|
|
|
|
|
|
Burleson to lead criminal justice statistics officeGovernor says data analysis will assist policy initiativesJanna Burleson (below left with Gov. Rick Perry), Governor Rick Perry's policy advisor for criminal justice issues and former long-time advisor to Sen. Royce West, has been named director of the new Texas Criminal Justice Statistical Analysis Center. Perry this week announced Burleson's appointment and the creation of the center, which will work within his office to provide objective analysis and assessment of state criminal justice programs and initiatives. 
"By providing objective reports on statewide criminal justice trends, the Statistical Analysis Center will help policymakers develop effective and efficient criminal justice programs that will keep Texans safe," Perry said. "This center will help us manage our prison population better and attract more federal funds for crime prevention." Under the governor's order, the SAC will collect, analyze and report statewide criminal justice statistics. The center will also evaluate the effectiveness of state-funded initiatives. It will also serve as the state's liaison to the U.S. Department of Justice on criminal justice data reporting and research, a designation expected to make Texas eligible for more criminal justice funding. Proposed budget reform could affect agenciesGov. Rick Perry this week said he would seek changes in the state budget process to end "gimmicks" used to balance the budget, and also to improve public understanding of government spending. "Transparency is the cornerstone of public trust," Perry said. "If taxpayers are picking up the bill, they ought to be able to look at the receipt." One change Perry is proposing is a truth in spending initiatives that ban delayed payments and requires dedicated funds to be used as intended. Perry also advocates imposing a stronger spending limit on state government, as well as new requirement that state agencies publish expenditures online in a clear and consistent format. At least one state agency is taking Perry's proposal to heart. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) this week announced it has begun publishing its check register online. "We believe in open government," said TEA Commissioner Dr. Shirley Neeley. "The public has a right to know how their tax dollars are spent. Publishing our check register makes it easy for taxpayers to see where their money is going." Lone Star
Ed Serna· Assistant Executive Director for Support Operations, Texas Department of Transportation.Career highlights and education: Selection for my current position at TxDOT because it's provided me with the challenges and opportunities associated with managing a large statewide organization. Also, serving twice as the Interim Executive Director at DIR because of the experience I gained leading an organization through periods of uncertainty and change. What I like best about my job is: The flexibility it provides me to work on something different almost every day and to work on projects where I can clearly see the benefit to both the staff at TxDOT and the state's citizens. Best advice I've ever received for my current job: When I first started working for the state as an Enforcement Officer in Houston for the Comptroller's Office, a Senior Enforcement Officer told me to "get along with people and take care of your work, whatever it is, and everything else (pay, promotions, advancement) will fall into place." Advice you would give a new hire in your office: Learn the culture of the organization and as much as you can from the people who are already here doing the job, but don't feel constrained to keep doing things the same way just because they've always been done that way. Share you ideas for improvements and remember not everything needs to be changed, but that doesn't mean everything always has to stay the same either. If I ever snuck out of work early, I could probably be found: Enjoying a nice drive on some scenic road in Central Texas. People would be surprised to know that I: Enjoy doing as much of my own automobile maintenance and repairs as possible. One thing I wished more people knew about my job: Is that it is as much about coaching and providing support and encouragement for all levels of staff as it is about providing strategic direction. Book, magazine or newspaper article I've read recently that really influenced my thinking: "The Power of Ethical Management" by Blanchard & Peale. I first read this book back in the 1990's, but I've re-read it several times (most recently a couple of months ago) because I like the principles it advances. 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! Fuelberg wins annual Bullock Award
