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Rawson to lead technology agencyOlson departs after out-sourcing contract signed
The Department of Information Resources Board this week named Brian Rawson, a veteran of state government, as interim executive director of the state's technology agency. He replaces Larry Olson, who announced his resignation this week. Rawson, who has served as director of the Service Delivery Division for DIR since June 2005, has accumulated more than 20 years of experience in a variety of information technology management and administrative positions. 
His career includes service with the Texas Department of Transportation, the Texas Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund Board and as chief information officer of the Texas Education Agency. "I believe we must stay the course on our focus to reduce government costs, protect our technology and critical information assets and continue to foster collaboration on key statewide technology initiatives," Rawson said. "We have three core principles which have become part of our culture: business-driven approaches, collaboration and accountability. As long we keep these core principles at the forefront of every discussion, challenges will become opportunities. Rawson also said that security would continue to be a priority at DIR. "We must all embrace information security roles and responsibilities at every level, not only at the enterprise and agency levels, but also at the user level." Noting that his appointment was made on an interim basis, Rawson said he would approach the job armed with the cumulative lessons learned during his career in state government. "In the final analysis, nothing can replace clarity of purpose, hard work and a passion for public service," he said. Olson, 54, said he had accomplished the goals he set upon his arrival at DIR in May 2004 with the recent outsourcing of information technology for 27 state agencies. Lone Star
Tom Craddick· Speaker of the Texas HouseCareer highlights: What I like best about my job is: Favorite quote: What advice would you give a new hire in your office? People would be surprised to know that: Each week, the Texas Government Insider profiles a key government executive or decision-maker in state government. If you would like to suggest a “Lone Star,” please email us at editor@spartnerships.com. We’re also interested in hearing about promotions, reorganizations, awards or other news related to work inside Texas state agencies. Drop us a line! Governor shakes up press staffGov. Rick Perry this week named his longtime press secretary, Kathy Walt, as special assistant for communications and hired former campaign spokesman Robert Black to serve as press secretary. "Kathy and Robert provide invaluable advice and expertise as a part of my communications team, and they will play a critical part in advancing my initiatives related to education reform, job creation and border security in their new roles," Perry said. In her new position, Walt, a former Houston Chronicle reporter, will help direct the Governor's Competitive Council, an initiative to help state government collaborate with the private sector and institutions of higher education. She will also work with state agencies to promote public policy initiatives with the governor's office. Prior to his role with the Perry campaign, Black served as deputy press secretary to Perry. Black also has worked as communications director for the Texas Department of Insurance, for the Greg Abbott campaign for attorney general and for the Republican Party of Texas. Also joining the Perry press office will be Ted Royer, who will serve as deputy press secretary. Royer most recently served as speech writer and deputy press secretary for Perry's re-election campaign. Prior to that, Royer served as deputy communications director for the governor and as communications director for the Republican Party of Texas. Woodlands, Houston strike deal
Houston officials have struck a deal with The Woodlands to allow that neighborhood to choose self-government over annexation. Under the agreement, the master-planned community of about 84,000 residents would enter into an economic partnership with the City of Houston to fund mutually beneficial regional projects totaling $45 million. The agreement was praised by both State Sen. Tommy Williams, who represents The Woodlands, and Houston Mayor Bill White (pictured)as an example of cooperation between communities that depend on each other. The agreement will require passage of state legislation: to expand an improvement district to collect sales tax in all of The Woodlands and to permit regional agreements between cities and communities. SAT, ACT may replace TAKSLt. Gov. David Dewhurst threw his support behind a proposal to replace the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) with end-of-course exams for high school students. In addition, high school seniors might be required to take either the SAT or ACT, two college admissions tests, which the state would pay for so it could compare Texas students with their peers in other states. Senate Education Committee chairwoman Florence Shapiro has called for the change, as well as reviewing the current policy of testing middle and elementary school students. Dewhurst's remarks came at a pre-legislative conference on education issues, which also highlighted other issues such as mandatory fingerprinting of all school employees to ensure student safety from sex offenders. Gates wins confirmation as defense secretary
