Information Acts, purchasing requirements and ethics standards for public officials. To learn more about the conferences, click here. Homeland security conference to examine safetyThe Texas Homeland Security Conference, hosted by the Governor's Division of Emergency Management, will be held in San Antonio Nov. 27-Dec.1 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. Workshop topics will address border security, port security, school safety, citizen emergency response teams, mass care and evacuations and a host of other issues. The conference is the essential annual event for emergency management and homeland security professionals, first responders, volunteer organizations and all law enforcement officials engaged in preparedness and response to hazards and threats to Texas. For conference registration information, contact Natasha Watts at Natasha.Watts@txdps.state.tx.us. For conference exhibitor information, contact Justin Lopez at Justin.Lopez@txdps.state.tx.us. The Texas Government Performance SummitThe Texas Government 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. |
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