Ann Schwartz Fuelberg, executive director of the Employees Retirement System (ERS) of Texas, is this year's recipient of the Bob Bullock Award for Outstanding Public Stewardship. The award honors outstanding public employees who demonstrate a commitment to public service, as did the late lieutenant governor for whom the award is named. Under Fuelberg's direction, ERS has used technology to implement new services related to the agency's programs dealing with retirement, deferred compensation and flexible benefits for nearly 200,000 state employees and retirees. She also has broadened and diversified the ERS investments through information technology. Before joining ERS, Fuelberg served as a deputy comptroller at the State Comptroller's Office and was the first executive director of the Texas Department of Information Resources. The Bob Bullock Award is named after the 38th Texas lieutenant governor, who served two terms from 1991 to 1999. Last year's winner, Sen. Florence Shapiro of Plano, presented the award to Fuelberg. HHSC, DADS to receive federal fundingThe Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) will receive approximately $17.9 in new federal funding over the next five years to assist the elderly and persons with disabilities to move from institutional settings back to their communities. Texas is one of 17 states chosen to receive the funding. The new money and the existing allocation for these programs bring state and federal funding for these programs to $143 million. The additional funds will be used for the agency's Money Follows the Person (MFP) initiative and to expand its efforts for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and persons with behavioral health needs. The award-winning program has assisted more than 12,000 Texans in transitioning back to the community to receive long-term services and support. "Our focus will be on people in nursing facilities who have complex or mental health needs and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are residing in medium to large intermediate care facilities for persons with mental retardation," said Marc Gold, DADS Promoting Independence manager. Report addresses state's prison capacityA report to Texas lawmakers recommending changes to the criminal justice system says that the state could save money by creating facilities that are better suited to the needs of nonviolent offenders. Written by Tony Fabelo, former director of the Criminal Justice Policy Council, the report, "Justice Reinvestment: A Framework to Improve Effectiveness of Justice Policies in Texas," was funded by grants from the State Council on Governments, the Pew Foundation and the Justice Department. The report advocates holding off on $377 million in new prison construction and instead creating 6,500 non-violent offender beds in a variety of facilities. The resulting reduction in recidivism could save the state an additional $65 million, for a total savings of $442 million over the next five years. The new beds would be divided among facilities for probation and parole violators (2,400); residential treatment facilities for substance abuse (1,600); intensive substance abuse treatment and transitional housing facilities (200); a facility for drunken drivers (500); and the movement of two Texas Youth Commission lockups to the adult prison system (1,800). U.S. House cuts base consolidation fundsA spending bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives cut approximately $3 billion out of a $5.5 billion allocation for base closures and consolidations. In Texas, this cut could affect projects in San Antonio and El Paso. San Antonio was expecting to receive more than $126 million for construction projects at Lackland Air Force Base, Brooke Army Medical Center and Fort Sam Houston. The fort and medical center are supposed to be transformed into one of two major military medical and training centers in the country, a $1 billion project. El Paso was scheduled to receive $455 million for base consolidation projects at Fort Bliss. U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, has said that she will "use every possible maneuver" to get the base closure funds restored. Arriaga named AACOG director
Gloria C. Arriaga has been named executive director of the Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG). She has served AACOG since 1971, most recently as deputy executive director, where she oversaw administration, the Area Agencies on Aging, the Bexar Mental Retardation Authority, housing, HIV administrative services and workforce. AACOG Board Chairman Jack H. Leonhardt, mayor of Windcrest, said that Arriaga has "demonstrated skills leading the organization in providing efficient and effective services" to residents in the AACOG area. Arriaga earned her BBA degree from UT-San Antonio and her master's in urban administration from Trinity University. She is a graduate of Leadership San Antonio and is a former president of the Urban Management Assistants of South Texas. State workers may get wellness planState Rep. Dianne White Delisi of Temple, has proposed a statewide wellness program for state employees. Details haven't been finalized, but the program could include health tests, informational classes and fitness activities. The plan could save Texas an estimated $80 million over the first three to five years by reducing health care costs, absenteeism and disability claims, according to a Legislative Budget Board recommendation. The Department of State Health Services already has a wellness program in place and estimates that 30 percent of employees participate. Their program includes tagging cafeteria food for healthiness and giving employees extra leave time for physicals. Reform plan would increase higher ed fundingHigher education funding would increase by $711 million under a higher education reform plan touted by Gov. Rick Perry. That proposed infusion of funding would bring the state's spending on higher ed to $1.7 billion from all funds. In addition, Perry proposes to add $362 million to funding for financial aid, a 60 percent increase over current figures. He also proposes to fully fund the higher education