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Shaw joins Texas Commission on Environmental QualityPerry appointee called experienced, nationally respected scientist
"Bryan Shaw is a nationally respected scientist with the experience and expertise to oversee our state's environmental policies. Under his leadership Texas will continue developing policies and making decisions based on solid science that protect our natural resources while helping to meet the challenges of a rapidly growing state," Perry said. Shaw is an associate professor in the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department of Texas A&M University (TAMU). The majority of his research at TAMU concentrates on air pollution, air pollution abatement, dispersion model development and emission factor development. He received a bachelor's and master's degree from TAMU and a doctorate from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Fear of deadly "superbug" spreading throughout state
Over the last two weeks, there has been a noticeable jump in media reports about students in Texas and other states contracting an antibiotic-resistant staph infection known as MRSA or the "superbug." But the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has no evidence that there has been a recent outbreak of the skin infection or that it has caused any deaths this year. Texas, like most states, does not track MRSA. While the agency has no statistics on the incidence of staph, it has been receiving a steady stream of telephone calls from concerned parents and school officials since a Virginia high school student died on Oct. 15 as a result of an MRSA infection, a spokesperson said. "People are very concerned about prevention and containment of staph infections," said Kerry Williams, a DSHS spokesperson. "It's good that there is heightened awareness about this community health issue, but we don't want people to panic." [more]Strategic Partnerships salutes Texas' Lone Stars
This week's salute is to Karen Robinson, Director of Administration and Technology, Office of the GovernorCareer highlights and education: I was appointed Director of Administration and Technology for the Office of the Governor (OOG) in August 2007. My responsibilities include administering the OOG's general administrative policy, human resource and personnel management, professional development, and office support services, as well as overseeing all technical aspects for the office. In carrying out these responsibilities, my emphasis is on providing excellent customer service to both the agency's internal and external customers. Prior to my appointment as the Director of Administration and Technology, I served as a systems analyst for five years, then, the IT Director. In that capacity, I was responsible not only for managing the computer services division for the Office of the Governor, but also for serving as a liaison with both outside vendors and other agencies to advance the OOG's technological capabilities. Earlier in my career, I worked for the Texas Legislative Council, serving as a technology consultant for Senate offices. My primary account was the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. Education includes University of St. Thomas in Houston, The University of Texas at Austin. What I like best about my job is: Being a part of implementing Governor Perry's vision for a better Texas. Best advice I've received for my current job is: You can never move forward if you're sitting still. This advice was given to me by a personal friend who strongly influences my decisions to accept professional challenges. Advice I would give a new hire in my office: Continue to move forward in everything you do. If I ever snuck out of work early, I could probably be found: On my horse, running barrels. People would be surprised to know that I: I co-founded the first Waterloo Ice House on Congress Ave in 1976. One thing I wish more people knew about my agency: How focused Governor Perry is on what can be - and needs to be - accomplished, and how his enthusiasm motivates us all and makes us proud to be members of Team Perry. 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. Texas' criminal justice approach watched nationwide
Once again, the eyes of the nation are on Texas as criminal justice systems in states across the country are watching to see the effects of new criminal justice policies that are being implemented in the Lone Star State. Texas is not alone in facing rapidly increasing prison populations, but its latest approach to managing the problem is somewhat unique. The new strategies in the Texas criminal justice system were championed in the 80th Legislature by Rep. Jerry Madden (right) in the House and Sen. John Whitmire (left) in the Senate. With the backing of the governor, lieutenant governor, House Speaker and the majority of the members of the legislature, Texas approved initiatives aimed at reducing costs while increasing public safety, improving the efficiency of community supervision and increasing the capacity of treatment and diversion programs – rather than just building more prisons. At a recent briefing in Washington, D.C., Madden, chair of the House Corrections Committee, told other state and federal officials that the new Texas policies are aimed at keeping communities safer, noting they already have saved the state more than $200 million. However, state officials also note that any such programs will need