$2.4 billion in federal funds earmarked for state

Military construction projects amount for more than half of revenue

Each year, Congress appropriates billions of dollars in federal spending to keep the government running. However, sometimes hidden among the appropriations are earmarks, or funds for specific local programs designed by members of Congress for their state or district.

This year, more than $2.4 billion in projects was earmarked for Texas, not counting projects shared with other states. The projects come under categories such as Defense, Military Construction, Energy and Water, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and others.

Sometimes these earmarks fly in under the radar, but they add up to major opportunities for contracts with state and local governments and universities. Texas ranked second only to California in earmark amounts.

Officials report 'crisis' in student financial aid

Funding, funding sources becoming harder to find in higher ed

The good news is that more students are enrolling in Texas institutions of higher education. The bad news is that those who depend on financial aid or loans to attend college are going to find available funding, and funding sources, harder and harder to find.

At a legislative subcommittee hearing earlier this week, Texas Commissioner of Higher Education Dr. Raymund Paredes (pictureda) told lawmakers that participation rates among Texans enrolling in higher education have gone up from 4.9 to 5.4 percent in the last five years. That is helping the state toward fulfilling the goals of the state's "Closing the Gaps" education initiative. However, he noted that to further increase that participation rate, the state must make college more accessible to lower income students - and that translates into the need for more financial aid.

Paredes said Texas students are more reliant on college loans than students in other states. "Students are accumulating so much in loan debt now that it's affecting their life and career choices," he said. As an example, he noted that students who have just graduated from college are much less likely to go into a low-paying career field such as teaching if they accumulated $15,000 to $20,000 in college loan debt.

Strategic Partnerships salutes Texas' Lone Stars

This week's salute is to Denise Trauth, president, Texas State University-San Marcos

Career highlights and education: I grew up in Ohio and went to Catholic schools. I earned my B.A. in English literature at the College of Mount St. Joseph, my M.A. in journalism at the Ohio State University School of Journalism, and my Ph.D. in mass communication from the University of Iowa's School of Journalism and Mass Communication. My career has taken me to the University of Tulsa, Bowling Green State, North Carolina-Charlotte and Texas State. I have followed a fairly traditional career ladder, working my way from assistant to associate to full professor with tenure and administratively from chair to associate dean to dean to provost to president.

What I like best about my job is: I get to meet and work with the most amazing people in the world. Inside a university you find a broad range of backgrounds and experience, and among the alumni and friends of the university, you'll find some of the most interesting people you can imagine, people who are making a real impact on the world.

The best advice I've received for my current job is: I value a piece of advice I received from Larry Faulkner, then president of UT, when I first took this job: At a large organization, drive slowly but never stop.

Advice I would give a new hire in my office: Always be a mentor and have a mentor. The most rewarding thing we can do in life is to help other people. This will be one of the most interesting jobs you'll ever have, because the range and scope of topics that reach this office is great. Expect the best of yourself, but be ready to help others learn how to be more successful.

If I ever snuck out of work early, I could probably be found: I'd probably be on the track at the Student Recreation Center. I'm an avid aerobic exerciser; it keeps me healthy and sane. If I can't be found in the SRC then I'm probably somewhere with my husband. We have been married for almost 35 years and still love being together.

People would be surprised to know that I: love to cook and enjoy preparing dinner on Sunday if John and I have no events in our schedule. I have five sisters, and we all still have Trauth as our last name, and we all have terminal degrees in our fields.

One thing I wish more people knew about Texas State University: That 25 states in this country do not have a university as large as Texas State, and we are among the 20 largest producers of baccalaureate degrees for Hispanic students in the nation. Because Texas has so many large universities, people sometimes tend to focus on only the two largest ones without recognizing the size, scope and impact of several others including Texas State, especially on the traditionally underrepresented groups in Texas.

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 corrections officers in line for pay increase

The Texas Board of Criminal Justice this week voted to increase by 10 percent salaries for new corrections officers. The raises will go into effect May 1. Additionally, a recruiting bonus of $1,500 for new officers was approved for those candidates who begin their careers with the state's correction system at a facility that is understaffed.

Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) Executive Director Brad Livingston (pictured) called filling the empty corrections officer slots "the most urgent operational challenge" that TDCJ faces. The system currently has more than 3,500 corrections officer vacancies.

The changes relative to salaries also reworks seniority requirements so new officers can move up to higher pay scales quicker.

TCEQ's Drive a Clean Machine program funds available

Officials of the statewide Drive a Clean Machine program recently announced that after three months of operation, the statewide program still has $29 million available for vouchers that can be used to replace with newer vehicles the one ones that pollute the air. The announcement regarding available funds followed reports from North Central Texas that the program there administered by the North Central Texas Council of Governments was running out of funds. A spokesman for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) denied the program is running short of money.