operations formula and to change the funding mechanism by eliminating "special items" in higher ed budgets. Perry said doing that will ensure funding follows students and not schools. Funding allocations under the governor's plan will provide a performance-based incentive program for colleges and universities, an increase in need-based and performance-driven financial aid, and the creation of alternative programs to address nursing shortages throughout the state. Proposed ban on earmarks to hit TexasA congressional proposal to ban "earmarks" - the controversial practice of allowing lawmakers to attach home-state projects to spending bills with little scrutiny -- could affect a wide range of Texas projects. While there is no precise figure on the number of Texas projects that could lose funding this year, in 2005 the state received a total of $1.2 billion for "earmarked" projects. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas cited many legitimate programs and organizations that have come to rely on earmarks for funding. For example, Lee sought a $200,000 earmark for the Texas Southern University-Houston Independent School District Laboratory School, which educates students from preschool to fifth grade in a housing project. Other Texas projects that may lose funding are the Houston Zoo, which was slated to receive $200,000 for an educational center. Another $200,000 would have gone to the Pearland Business and Commerce Park to help the city acquire land and sell it to businesses at below-market rates. Projects that lose funding from earmarks can seek assistance from federal agencies, which will still have the latitude to underwrite projects if they can find money within their approved budgets. Here are some other Texas examples of projects endangered by the proposed "earmark" ban:
DFPS program addresses abuse preventionThe Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) has inked a one-year, $3.4 million contract with the University of Texas Medical School at Houston for a statewide program that will provide expert consultation regarding suspected cases of child abuse. The program also will provide training regarding child abuse and related issues for Child Protective Services (CPS) workers. CPS workers can, from anywhere in the state, contact child abuse experts on a toll free number - 1-888-TX4FACN (Forensic Assessment Center Network). The information garnered from these phone calls to child abuse experts is intended to assist CPS workers in deciding how best to protect a child suspected of being abused. Because of an anticipated large case load, the UT Medical School has made agreements with The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston to provide child abuse experts at those health institutions. Future plans include expanding the program to include experts from outside the University of Texas System. LBB summarizes recommendations for Senate Finance
Last week we reported that the Legislative Budget Board released its recommendations for FY 2008-09 appropriations. On Monday, LBB Director John O'Brien briefed the Senate Finance Committee on those recommendations. Here are some highlights of the recommendations:
Texas communities benefit from TPW grantsFourteen Texas communities will benefit from nearly $5 million in grant funds earmarked by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission for indoor and outdoor recreation projects. The projects include one indoor plan - a $375,000 matching grant to the City of Hempstead for a new recreation center. The Commission also approved $4.5 million in matching funds for 13 communities to acquire and develop outdoor recreation sites. The top projects were subject to a competitive scoring system. Some of the projects include funding for existing park expansions, renovation of park pavilions and RV campsites, addition of nature trails, swimming pools, miniature golf courses, development of sports facilities and sports parks, playgrounds and xeriscape demonstration gardens. Recipients of the grants include: City of Boyd, City of Brady, City of Canton, City of Clyde, City of Crawford, City of Dickens, City of Fate, City of San Marcos, City of Houston, City of Kennendale, City of Lampasas, Loving County and the City of Taylor. UTSA announces another doctoral program
The University of Texas at San Antonio has added its 20th doctoral program, approved recently by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The new Ph.D. degree that boasts a marketing concentration in business administration will be housed in the university's College of Business, and classes will begin this fall. UTSA President Dr. Richard Romo said the new doctoral program will help the university educate "scholars and business leaders who will ensure that Texas is a leader in the global, knowledge-based economy of the 21st Century." An emphasis on teaching and consumer behavior research will be the focus of the new doctoral program. Students will undergo course work as well as interaction with the department's research faculty. College of Business Dean Lynda de la Vina said she expects the program not only to lead to the growth of future business faculty members, but also to expand opportunities for marketing students at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Forest Service employee selected for training