federal support, citing the need for continuation of the federal Second Chance Act, which would authorize a $50 million reentry grant program for states and counties, a $15 million reentry program for community and faith-based organizations that will offer mentoring and transitional services, and funds for drug treatment and mentoring grant programs, all administered through the U.S. Department of Justice. Emerging Technology Funds awarded to SNR Labs. Inc.SNR Labs Inc. of Richardson has been awarded a $750,000 grant from the Texas Emerging Technology Fund (TETF). SNR will use the funds to continue the development of its mobile handset software, Convergence Manager™. The software allows wireless devices to work seamlessly between wireless services, including conventional cellular, WiFi and WIMAX networks. Gov. Rick Perry announced the award Thursday. "Technological innovation is the lifeblood of today's economy. The Emerging Technology Fund allows Texas to maneuver a strong stake in the marketplace by supporting ground-breaking technology projects. The investment in products like convergence software is important to fortifying the future of our economy," Perry said. The TETF is a $200 million initiative created by the Texas Legislature in 2005. A 17-member advisory committee reviews potential TETF projects and recommends funding for projects to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Speaker of the House. Riter named vice chair of Higher Ed Coordinating Board
Riter is president of Riter Management Company L.C. and the A.W. Riter Jr. Family Foundation. He received a bachelor's degree from Southern Methodist University and a master's degree from the University of Texas at Austin. Campaign urges Texans to prepare for emergencies
The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) launched a new campaign this week urging Texans to prepare themselves and their families for potential disasters, from hurricanes to the flu. "Family emergency planning is essential," said Dr. David Lakey (pictured), DSHS Commissioner. "It's easy, and the time to do it is now." "Ready or Not? HAVE A PLAN" uses radio, television, newspaper and outdoor advertising, community outreach events and a new interactive Web site to encourage every Texan to create an emergency plan. The campaign runs through July 2008.For more information about how to build a custom plan click here. Commission says hundreds of state reports not needed
More than 1,600 reports generated annually or biannually by state agencies may be unnecessary, the Texas Library and Archives Commission recently concluded in a preliminary 668-page report. The report on reports is part of an effort to improve efficiency in state government. All of the reports are required by legislative action, and none can be killed without a majority vote of the legislature. A team compiled by state records administrator Michael Heskett (pictured) has spent 18 months canvassing more than 170 state agencies and the state's public colleges and universities about the production of reports required by legislative action. Heskett has said it will take another year before the commission completes its work. To view the report, click here. Bush picks former Fort Sam Houston leader to head VA
President George W. Bush has nominated retired Army Lt. Gen. James Peake (pictured), a former Army surgeon general who headed the U.S. Army Medical Command at Fort Sam Houston, as secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. The nomination occurs as San Antonio is scheduled to receive a fifth national facility to treat soldiers with multiple wounds returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. "He will work tirelessly to eliminate backlogs and ensure that our veterans receive the benefits they need to lead lives of dignity and purpose," Bush said in announcing the nomination on Tuesday. The 63-year-old Peake, nominated to replace outgoing Secretary James Nicholson, would be the first general and the first physician to hold the post, making him highly qualified to improve services and treatment for veterans. The former U.S. Army surgeon general is a graduate of West Point and the Army War College. He was decorated for service in Vietnam, including the Purple Heart. Seven-year ban on Internet access tax clears CongressA bill banning taxes on Internet access passed the U.S. House on a unanimous vote this week. Having already passed in the Senate, the bill is now on its way to the president for his signature. Although some sought a permanent ban on the tax, the seven-year ban approved by both chambers was better than the four-year ban originally proposed by the House. The existing ban expired on Nov. 1. The new legislation also removes some "grandfathering" language affecting states that already tax Internet access. Only states that have levied the tax for more than two years can continue to collect the tax and they must also be actively collecting it. Texas nursing schools receive $7 million in grantsThe state recently gave almost $7 million to several Texas nursing schools that graduated more students in 2007 than in the previous year. Some nursing programs that collected $7,800 for every additional graduate are the Baptist Health System, the University of Texas Health Science Center and Texas Tech University. The 80th Legislature appropriated $6,982,500 to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in fiscal year 2007 for the Professional Nursing Shortage Reduction Program. The grant program was created to help remedy faculty shortages at the state's nursing schools. The Texas Nurses Association estimates that the state has a shortage of 19,000 registered nurses. With a growing and aging population in the state and nurses nearing retirement, that shortage could reach about 71,000 by 2020, according to the association. Industry experts assert that successful recruitment of additional nursing faculty is the solution to the nation's growing nursing shortage. Construction begins on new state veterans cemetery