The U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly to confirm the appointment of Texas A&M University president Robert Gates as Secretary of Defense this week. Gates will be sworn in after he presides over commencement ceremonies in Bryan on Dec. 15 and 16. In a farewell letter to the "Aggie family," Gates said, "As the end of my service as President draws near, please know that for the rest of my life I will always be an Aggie. Wherever I am, whatever I am doing, as long as I live, I will bleed Maroon." Gates is a former director of the Central Intelligence Agency. During his tenure at A&M, he has worked to improve the faculty-student ratio. College employment up; agency jobs declineTexas state agencies are employing 8.4 percent fewer employees than a decade ago, but employment at state colleges and universities has jumped by 26 percent, according to a new state audit. Higher education officials noted that student enrollment has increased by more than 20 percent in the same period, while research and medical facilities have also expanded their work. Two-thirds of those employees can be found within the Texas A&M or University of Texas systems. The higher education sector - including research and medical facilities - accounts for 40 percent of all state jobs. To view the full report, see the link in our "Recent Reports" column. Lawmaker seeks review of foster systemNewly elected State Sen. Carlos Uresti said the state should take emergency action in light of the death of a child placed in a foster home by a now-closed private agency. This week a 6-year-old girl was allegedly killed by a 14-year-old boy in a DeSoto foster home. The girl was placed in the home by a private agency which has since been shut down by the state. Some critics of the state's plan to fully privatize foster placements have suggested that the legislature should rethink the policy. But Uresti said that debate should wait until after state officials have taken steps to ensure the safety of children in the system. Highway enhancement put on hold
Officials with the Texas Department of Transportation have pulled funding from proposed trail, beautification and tourists projects to concentrate on traffic congestion relief in the wake of an announcement from the federal government that it will cut $305 million from the $14.5 billion 2004-09 Transportation Enhancement Program. Transportation Commission Chairman Ric Williamson said the department had received 332 applications for enhancement projects statewide. For a complete list of affected statewide projects, corresponding cities and federal funds requested, click here. Border watch measures expensiveThe Department of Homeland Security this week estimated that the Bush administration's plan to build a high-tech "virtual fence" along the border with Mexico would require nearly $8 billion and five years to complete. The report also conceded that the government now only effectively controls 284 miles of the nearly 2,000-mile border. The "virtual fence" would assist the department by deterring illegal immigration with a mix of ground sensors, lighting, aerial surveillance, fencing and vehicle barriers. Meanwhile, the Texas Web site streaming video from the border was recently turned off after 27 days when it cost twice as much as officials had anticipated, but not before it registered some 28 million hits. The test site was expected to cost $100,000, but because of the overwhelming response, the private vendor needed another $100,000 to maintain the site, which streamed videos from 12 border cameras. Officials did not disclose how many apprehensions occurred as a result of the Web site. Texas ranks poorly in anti-tobacco spendingA coalition of public health associations reported that Texas ranks 45th in the country among states for funding tobacco prevention programs, with only $5.2 million a year earmarked to deter smoking. The coalition - which includes the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society and American Lung Association - noted that Texas collected $1.4 billion from the tobacco industry settlement and tobacco taxes. Maine ranked highest, spending $14.7 million on tobacco prevention programs. Texas ports to get busier
A study commissioned by the Texas Department of Transportation has concluded that a planned $5.25 billion expansion of the Panama Canal will accelerate growth at all of Texas' seaports. In particular, the Port of Houston can expect to see increased traffic as a result of the expansion, which will enable the nearly 100-year-old waterway to handle larger ships. Overall, the expansion will make Texas ports the preferred entry point for goods shipped into the United States. The TxDOT-commissioned study also found that the Panama Canal's expansion will create a new imperative for building the Trans-Texas corridor, since more goods will be shipped through Texas to other U.S. destinations. "The Panama Canal expansion will have profound impacts on job opportunities and economic development for Texas, as well as solidify Texas as the trade corridor of this hemisphere for decades to come," said Transportation Commissioner Ted Houghton. "The commission is committed to doing whatever it takes to ensure Texas is ready to respond to this significant shift in trade." Texas A&M regents choose San Antonio site
Texas A&M University System Board of Regents decided to lease building space from the South San Antonio Independent School District in order to double classroom capacity for a campus that will eventually become Texas A&M University-San Antonio. As part of the lease agreement, the A&M system will provide 10 scholarships per semester to academically qualified students from the district to attend TAMU-San Antonio or Palo Alto College. "This building lease is another important step we are taking toward strengthening the already-thriving center and working to establish it as a permanent A&M campus in South San Antonio," said John White, chairman of the Board of Regents. "This is a project to which we are strongly committed, and this facility is absolutely ideal for 'growing' the campus. It will require only minimal modification for classrooms, provide more than 30,000 square feet in additional space, and is in a great location only two blocks away from classrooms and resources our students currently utilize on the Palo Alto College campus." TDHCA revises public comment