Paul Hannemann, chief regional fire coordinator for the Texas Forest Service, is one of only two state employees to be selected as an Incident Commander Trainee on one of the two Southern Area Type I Incident Management Teams. Most of the 17 Type 1 teams are located in the Western United States, and all are qualified to carry out functions involving command, operations, planning, logistics and finance - all functions necessary to direct disaster response. The southern area teams include Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and the District of Columbia. Hannemann was chosen based on his knowledge, performance and leadership abilities, said Mark Stanford, fire operations chief for the Texas Forest Service. Stanford said once trained, Hannemann will join a "very elite group of individuals that our nation calls upon when the worst disasters occur." Hannemann's TFS career spans a dozen years. He was instrumental in the TFS Lone Star State Incident Management Team that distributed water, food and ice to victims of Hurricanes Rita and Katrina and helped coordinate the ground and air searches during the Columbia Shuttle recovery effort in 2003. He was also involved in a command role in the state's last 19-month fire season. UT-Dallas gets new vice president
The University of Texas at Dallas has appointed James B. Gary, Ph.D., as vice president and chief information officer, effective Feb. 1. Gary assumes a newly-created position, where he will be responsible for operating, upgrading and securing the university's information technology infrastructure. The new position replaces that of executive director for information resources. Gary received both his master's and doctorate degrees from UT Dallas and was most recently their assistant vice president for information resources. Texas Lutheran presidential finalists to visit
The three finalists for the presidency of Texas Lutheran University will meet with members of the Seguin community and the TLU community this week, seeking support for being named to the university's top post. Among the finalists are Dr. Vernon Miles, dean and English professor at Lynchburg College in Lynchburg, Va.; the Rev. Ann Svennungsen, president of the Fund for Theological Education; and Dr. Suzanne Shiley, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty at the College of Notre Dame of Maryland in Baltimore. The TLU Board of Regents will meet Feb. 23-24, at which time they will pick the successor to retiring President Dr. Jon Moline (pictured). Moline, who has held the post at TLU for the last 13 years, will retire in May. EPCC leader on list for president of Kansas college
Johnson County Community College in Kansas is considering Richard Rhodes, president of El Paso Community College, as a candidate for its vacant president position. Rhodes says that he is happy at El Paso Community College and is not actively job hunting, but decided to participate in the interview process after repeated contacts by the college's search firm. The previous president of the Kansas college left in 2005. Candidate interviews are under way and the board expects to make its decision by mid-March. TAMU-Commerce benefits from $1.5 million grantWith assistance from a $1.5 million grant from the Greater Texas Foundation, Texas A&M University-Commerce is partnering with rural area high schools on Project STEEM (science, technology, education, engineering and math). The project is geared toward rural students who may not have the same opportunities as those in larger schools. The first two components of the project are Infinity Institute, a residential summer math and science camp, and X-TEEMS Academy, which will bring teams of high school students to the Commerce campus for project-based learning. Those students attend the summer camp and then return to work on projects during the school year. The goal, said organizers, is to teach students that anyone can excel in math and science. Royal Brantley named interim dean of West Texas A&M
West Texas A&M University has named Royal Brantley as interim dean of the Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities. Brantley is a professor of theater and was head of the department of art, communication and theater at the university. Trudy Hanson, a professor of speech communication, is temporarily filling in as department head. A committee has begun a national search for a permanent dean and hopes to fill the position later this spring. UT-Austin names interim pharmacy dean
Dr. M. Lynn Crismon has been named interim dean of The University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy. He was previously the associate dean for clinical programs at the college. He replaces Dean Steven W. Leslie, who is now the executive vice president and provost of the university. The College of Pharmacy is conducting a national search for a permanent dean. Crismon's research interests include developing drug therapies to improve the health of people with mental disorders. He has a bachelor's degree in pharmacy from the University of Oklahoma College of Pharmacy and Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. Perry advocates more funds for clean airGov. Rick Perry’s proposed budget will contain an additional $183 million in funding for the Texas Emission Reduction Plan (TERP), a voluntary incentive program to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. He also supports allocating $20 million to fund a clean coal power plant in Texas. The proposed TERP funding would increase the program’s appropriation by 71 percent, from $257 million to $440 million for the next biennium. The increase in funds is predicted to reduce diesel emissions by an additional 36,000 tons. Revenue for TERP comes primarily from vehicle title transfer fees and surcharges on the purchase, lease or rental of heavy-duty equipment. The $20 million coal plant allocation would occur if Texas were chosen as the location of the world’s first near-zero-emission coal power plant, called FutureGen. The U.S. Department of Energy is currently considering sites near Jewett in East Texas and Odessa in West Texas, along with two other locations in the nation. If Texas is chosen, the funds would mainly be used for pipeline easement and carbon dioxide transportation costs. Oliver named to chair HCC board