Ground was broken Tuesday for the Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Abilene. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is paying for the $8.1 million project, scheduled for completion in 2009. "This will be a dignified place of rest for Texas veterans and their spouses," said Jerry Patterson (pictured), Chairman of the Texas Veterans Land Board. "They have earned it through their service to our nation. They deserve nothing less." The 63-acre cemetery will be built four miles north of Interstate 20, just east of Farm-to-Market Road 600. The facility will have the capacity for up to 20,000 burials and will include an avenue of flags, a visitors' center, a computer system for locating specific graves or interments and an assembly area for special occasions. The new cemetery will join two other state veterans cemeteries in Killeen and Mission. The cemeteries complement the state's four national veterans cemeteries in Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio and El Paso. Texan Gibson nominated for White House promotionPresident George W. Bush has nominated native Texas and former Abilene resident John H. Gibson II for assistant secretary of the U.S. Air Force's financial management, the White House has announced. In his new post, Gibson would advise the secretary of the Air Force on financial management. In his current position as deputy under secretary of defense for management reform, Gibson focuses on financial and management reform throughout the U.S. Department of Defense. Gibson graduated from The University of Texas with two bachelor's degrees. He holds a master's degree from the University of Dallas. Prior to joining the Department of Defense in February 2006, Gibson held several senior management roles in private industry. His father is the late Air Force Brig. General John H. Gibson. Port commission approves $15M in projects for BayportHouston port commissioners approved $15 million in construction projects at the new Bayport terminal on Tuesday. Most of the money, $12.8 million, is earmarked for dredging to accommodate larger vessels at Bayport, where the first phase of the container terminal opened earlier this year and construction is under way on a cruise terminal.
The commissioners' move came one week before Harris County voters decide on a proposed $250 million bond issue for construction of the next phases of the Bayport Container and Cruise Terminal and for security and environmental improvements. The amount of cargo that moves through the Bayport container terminal is higher than expected and will accelerate construction of the huge project. Original plans called for the terminal to be built over 15 to 20 years, but now it may be finished in eight to 12 years. The Port of Houston Authority operates 12 public terminals and handles various kinds of cargo, but its biggest growth in recent years has been in containers, particularly those shipped from Asia. Almost three-fourths of container traffic that moves through the Gulf of Mexico is handled at the port. State drug treatment courts receive $4.4 millionGov. Rick Perry this week awarded more than $4.4 million in grant funding to 37 drug treatment courts. Drug courts identify non-violent drug offenders and place them in an intensive program of judicially supervised substance abuse treatment, case management and drug testing in hopes of breaking the cycle of substance abuse and crime. The grants are awarded through the state Drug Court Program, state Criminal Justice Planning Fund and the federal Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program, and are distributed by the Governor's Criminal Justice Division (CJD). To view a list of awards click here. UT Health Science Center at San Antonio appoints COO
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio last week hired Michael Black (pictured), the former associate vice chancellor and associate dean for administration and finance for the School of Medicine at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo., as its first chief operating officer. Black will manage all of the new programs and new building construction, but his chief focus will be to enhance organizational effectiveness within the university's strategic plan. The center has two buildings under construction in San Antonio and is opening new buildings in Laredo and Harlingen. The new buildings are expected to help the university expand educational opportunities, improve research capabilities and enhance clinical services throughout South Texas. Grayson County College approves bond expendituresGrayson County College recently approved a plan to spend the $44 million bond proceeds voters approved in the spring on over 109,000 square feet of new construction and 130,000 square feet of renovations to structures on the main campus. Some buildings that will benefit from the bond sale are the Career Technology Center, the Arts and Communications Center, the Student Life Center and the Learning Resource Center. The proceeds will also finance improvements to the grounds, walkways, parking, sewer treatment, canopies, lighting sources and signs. UTPB School of Education earns national accreditation