The Drive a Clean Machine program provides qualified owners of older, high-polluting vehicles with vouchers worth up to $3,500 toward the purchase of a newer, cleaner-running vehicle. The older vehicles are destroyed so they can no longer be driven. The program covers areas that have the worst air pollution - the 16 counties in the metropolitan areas of Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and Austin.

"Program administrators have handled tens of thousands of telephone calls since the official program kick-off in January," said Bobby Wierzowiecki, who administers the program for TCEQ. "Thousands of vouchers have been issued, resulting in removing thousands of the dirtiest, most-polluting cars from Texas roads. There is still money available for people to take advantage of the program." For more information on the program, click here.

More construction dollars could flow from TxDOT

Following urging by lawmakers, officials of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) may soon change their tune about pouring a majority of its dollars into maintenance rather than construction. Although officials with the agency note that maintenance needs are increasing, new construction needs can't be ignored.

A staff proposal is expected to be voted on next week that would - instead of allocating $17 billion for maintenance costs as TxDOT originally proposed - shift $5 billion for new construction and leave $12 billion for repairs and maintenance.

Legislators previously told TxDOT officials they would increase funding for the agency to cover debt service from additional borrowing.

HHSC awards grants to develop health-care programs

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission has awarded $1 million to two coalitions to develop healthcare programs for employees of small businesses. The grants support the development of local multi-share programs where the cost of healthcare coverage is split among the employer, the employee and another source, such as a foundation or public entity.

"We want to create a culture of insurance in our state and support innovative local programs working to reduce the number of uninsured Texans," said Texas Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Albert Hawkins (pictured).

The grants include $700,000 for the Texas Communities Healthcare Coalition to develop multi-share programs in 2008 in the Galveston and the Central Texas area, which includes Travis, Hays, Williamson, Caldwell and Burnet counties, and in 2009, the coalition will develop programs in Houston, Dallas and El Paso. It also includes $300,000 for the Brazos Valley Council of Governments to implement a multi-share program that serves Brazos, Burleson, Grimes, Leon, Madison, Robertson and Washington counties.

Emerging Tech Fund invests in obesity drug research

The Texas Emerging Technology Fund will invest $250,000 in Halsa Pharmaceuticals, Inc. of Houston for the development and pilot manufacturing of a therapeutic drug treatment for obesity. Up to $1 million total investment may be available to the company if it meets certain performance benchmarks.

"In our preliminary work, the candidate therapeutic has acted consistently in causing fat breakdown without showing adverse side effects," said Halsa CEO Phil Speros. "Preliminary results lead us to believe that a product using our technology will benefit the obese and morbidly obese without the gastrointestinal distress, blood pressure changes or mood depression encountered with existing products."

In Texas, an estimated 10.1 million, or 62 percent, of adults are overweight or obese, costing the state $10.5 billion in 2001. If current trends continue, it is estimated that 20 million, or 75 percent, of adult Texans will be overweight or obese by the year 2040, and the cost to the state could quadruple to $39 billion.

TDCJ's historic prison in Sugar Land may be shuttered

State and City of Sugar Land officials are conducting a joint study to determine whether the Texas Department of Criminal Justice should close the 325-acre, 99-year-old Central Unit in Fort Bend County and sell the land to the city. Sugar Land Mayor David Wallace (pictured) said the prison is not the highest and best use for the land, which would be put to better use to expand the Sugar Land Regional Airport. The prison houses about 975 inmates who would be moved to other facilities if the prison were closed. While inmates still tend crops within yards of its runway, Sugar Land's airport is the fourth largest in the Houston region, and more than 100 Fortune 500 companies regularly use it, according to city officials. The city also has secured a $2 million federal grant to plan for airport development.

A 2006 appraisal estimated the value of the Central Unit and buildings at $30.5 million, said Jason Clark, a spokesman for TDCJ. The land originally was purchased in 1908. During the last legislative session, lawmakers passed a measure ordering the prison system to determine if it would be feasible to close the prison and move the inmates and more than 300 employees to other prison units in the state.

State seeks bids for border 'virtual neighborhood watch'

Texas is seeking private company bids for a video camera network on the Mexican border, similar to an earlier state pilot program that allowed the public, via the Internet, to help spot illegal activity. The Governor's Division of Emergency Management calls it a "virtual border neighborhood watch" designed to help crack down on drug running, human trafficking and other crime along the state's 1,200-mile border with Mexico.