Christopher W. Oliver (pictured) is the new chair of the Houston Community College Board of Trustees. He was elected last week to replace outgoing chair Jay K. Aiyer. Oliver, the District IX representative on the board, was first elected in 1995. He is an independent businessman in Houston, owning a construction vinyl cleaning company. He is also a former Equal Employment Opportunity specialist with the U.S. Department of Labor and earned his undergraduate degree from Texas Southern University, where he is currently a candidate for his master's degree. Two members of the board were re-elected - Vice Chair Yolando Navarro Flores and Secretary Diane Olmos Guzman. New board member Robert Mills Worsham, the District VI representative, was elected deputy secretary. Beaumont studies multi-million dollar bond voteA bond advisory committee in the Beaumont ISD has identified close to $1 billion in facility needs throughout the district's campuses, but school officials are looking at the possibility of a smaller bond election - in the neighborhood of $500-$600 million. The group is studying school replacements, renovations, expansions and possibly some new facilities in the district. Some of the proposed elements of a school bond election are: a 10,000-seat stadium and indoor swimming pool at a neutral site for the entire district to use; replacement of some portable buildings at various campuses; addition of science labs on some campuses; at least nine new schools; and numerous upgrades and renovations. Construction projects would be phased in over a five-year period. Perry to Give State of the State AddressGov. Rick Perry will give his biennial State of the State Address on Tuesday, Feb. 6. The speech will be given to a joint session of the legislature in the House chamber beginning at 10:30 a.m. For those who don't want to go to the Capitol to hear the speech, it will be video streamed on the House Video Channel. The Governor's State of the State speech is actually required by the Texas Constitution, which states "The Governor shall, at the commencement of each session of the Legislature, and at the close of his term of office, give to the Legislature information, by message, of the condition of the State; and he shall recommend to the Legislature such measures as he may deem expedient." Governor Perry's 2005, 2003, and 2001 State of the State speeches are available online. All state governors give State of the State speeches. A schedule of these speeches by the various governors and an archive of past speeches are available online. Knight retiring from ETCOGGlynn Knight, executive director of the East Texas Council of Governments, will retire at the end of May, following a 40-year career in public service. Knight has spent more than 25 of those years at ETCOG. He and his wife plan to move to Houston and open a learning center. A five-member subcommittee has been appointed to select Knight's successor. |
GLO investments protect school fund
By Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc. A sea change has very quietly occurred at the Texas General Land Office, affecting not only the funding of public schools, but a piece of Texas heritage. This and other changes are definitely signs of the times - and emotion aside, the change at the General Land Office is undoubtedly good. For the last 153 years, the Permanent School Fund has contributed money earned from state lands to Texas public schools. Far-sighted early Texans dedicated land rich with oil and gas assets to public schools, and for generations, Texas' oil and gas has borne much of the cost of educating children. In recent times, the PSF has contributed $800 million per year in revenue for public education. But three sessions ago, prompted by a decline in oil and gas revenues, the legislature gave the commissioner of the GLO the authority to begin investing the proceeds from mineral leases and royalties for the acquisition of additional real property and mineral interests on behalf of the PSF. The GLO has hired external fund managers to assist in a five-year plan to invest about $300 million a year. At the end of the first two years of the program, GLO officials say the investments on behalf of the PSF earned $60 million in annual returns. Their goal is to achieve a $150 million annual return from commercial real estate. "We've lived off oil and gas royalties and that is not a sustainable income stream," notes Bo Tanner, deputy commissioner for real estate. "Our purpose in investing in real estate is to create a sustainable income stream." In both the 78th and 79th sessions, the legislature gave additional authority to the GLO to invest in real estate - including the ability to purchase property outside of Texas. The School Land Board, which oversees the $21.6 billion PSF, plans to continue real estate investments until it diversifies the portfolio with 10 percent of its assets in real estate. At the moment, the largest single investment is a $100 million Baytown Wal-Mart shipping facility, but real estate investment opportunities with well-founded business justifications are welcomed at the agency. The pervasive symbol of Texas - the oil derrick - may become a museum piece. In the meantime, state leaders are using our past to prepare for the future. Cantrell joins SPI as intern