The School of Education at the University of Texas of the Permian Basis (UTPB) has received national accreditation from the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). School President David Watts (pictured) said Texas school teachers and their students will benefit from the accreditation. The UTPB School of Education currently has more than 700 students working toward teacher certification, 350 students enrolled in graduate programs and 80 students enrolled in the West Texas Principals Center. "The public is crying out for accountability in education, and we're holding our educators to the highest national standard. We want Texas teachers to be the best prepared. We want them to love their jobs, and UT Permian Basin is giving them the tools they need to be the most successful." Texas colleges named recipients of USDA grantsFive Texas colleges are among 20 from throughout the country sharing the more than $5 million in education grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service. The grants are to Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) - nonprofit institutions that have at least 25 percent Hispanic full-time equivalent enrollment. The grants will be used to develop curriculum in agricultural sciences, expand the use of practical learning and bolster student recruitment and retention. Receiving grants in Texas were: Del Mar College - $230,000; Laredo Community College - $440,000; Houston Community College - $240,000; Southwest Texas Junior College - $240,000; and St. Philip's College - $275,000. Grant funds for this year will be used on projects that include food science nutrition, water quality, range and wildlife, veterinary sciences, environmental and biotechnology. UTSA, other research institutions win national grant
The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) has been selected as one of five institutes in a nationwide consortium to share in a $1.4 million grant from the National Science Foundation. The consortium has been selected to receive the Nanoscale Interdisciplinary Research Team (NIRT) grant. The other consortium members include The University of Texas at Austin, Harvard University, Cornell University and Case Western Reserve University. Andrey Chabanov (pictured), NIRT principal investigator and UTSA assistant professor of physics, says the team was selected for the competitive grant based on its scientific merit and the potentially broad social impact of the proposed research. The research is aimed at developing a means of controlling optical energy for applications in nanoscience and nanotechnology. The semiconductor industry could benefit from the research by making chips smaller through the use of light at a nanoscale level, Chabanov said. UTHSC surgery center receives $1 million grantThe University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHSC) in San Antonio has received a $1 million grant from the federal Economic Development Administration. The funding will help pay for construction of an ambulatory surgery center in the new UT Medical Arts and Research Center that now is being built. The $3.9 million surgery facility will have four endoscopic suites and six operating rooms. It is one of the clinic areas included in the 250,000-square-foot medical arts center, which will house many of the school's specialty clinics and research offices under one roof. Construction is expected to be completed by 2009. El Paso County Commissioners Court trims bond amount
The El Paso County Commissioners Court has reduced the amount of certificate of obligation bonds for capital improvement projects they plan to issue from $79.5 million to $72.9 million. Significant reductions include $1 million from technology infrastructure construction and $1.3 million from the Upper Valley annex project. The proposed bond issue, planned for this month, will fund such projects as a $5 million expansion of the Juvenile Justice Center, a $5.9 million overhaul of the Information Technology Department's data center and $2.7 million for repairs and equipment replacement at the El Paso County Detention Facility. Commissioner Luis Sarinana (pictured), spearheaded the proposal to sell certificates of obligation, which do not need voter approval, to fund pressing county needs. Houston deal ends annexation threat to WoodlandsThe Houston City Council and the Town Center Improvement District (TCID) last week approved an agreement that ends the threat of annexation of The Woodlands, opens the door to other governing options and sets up funding for regional projects. The regional participation agreement sets the stage for the future of The Woodlands. On Nov. 6, local voters will decide the community's fate when they vote on three propositions to expand the TCID to a communitywide special district, to transition to an elected board by 2010 and to allow the new entity to collect ad valorem taxes. Future projects will be selected by Houston, in consultation with TCID, from categories in the agreement, including major regional parks, access projects for the Hardy Toll Road, mobility projects around the Texas Medical Center, health care facilities, recreation and open space, regional water and wastewater projects, drainage control, public safety and environmental preservation. CPS Energy investing $200 million to study reactors