The Texas Department of Public Safety on behalf of the governor's division posted a request for private companies to submit bids March 7. Proposals are due April 7. The project involves an estimated 200 cameras. It provides for a one-year contract with three optional one-year periods.

TxDOT closing Miami facility in Amarillo District

The Amarillo District of Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) will close its Miami sub-section effective May 31 in an effort to save money and improve the efficiency of the district's operations. No TxDOT jobs will be lost, however, as the five employees assigned to the sub-section will be relocated by April 1 to the Pampa and Canadian sections.

By having the few employees at the Miami sub-section join larger work crews, TxDOT's maintenance efforts will be more proficient. TxDOT will maintain a presence at the sub-section by storing equipment materials there. Plans are in place to continue snow removal efforts and to respond to emergency situations when necessary.

Water Development Board OKs $129 million for projects

The Texas Water Development Board has approved financial assistance totaling $128,730,000 for water projects in Texas. The projects include:

• $1,610,000 for water system improvements for the Beechwood Water Supply Corporation (Sabine County);
• $1,380,000 for wastewater system improvements for the City of Arcola (Fort Bend County);
• $8,385,000 for water system improvements for the Bell County Water Control and Improvement District No. 1 ($4,000,000) (Bell County), Falls County Water Control and Improvement District No. 1 ($885,000) (Falls County) and the City of Buffalo ($3,500,000) (Leon County);
• $116,355,000 for construction of a water supply project for Central Harris County Regional Water Authority ($22,050,000) (Harris County), the City of Dallas ($23,400,000) (Dallas County), the City of Lubbock ($22,615,000) (Lubbock County), Tarrant Regional Water District ($9,890,000) (Tarrant County), for water project development costs for the Upper Trinity Regional Water District ($10,400,000) (Denton County) and the Coastal Water Authority ($28,000,000) (Harris County); and
• $1,000,000 for water system improvements for the Fort Bend County Fresh Water Supply District No. 1 ($600,000) (Fort Bend County) and the City of Arcola ($400,000) (Fort Bend County).

TxDOT reports I-69/TTC comment period extended

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has announced that its request for a 30-day extension of the public comment period for the Interstate-69/Trans-Texas Corridor Tier One Draft Environmental Impact Statement has been granted. The Federal Highway Administration has extended the period to April 18.

TxDOT Executive Director Amadeo Saenz (pictured) noted that TxDOT has held more than 500 meetings on the TTC including 254 county meetings, 95 environmental meetings and hearings on I-69/TTC, 171 environmental meetings and hearings on TTC-35 and 12 town hall meetings.

Although no additional public hearings are scheduled for I-69/TTC, interested Texans can submit comments online at keeptexasmoving.com or mail them to I-69/TTC, P.O. Box 14428, Austin, TX 78761.

TDI advises drivers' liability insurance limits to rise

Drivers who carry the minimum amount of mandatory liability insurance in Texas will see their bill go up on April 1, according to officials with the Texas Department of Insurance. Minimum liability coverage is scheduled to increase on that date, reflecting the higher price of vehicles and increased medical costs.

The Texas Department of Insurance estimates that the new requirements will increase the liability costs of auto policies by 4 percent to 6 percent, adding $15 to $22 to the annual cost of an average Texas policy. The new limits will be $25,000 of coverage for each injured person, up to a total of $50,000 per accident and $25,000 for property damage. The current legal minimum is $20,000/$40,000/$15,000.

A program to allow police to verify coverage status when they stop a motorist, scheduled to be operational in January, is now expected to launch in late spring or early summer. The system will be tested initially in Travis County.

UT's Yudof accepts presidency at UC system

Mark Yudof (pictured), the legal scholar who has led the University of Texas System for nearly six years, has accepted the job as president of the University of California System. The UC regents' committee recommended Yudof for the job of overseeing the 10-campus system, which is considered the nation's best collection of public research institutions.

Yudof, a lawyer, has been chancellor of the University of Texas System since August 2002. Before that, he was president of the four-campus University of Minnesota system and had a long history of administration and teaching in the Texas system. The UT System serves 194,000 students with a $10 billion annual budget, while UC enrolls more than 220,000 students and operates with an annual budget of $18 billion.

The 63-year-old Yudof will replace Robert Dynes, who will retire in June. UT System officials note they will conduct a nationwide search for Yudof's replacement.

TxDOT could merge Dallas-Fort Worth highway districts

A proposal to merge the Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) Fort Worth and Dallas district offices to improve regional traffic planning is gaining traction among lawmakers. Some say such a move would give the Metroplex greater influence in statewide transportation matters.