Strategic Partnerships, Inc., this week announces the addition of Katie Cantrell to the firm's staff. Cantrell, an intern at SPI, is pursuing a Master of Arts in Journalism degree from The University of Texas at Austin. She will assist with the writing and publication of SPI's weekly online newsletter, the Texas Government Insider, while assisting with the design and content of the SPI Web site and other media and news-related projects. Cantrell is a cum laude graduate of Colorado College, where she earned her bachelor's degree and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She is a freelance writer and has also done Web site consulting. SPI expands research staff
Nick Marx, who has served as a researcher and communications consultant in political campaigns and on legal issues, has joined Strategic Partnerships, Inc., as a research analyst. Marx, who received his undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, earned a master's degree in media studies at the University of Texas. Marx has extensive experience in media production, both film and print, and has served as a research assistant to the University of Texas Film Institute. He is fluent in Spanish. $50 million Disaster Contingency Fund proposedGov. Rick Perry is pushing for creation of a $50 million Disaster Contingency Fund to pay for disaster-related expenses that are not covered by federal programs. Such expenses would include pre-deploying state resources for anticipated disasters, such as hurricanes; reimbursing local administrations for disasters that do not meet federal reimbursement standards; paying for emergency operations in under-funded areas; and supplying the matching funds required for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reimbursements. If approved, the funds would be available Sept. 1 and would be managed by the Governor's Division of Emergency Management. DeBakey could win Congressional Gold Medal
Baylor College of Medicine Chancellor Emeritus Dr. Michael DeBakey is the subject of legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and co-sponsored by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, both of Texas, that would award the famed heart surgeon the Congressional Gold Medal. DeBakey, who also is director of the DeBakey Heart Center at Baylor, is recognized in the legislation for his many outstanding achievements and pioneering efforts in cardiac and vascular health. Hutchison called DeBakey a "legendary surgeon, teacher and inventor" who has committed his life to cardiovascular medicine. Cornyn said the Houston surgeon's medical contributions over the years have "touched the lives of countless Texans and, indeed, people around the world." In addition to his inventions and research and new surgery techniques related to cardiovascular medicine, DeBakey helped develop the Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) units that saved thousands of lives during the Korean and Vietnam conflicts, and helped establish the Veteran's Administration Medical Center Research System. Llano ISD prepares for bond electionThe Llano Independent School District is anticipating a bond election in 2007, possibly as soon as May, to address immediate needs in the school district. The bond proposal includes air conditioning repairs, roof replacement at the elementary school, replacement of outdated buses, and changes to technological infrastructure. Paul Quinn president resignsAfter only six months on the job, John K. Waddell has resigned as president of Paul Quinn College. Waddell, who will be leaving later this month, has taken the position of president of Denmark Technical College in Denmark, S.C. Tarleton State University vice president to retire
Dr. Gary Peer, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Tarleton State University, recently announced his plans to retire on Aug. 1, 2007. "Tarleton has a way of becoming a very special place to those of us privileged to work here," he said. "My experience here has simply been among the best in my career." Peer's retirement concludes a 40-year career in education. Floresville ISD voters to face bond issueVoters in the Floresville ISD will go to the polls in May to decide the fate of a $63 million bond election approved this week by the district's school board. The bond proposal provides for a new elementary school as well as renovations to the existing high school. The $50 million renovations at the high school would reduce the number of buildings on the campus from 21 to five, and the remaining $13 million would build a new elementary school in the northern area of the district. Officials say the bond issue is in response to the district reaching capacity as its student population grows. The district's enrollment, which is nearing 4,000, is expected to increase by more than 1,000 over the next 10 years. Comfort superintendent heads to Colorado