CPS Energy's board this week voted to invest more than $200 million on preliminary design work to add two reactors to the South Texas Project in Matagorda County. The San Antonio utility owns 40 percent of the nuclear plant, which produces about 38 percent of the electricity consumed by CPS customers. Before voting, the board heard from numerous citizens opposed to the use of nuclear power. San Antonio Mayor Phil Hardberger (pictured) voted in favor of funding the preliminary work, stressing that nuclear-generated power is the best option to serve the city's growing energy needs. In late September, CPS joined NRG Energy of New Jersey in filing an application with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to add two reactors at the South Texas Project at an estimated cost of more than $6 billion. The utility's partnership with NRG in the new reactors would mean that San Antonio would benefit from almost half of the electricity generated. Coalition of Houston residents proposes i45 parkwayA coalition of central Houston residents would rather have tunnels built under Interstate 45 traffic to improve its flow than widen the freeway, as planned by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). A plan, called i45 parkway, involves two six-lane commuter tunnels, the redevelopment of surface lanes as a parkway for local traffic similar to Allen Parkway and a commuter rail line. The coalition claims this alternative would not require additional right-of-way. It would cost $3.1 billion to build the tunnels and the tunnels could be built in three to five years. Coaliton president Jim Weston said the TxDOT plan to add traffic lanes would take as long as 10 years to complete and would unnecessarily increase speed along the freeway. The coalition last week appealed to the Houston City Council for help in overturning TxDOT's plans. Sugar Land's new red-light cameras ready to go
Sugar Land's red-light cameras will begin operating next week. Violators will receive a warning for the first 30 days of the new program. Citations will be issued after the grace period ends. The owner of a vehicle photographed running a red light will be subject to a $75 fine. Police Chief Steve Griffith (pictured) said the cameras have been installed at three of Sugar Land's most congested and busiest intersections: U.S. 59 at Texas 6, U.S. 59 at Williams Trace and Texas 6 at Lexington. A fourth camera, to be installed at the intersection of West Airport and Eldridge Parkway, will be delayed until road reconstruction there is completed. The cameras are atop tall poles and automatically photograph the license plate of vehicles running red lights. Griffith said he hopes the red-light cameras will reduce the number of traffic accidents at these intersections by about 25 percent. Huntsville moves to automated trash systemThe Huntsville City Council has approved the purchase of $997,402.20 worth of equipment that moves the city from manual garbage collection to an automated system. The council approved the purchase of four residential truck chassis; four residential service bodies with automated collection system attachments; 7,500 rollout carts; one commercial truck chassis; and one commercial service body. The city has held several public meetings to explain the automated system to residents and to demonstrate the use of the 48-gallon and 96-gallon rollout carts the city will provide. The new system is expected to be operational by the first of the year. El Paso latest city to consider banning plastic bags
The El Paso City Council is mulling over whether to ban or reduce the use of plastic shopping bags. The city staff has been asked to brief the council this month on the pros and cons of a ban and the implications for consumers and stores. Council Rep. Melina Castro (pictured) recently proposed that the city require businesses to eventually phase out the use of plastic shopping bags. The possible ban is one more indication that El Paso is becoming an environmentally sensitive community. Earlier this year, the council adopted an ordinance requiring new city buildings to meet stiff environmental standards and implemented a popular curbside recycling program. So far, only San Francisco and Laredo have banned plastic shopping bags. But many other cities, including Austin and Houston, are considering reducing bag use. Denton bus service expanding with pilot programThe Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) has approved a pilot program for additional bus service connecting Highland Village and Lewisville. Commercial and residential developments on FM 407 in Flower Mound and Highland Village have posed traffic issues for residents, making the city an ideal candidate for mass transit. In 2005, DCTA staff studied whether a bus service in Highland Village was a viable option, but the study showed it was years away, according to DCTA spokesperson Dee Leggett. Since then, Highland Village has seen increased growth to justify expanded bus service to the city. Highland Village, Lewisville and Denton are the three member cities of DCTA, and a tax on residents in those cities helps to pay for DCTA operations. Dallas going green with new building program