periodThe Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs will accept public comments from Dec. 15 until Jan. 2 on a plan to spend $428.7 million in federal Community Development Block Grants to help communities recover from damage caused by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The plan will be posted on the agency's Web site on Dec.15: www.tdhca.state.tx.us. Three public hearings will also be held: in Austin and Houston on Tuesday, Dec. 19, and in Beaumont, on Wednesday, Dec. 20. While the location of the meetings has not been finalized, that information also will be announced on TDHCA's Web site. The department will accept public comments at each meeting or by mail, addressed to: TDHCA Division of Policy and Public Affairs, P.O. Box 13941, Austin, TX 78711-3941; fax at: (512) 469-9606; or via e-mail at: info@tdhca.state.tx.us. Study: Streetcars an Austin economic boonThe Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority's proposed $230 million streetcar system could help raise downtown property values by 13.2 percent, or approximately $700 million, according to an economic impact study of the proposal. Conducted by Capitol Market Research, the study predicted the proposed system, which has yet to be approved by voters, would attract new development downtown. The streetcar system would run down Congress Avenue and connect downtown to the redevelopment at the city's old Mueller airport site. TAMU health science center to be built in Bryan
Texas A&M System regents have decided to construct a new health science center campus on a site donated by the city of Bryan. While Bryan officials acknowledged the $6.6 million gift represented a substantial investment for the city, they were pleased the site was chosen. "It will promote growth in the City of Bryan, and it brings name recognition not only locally but nationally," Bryan Mayor Ernie Wentrcek said of the decision. "The return will be in the long term. It will play out over decades." The 200-acre site will include a research building, a college of medicine and an education facility with a portion reserved for public-private medical partnerships. The site is next to 88 additional acres owned by the City of Bryan, which city officials hope will attract new businesses that will contribute to the city's tax base. Lakey hired as Commissioner of State Health Services
Texas Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Albert Hawkins has announced the selection of Dr. David L. Lakey as commissioner of the Department of State Health Services. Currently, Dr. Lakey serves as chief of infectious disease and medical director of the Center for Pulmonary and Infectious Disease Control at the University of Texas Health Center in Tyler, where he has been a faculty member since 1998. "I am deeply honored to have this opportunity to work with the excellent and dedicated professionals at the Department of State Health Services," Dr. Lakey said. "In Texas, there are many challenges in public health and working with the governor, the legislature and the department will be very satisfying. This is a great state, and I am proud and humbled by this opportunity to serve." Dr. Charles E. Bell, who has been acting commissioner, will return to his post as a deputy executive commissioner at the Health and Human Services Commission. LCRA to turn manure into powerThe Lower Colorado River Authority has signed an agreement to purchase gas produced from a Huckaby Ridge power plant that turns cow manure into natural gas. The Huckaby Ridge facility, located in Erath County west of Fort Worth, will be fully operational by April 2007 and is expected to produce 1 billion cubic feet of so-called bio gas per year. "This purchase agreement demonstrates our commitment to providing clean, renewable energy to the people of Texas," says Dan Kuehn, executive manager of wholesale power services at LCRA. Open Meetings, Records training offered
In the hopes of reducing confusion among government officials about the Texas Open Meetings and Open Records' laws, the Office of the Attorney General has produced two videos to provide legally required training for newly elected officeholders. Attorney General Greg Abbott, whose office is responsible for civil enforcement of both laws, says his office last year received 11,300 requests for guidance on the law, which represents a 40 percent increase in two years. Texas lawmakers last session adopted a requirement that all elected officials who participate in public meetings and deal with public records must receive training on the laws. They can receive that training by viewing the free videos on the AG's Web site at www.oag.state.tx.us. For those without Internet access, a free DVD or VHS cassette of the videos can be requested by calling the OAG at (800) 252-8011. Abbott noted that U.S. District Judge Rob Junell recently ruled against former Alpine city council persons who argued that the Texas laws were overly broad and restricted free speech. "As Attorney General, I have learned that public officials do not always know what is required of them," Abbott said. "By educating officials about their duty to provide information to the citizens they represent and to conduct lawful open meetings that are accessible to the public, my office can help ensure they follow both the spirit and the letter of the law." More cities gearing up for red-light cameras
The Irving City Council appears poised to approve installation of red-light cameras at intersections with high rates of accidents in a program geared toward public safety. Mayor Herbert Gears (pictured) said he wanted the program to focus on public safety and not "just creating another revenue stream" for the city. If the program goes forward, Irving would join the North Texas cities of Coppell, Dallas, Plano and Richardson in employing cameras to deter drivers from running red lights. Houston suburb Jersey village is also considering a proposal allowing cameras at certain intersections to snap photos of motorists failing to stop at red lights. Mayor Ed Heathcott directed city police chief Charles Wedemeyer to investigate a proposal from a private vendor who has offered to install the cameras at no cost to the city, in return for a portion of traffic citation revenues. Grant assists city's BRAC project planning