John Rouse, superintendent of the Comfort ISD, has accepted a similar position with a Salida, Colorado, school district and will be leaving Comfort at the end of June. The CISD school board will meet next month and will consider seeking outside assistance for its search for a replacement for Rouse. Rouse served the school district for a little over three years. Will state's lottery be for sale?The state coffers could get a huge infusion of money if the rumored possible sale of the state's lottery actually occurs. Gov. Rick Perry could include a plan to privatize the Texas Lottery in his upcoming State of the State address. While other states are considering selling their state-run lotteries, if Texas' is sold, it would be the largest lottery sale in the country. The Texas Lottery was established in 1992. Rodriguez named interim city manager in Del Rio
Frances Rodriguez, who most recently has served as Del Rio's finance director, has been named interim city manager. She agreed to take on the position until a new city manager can be named, and on the stipulation that she will be allowed to return to her finance director position once a city manager is hired. Rodriguez has been with the city since 1999, when she was hired as the city's chief accountant. She left the city in 2004 to accept a job in Alaska, but returned to Del Rio in 2005 as the city's chief financial officer. Pearland voters would support bond issueA University of Houston Center for Public Policy survey indicates that Pearland voters would support a bond election that includes street improvements, drainage projects, a new fire station, expansion of the city library, and parks and recreation construction. The City Council has until March 12 to call the election. Baytown city manager to retire
Baytown City Manager Gary Jackson, who has held that post since 2002, has announced that he will be leaving Baytown in March to take the assistant city manager job in Deer Park. Jackson was appointed interim city manager in 2002, after having served as assistant city manager. The city is expected to appoint an interim city manager soon after Jackson's last day on March 2. That person will take on the city manager duties until a permanent replacement is named. TSU Advisory Committee appointed
Dr. Raymund A. Paredes, the Texas Commissioner of Higher Education, is one of 11 members Gov. Rick Perry has appointed to the newly created Texas Southern University Advisory Committee. The committee will work with the Board of Regents to improve the school's finances and to develop a long-range plan. Perry has set a March 15 deadline for the plan. The committee, led by Chairman Glen Lewis of Fort Worth, also includes: Gary L. Bledsoe, Austin; Judge Zinetta A. Burney, Houston; Larry R. Faulkner, Houston; Anthony W. Hall, Jr., Houston; Howard E. Jefferson, Houston; Richard Salwen, Austin; Cynthia A. Spooner, Houston; Richard Knight, Jr., Dallas; and Albert Myres, Houston. Pearson named for job at UT-Brownsville/TSC
Dr. David Pearson, a member of the faculty at the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College since 1997, has been named Vice President for Partnership Affairs. Pearson will serve as a liaison between the TSC Board Board of Trustees and the administration. He will oversee land acquisitions, budgets, elections, tax matters and the projects that are part of a 2004 bond package of $68 million. Pearson replaces Dr. Wayne Moore, former interim vice president. Dr. Juliet V. Garcia, president, called Pearson an "excellent choice," noting his past classroom work gives him the "vision to help implement the important work of this office." Gov. Rick Perry has made the following appointment:
Alonzo retiring from Extension ServiceTexas Engineering Extension Service Deputy Director Arturo Alonzo has resigned to become the deputy commissioner for business and finance at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. His resignation is effective Feb. 9 and he will begin his new job at THECB on Feb. 12. Alonzo began his career with TEEX as the chief accountant in the San Antonio office and was promoted to regional coordinator of administrative services and then to assistant agency director and associate agency director. He has served as deputy director since 2001. SPI seeks additional K-12 consultants in Texas Recent Reports
Event Links
Texas Government Insider ArchivesVolume 1, 2, 3 and 4 Archives - 11/7/03 - 12/22/06 Resources
Strategic Partnerships, Inc. (SPI) is a research and consulting firm offering business development and public affairs services. |
 |
|
AGA monthly meeting to feature OIGThe Association of Government Accountants will hold its monthly luncheon Thursday, Feb. 8, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. at Dan McKlusky's Restaurant in Austin. The featured speaker will be Brian Flood, Inspector General of the Health and Human Services Commission. The cost is $18 for members, $20 for non members and includes lunch. For reservations, mail to: Eddie.Chan@ers.state.tx.us no later than noon of Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2007. State government Internet security forum scheduledThe 7th Annual Internet Security Forum will be held Wednesday, March 28, at the J.J. "Jake" Pickle Research Campus in Austin. The Department of Information Resources is currently seeking input on topics to be addressed. For more information, click here. |
|
 |
|