The Dallas City Council recently adopted a resolution to create a building program that emphasizes energy efficiency and resource conservation. The move for more environmentally friendly building standards was pushed by Mayor Tom Leppert (pictured), who campaigned to develop serious environmental policies for the city. Dallas joins a long list of cities across the country to adopt standards to reduce energy consumption and combat greenhouse gas emissions. Recent studies have found that green construction not only is good for the environment, but it also costs less to operate, has higher occupancy rates and increases building values. San Antonio police department using new patrol carsTicket-prone drivers in San Antonio used to being on the lookout for the usual Ford Crown Victorias that the San Antonio Police Department has employed for years will have to start setting their sites on some new patrol cars. Gone are the Crown Victorias. In their place is a new fleet of Dodge Chargers, Chevrolet Impalas and Chevrolet Tahoes. The San Antonio police tactical services division unveiled its newest line of stealth patrol vehicle last week. The department also announced an $800,000 comprehensive grant from the Texas Department of Transportation that provides funds for officers to enforce speed limit laws on an overtime basis. Bell County officials planning for population growth
Bell County Judge Jon Burrows (pictured) and the county commissioners have decided to begin drafting a capital improvement plan to address the area's rapidly growing population. In coming weeks, Burrows said, all county department heads and elected officials will be sent questionnaires, asking them to identify their priorities for the next 10 years. Bell County has a population of about 260,000, which state demographers have projected will grow anywhere from 9 percent to 20 percent between 2010 and 2020. Burrows said he hopes to have a list of priorities to deal with by the first of the year. Cost of Young County Jail climbs past $12 millionWhen the Young County Commissioners Court approved the construction of a new 96-bed jail, the facility had a $9.75 million price tag. Since then, the project has grown to 144 beds and will cost $12,161,217. But the cost of the facility, currently under construction, continues to grow. Additional computers, an irrigation system and landscaping at the jail site totaling $86,500 recently were added to the budget. Much of the cost increase is connected to the expanded size of the jail to accommodate prisoners from other counties without adequate jail space. Commissioners are counting on revenue from housing additional inmates to help pay off the increasing cost of the jail.They are leaning toward a fee of about $40 a day per inmate but have not made a decision. Highland Park panel to propose school improvements
A Highland Park citizen committee, appointed by school district trustees, has compiled a long list of recommended school improvements for presentation to trustees this month, including tightened security, larger kitchens and a new gymnasium. The cost of the proposed improvements range from $60 million to $80 million and would require a bond election. The earliest a bond package could go to voters would be May 2008. The principal proposals call for enhanced security measures at schools, including moving front offices to the main entrance to create a secure entry area. The district recently began locking all doors during school hours and installed cameras at the main entrances. In recent years, school shootings around the nation have pushed security issues to the forefront, said Superintendent Cathy Bryce (pictured). The committee's wish list includes no new schools but some renovations and additional classrooms to meet new state science and physical education requirements. Other recommendations are repairs to existing buildings, including two elementary schools that have been in use more than 80 years. Longtime San Antonio planning director retires
Emil Moncivais (pictured) retired as director of San Antonio's Planning and Community Development Department on Wednesday, following a decade in the post. Moncivais' departure coincides with a transition in the city's planning division. The new job title for his yet-to-be-named replacement will be director of planning and community development. Moncivais holds a bachelor's degree and a master's degree Texas A&M University. He previously worked for the cities of Fort Worth and El Paso. School's air-quality concerns costly for Houston districtThe Houston Independent School District has spent more than $127,000 since August addressing air-quality issues at Key Middle School. The district moved students out of the 50-year-old school in late September after numerous staffers and students complained of ailments since school began Aug. 27. The biggest cost so far has been more than $100,000 in payments to private companies for cleaning services and air-quality tests at the school. The district also has paid more than $22,600 so far to cover teachers' expenses including medical bills and time off from work. But the cost could climb higher. About 80 percent of the school's staff members have filed workers' compensation claims, faulting their ailments on the building's air quality. Teachers filed about half of the claims, while the rest came from teachers' assistants, cafeteria workers, clerks and custodians. School officials initially resisted calls by the Houston Federation of Teachers to vacate the school. Tests by an independent contractor and city inspectors had not found unsafe levels of mold. In October, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the presence of mold at the school but did not address whether the mold was unsafe or caused sickness. Fort Worth prepares $150M street projects bond plan