San Antonio city officials are planning to hire new staff with a $1.2 million grant it received to help address the impact of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) committee decisions. The grant, provided by the Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA), will assist the city's efforts to restructure San Antonio's military bases by devising a growth management plan with emphasis on transportation and infrastructure needs. City of San Antonio Councilman Richard Perez, who also serves as chairman of the Military Transformation Task Force, says getting the growth management plan in place will be critical in preparing for a bond election to help fund proposed improvements in the Fort Sam Houston vicinity. Texas State plans human decomposition studiesOfficials at Texas State University are studying the creation of an outdoor laboratory which would allow researchers to observe human decomposition in various conditions. No location has been selected, but researchers would need at least a six-acre tract that could be surrounded by prison-style fencing and monitored by video surveillance. The project would allow researchers and law enforcement personnel to observe the decomposition process, in hopes of improving the ability of law enforcement to predict time of death. Currently, only two facilities exist in the U.S. for such purposes - in California and Tennessee. |
Government seeks new strategies for energy savings
By Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc. When is a huge state agency like your typical Texas homeowner? Answer: When the utility bill arrives in the mail. Whether it is Susie Jones with a 2,000-square foot bungalow or the executive director of a 2,000-employee agency, the reaction to today's skyrocketing utility bills in both cases will likely mirror the stages of grief: shock, denial, anger and acceptance. Our personal experiences tell us that unexpected utility bills can throw off our budgets, but imagine that on the macro-scale of state government: Officials at the Texas A&M System Health Science Center recently told Senate Finance Committee members that that institution's bills had risen a whopping 200 percent in the last five years. At the system's Bryan campus, officials estimate that electricity and natural gas purchases from 1994-2000 cost $18.6 million. In fiscal year 2006 alone, the university will spend $55 million. Of course, enrollment and campus size have grown over that time period; nonetheless, the state officials increasingly are spotlighting utility bills as an area where government can become more efficient. This week, the Senate Governmental Organization Committee released its interim report on the issue of the state energy consumption. It noted foremost that state agencies can seek help in lowering their bills through the State Energy Conservation Office's state energy management contract, which provides help in negotiating better rates. But the committee also recommended "more aggressive application" of energy performance contractors. These contractors provide energy audits and carry out needed renovations or facility upgrades that save energy. They not only guarantee savings, their payment is linked to actual energy savings realized by their work. Based on testimony from both private sector vendors and government officials, the committee concluded that "the trend for use of energy performance contractors is the most effective measure being utilized by other states and the federal government." For example, the General Accounting Office has saved 20 percent on utility bills since implementing energy performance contracts, which has translated into a $2 billion savings on electricity alone. While some state agencies - the Health and Human Services Commission, Texas Parks and Wildlife and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice - have begun using energy performance contractors, most agencies have not yet adopted this approach. "All state agencies should take advantage of the State Energy Conservation Office's guidelines or negotiate with an energy performance contracting company to apply the same energy conservation strategy to their agency," the interim report states. Energy performance contracts allow governmental entities to benefit from entrepreneurship and cutting-edge technology. It's no wonder the Senate committee was so enthusiastic. TAMU honors "inspiring" high school teacherTexas A&M University has chosen Harmony High School teacher Cody Darby as recipient of its Inspiration Award for Exceptional Secondary Education, a new award given to teachers who encouraged and mentored students who went on to succeed at Texas A&M. In announcing the award, then-President Robert Gates said, "These outstanding educators are inspiring the leaders of tomorrow." Darby, who teaches agricultural science, was selected on the basis of nominations by three of his students who are graduating from Texas A&M next week. He will be given the opportunity to present Texas A&M diplomas to each of the students who nominated him - an honor normally retained by the university president. Both he and his wife are Texas A&M graduates. Humble school chief Texas award nominee
Humble Independent School District Superintendent Guy Sconzo has been named as the Texas nominee in a national Superintendent of the Year competition. Selected by a Texas Association of School Administrators committee, Sconzo submitted essays with his nomination on such issues as President George Bush's educational initiative called No Child Left Behind, the evolving role of a superintendent and influential educational research. He also touted the district's involvement in the community. In the essay, he wrote: "Two words show how our schools fulfill their civic mission: service learning. Service learning provides both the expectation and opportunity for students and schools to fulfill their civic mission." The contest is sponsored by Aramark and the American Association of School Administrators. Former UT official wins confirmation to head FDA
Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach was confimed this week as Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration after serving as acting commissioner since Sept. 2005. Dr. von Eschenbach served as director of the National Cancer Institute. Prior to that, he served as executive vice president and chief academic officer at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Combs announces senior appointmentsComptroller-elect Susan Combs this week officially announced the appointment of three senior advisers in her new administration. Lisa Woods will serve as associate deputy comptroller, Sarah Whitley as special adviser to the comptroller and Pete Slover as special counsel to the comptroller. Woods is heading up the transition team for Combs and has nearly 10 years of experience in state government, most recently as deputy commissioner at the Texas Department of Agriculture. Whitley has legislative experience working for Rep. David Swinford and also served as Combs' campaign manager. Slover is an attorney and former reporter for the Dallas Morning News Austin bureau. Friendswood enters "official language" debateCity of Friendswood officials are debating a proposed amendment to the city charter that would declare English as the city's official language. Council member Chris Peden, a proponent of the measure which would be put to voters on May 12, said he wanted to "head off problems" before they started in Friendswood. He said it was not intended to discourage the use of other languages in Friendswood. The proposal would formalize the practice of conducting city meeting and city publications in English. Recently, Farmers Branch made national news by adopting anti-illegal immigration measures. Several Texas schools name new chiefsOlivio Del Hierro, a San Angelo area school administrator, has been named as the lone finalist for the Benjamin Independent School District (BISD) superintendent position. Del Hierro received both her bachelor's and master's degree from Midwestern State University. She received her superintendent certification from San Angelo State University. Tyler Independent School District trustees named Deputy Superintendent Gary Mooring as interim superintendent during their search for a permanent replacement following the departure of Superintendent David Simmons. The Board of Trustees of the Orangefield Independent School District has found a replacement for the vacancy that will be left after Superintendent Mike Gentry's retirement becomes official. The trustees named Assistant Superintendent Philip Welch as the lone candidate for the position. Welch has been with OISD since 1986 and has served as a high school teacher, assistant high school principal, administrative assistant and elementary school principal. Newly elected senator gearing up for sessionKirk Watson, Austin's new state senator-elect, has announced he will hire Celinda Provost as his chief of staff. Provost previously worked as chief of staff to State Rep. Allan Ritter. She also has served as public information officer for the State Office of Court Administration, as a legislative aide to State Rep. Pete Gallego, and as committee clerk for the Joint House and Senate General Investigating Committee. Provost has also worked in political campaigns, including State Rep. Mark Strama's first race for the Texas House. A&M's Reed Arena gets new chiefTexas A&M University officials announced this week that Phillip Ray, formerly assistant vice president for business affairs at Texas Tech University, has been named the new director of Reed Arena. Ray's career has also included stints at Raytheon Aircraft, Texas A&M-Commerce and the Katy Independent School District. Ray, who formerly served as assistant vice president for business affairs at Texas Tech University, will replace Carroll Albritton, who will retire in January. State bonds to help Nimitz museumThe Texas Public Finance Authority this week approved the sale of $9 million in state bonds to assist in a facelift of a Fredericksburg museum dedicated to the memory of Navy Admiral Charles Nimitz. The bonds will pay for part of a $16 million makeover for the National Museum of the Pacific War, the George Bush Gallery and the Nimitz Steamboat Hotel. Nimitz, who was born in Fredericksburg, commended the Pacific fleet during World War II. 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
Strategic Partnerships, Inc. (SPI) is a research and consulting firm offering business development and public affairs services. |
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TASSCC conference to focus on technologyThe 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 Comptroller-elect, and Dr. Michael Cox, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. Click here for more information. TDSHS conference slated to discuss HIVThe Texas Department of State Health Services will hold the 15th Texas HIV/STD prevention conference Dec. 12-15 at Austin's Renaissance Hotel. Rural health, environmental issues to be discussedThe state Office of Rural Community Affairs has convened a meeting of state agency heads to discuss and exchange ideas reguarding rural Texas at the Texas State Capitol in the Member's Lounge, Rm. E2.1002 on Dec. 12 at 9 a.m. UT offers free software seminarThe University of Texas Center for Lifelong Engineering Education will host a "breakfast brawl" at the J.J. Pickle Research Campus on Dec. 12, 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., entitled "Process Management in Sofware Development. Click here for more information. |
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