Fort Worth city officials are busy drafting the beginnings of an estimated $150 million bond proposal for street improvements that voters likely will consider on May 10, 2008. Mayor Mike Moncrief (pictured) said this week that the bond package would address the City Council's top priority - road needs throughout the city. The staff has compiled a list of $1 billion in street improvement projects. So far, most council members have said the list should be cut down to $150 million. A bond issue higher than $150 million would require a property tax increase. The council is scheduled to approve a preliminary list of projects at its Nov. 6 meeting. Get your free copy of the Texas Government InsiderThe Texas Government Insider is a free weekly newsletter. If you are not a subscriber, or if you would like to sign up your friends or co-workers to receive a free copy, click here. |
Small businesses compete well for state contracts
By Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc. In a state as large as Texas, sometimes it's good to be small...especially when it comes to capturing a fair share of the state's multi-billion-dollar procurement marketplace. Not all procurement contracts go to large firms with multi-million-dollar holdings and thousands of employees. In fact, the state of Texas requires governmental agencies to make a "good faith" effort to use small and minority firms, which are usually called Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs). State agencies often give preference to prime contractors if HUB subcontractors are a part of the bid. And, of course, some HUB firms actually compete to be the prime contractor. In FY 2007, Texas' statewide spending with HUBs totaled more than $1.8 billion. Procurement through HUBs was significant for heavy construction, special trades, professional services, building construction, commodities and more. [more]Prepare to fall back
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San Antonio hosts Texas Homeland Security ConferenceRepresentatives of law enforcement, border and port security, transportation and cyber security, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, Texas Military Forces, voluntary organizations and the private sector will be on hand Monday through Friday, Dec. 3-7, for the 2007 Texas Homeland Security Conference. The conference is planned for the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio. Sponsored by the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and the Governor's Division of Emergency Management, those attending will hear from a variety of professionals from organizations and agencies that exemplify the Texas homeland security goals of prevention, protection, response and recovery. Attending will be representatives of higher education, public education and health and medical care, along with local, state and federal government officials. Also on hand will be representatives of more than 30 state agencies that are members of the Governor's Emergency Management Council. For more information, click here. Executive Women in Texas Government sets conferenceCommissioner Hope Andrade of the Texas Transportation Commission and Claudia Stravato, executive director of Planned Parenthood of Amarillo and the Texas Panhandle, will be keynote speakers for the upcoming Executive Women in Texas Government 21st Annual Professional Development Conference. The conference will be from 7:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 19, at the Renaissance Austin Hotel. During lunch, attendees will hear from businesswoman Linda Larsen on "The 7 Principles of Powerful Persuasion: Mastering the Art of Getting to 'Yes!'" Other activities during the conference will include a silent auction, more than two-dozen exhibits and numerous networking opportunities. Proceeds from the silent auction will benefit the EWTG scholarship program. There also will be some 30 workshops that will provide participants with opportunities for hands-on learning and development of leadership skills for multiple career levels. The 2007 Woman of the Year presentation and reception will begin at 3:30 p.m. The conference is open to all professionals and is designed for those who work in Texas government at all levels or those in affiliated organizations that support the purposes of EWTG. For more information, click here. To register, click here. |
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Bryan W. Shaw (pictured) of Bryan has been appointed to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The commission establishes, oversees and implements clean air, clean water and other environmental policies for the State of Texas. He replaces Kathleen White of Valentine whose term expired. He joins commissioners Buddy Garcia and Larry Soward. Gov. Rick Perry announced the appointment Thursday.
A. W. "Whit" Riter III (pictured) of Tyler has been named vice chair of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The board sets policies and coordinates efforts to improve Texas higher education. Riter has served on the board since 2004 and replaces Neal Adams of Euless as vice chair. Gov. Rick Perry announced the appointment Thursday.