Amadeo Saenz Jr., TxDOT's executive director, said he is receptive to combining the districts and said he is already looking at ways to "regionalize" decision-making in the department's 25 districts statewide to save time and money.

Currently, the Fort Worth district covers nine counties - including Tarrant, Johnson, Hood, Palo Pinto, Parker and Wise. Dallas' district covers seven counties, including Denton, Dallas and Collin. The plan would put the area's 11 or 12 most populated and congested counties in a single Dallas-Fort Worth district, and move the other counties into other districts.

Beaumont, Dallas take second look at red-light cameras

Safety and financial concerns have caused two Texas cities, Beaumont and Dallas, to take a closer look at their use of red-light cameras.

After citizens raised concerns, the Beaumont City Council recently tabled a vote to install red-light cameras until further study. Mayor Becky Ames (pictured) urged the delay because of safety concerns raised by citizens while Councilman Audwin Samuel said he is concerned the cameras will not raise the revenue promised and cost the city revenue. Earlier, the council awarded a $578,550 contract to install 10 cameras at intersections with a high frequency of accidents. The cost was about $4,821 per month per camera and no tickets were issued, he noted.

In Dallas, the 60 red-light cameras have worked so well, the program is costing the city money. Because of greater driver awareness, the revenue generated from violators has fallen by 50 percent in some locations and the city is considering taking some cameras offline on a rotating basis. When in use, it costs nearly $3,800 a month to maintain each camera. Council members are also considering scaling back on installing 40 more of the red-light cameras.

UT System's proposed tuition increases to vary by major

The University of Texas System is proposing tuition hikes that would have students paying more than the 5 percent increase cap officials set last year. While averages across all majors at a campus cannot exceed 5 percent, increases for individual programs could be much higher.

For example, UT-Austin, the system's flagship campus, proposed raising tuition and fees for architecture students by 7.5 percent next year while engineering students would see a more modest 4 percent increase. The UT system Board of Regents is expected to consider the tuition changes for the next two school years next week.

Texas A&M System regents approve tuition hikes

One day after The University of Texas System announced tuition rate hikes, the Texas A&M University System did the same, approving increases of from 4-14 percent among its nine System schools. The goal, according to System officials, was to keep the increases below 5 percent, but there were two schools that did not meet that goal. TAMU-Kingsville raised its rates by 11 percent and TAMU-Texarkana increased its rates by 14 percent. The System's flagship campus at College Station will increase tuition by 4.99. The increases are effective next fall.

SFA receives grant to address nursing shortage

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board recently awarded a $265,970 grant to Stephen F. Austin State University's School of Nursing to address the growing shortage of nurses in Texas.

The funding will be used to maximize student enrollment and graduation rates in programs for registered nurses. Almost three of every 10 students who register in a nursing program do not complete it, said Dr. Glenda Walker, director of the School of Nursing at SFA. The grant will provide students with Web-based modules that address common struggles that confront nursing students, including family issues, time management, stress and conflict management.

Texas expects to have a shortage of 27,000 registered nurses by 2010, said Bryant Krenek, of the Memorial Heal Systems of East Texas, one of four contributing hospitals in the project. These hospitals will work to place students in financial need in work-study programs, tuition pay plans and scholarship programs.

Plans unveiled for Midland's Centennial Park upgrades

The Midland City Council recently got its first look at an architect's plan to transform Centennial Plaza, located between the county courthouse and Midland Center, into a $2.8 million urbanized park. Centennial Plaza, built in 1985, is currently an event-oriented park with a tiered amphitheater that provides little connection with surrounding downtown areas.

Plans call for water features to be enhanced or added elsewhere in the park, a small stage to be built and grass planted in other areas. The plan also featured a series of illuminated aluminum arches for pedestrians to walk through. Some trees and a water feature would be removed to provide better connection to other downtown areas.

Mayor Wes Perry (pictured), however, said before the park improvements are made, council must secure funding for the project. Assistant City Manager Marcus Johnston said $250,000 in federal funds is available for the project and will mostly likely look to the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone board to secure more funding. The TIRZ board oversees taxes generated from downtown property taxes and reinvests it back into the downtown area.

Sports groups looking at Pearland for national events

Three national sports organizations have offered to sponsor costs for a proposed new sports complex in Pearland with the hope of speeding up construction as early as 2009. Construction was originally planned for 2011 or 2012.

Jon Branson, director of Pearland Parks and Recreation, said these sponsorships along with the city's $8 million bond program and contributions from the consulting firm it hired to start the funding process could fund an estimated $17 million for building the proposed Shadow Creek Ranch sports complex. Three national organizations governing baseball, softball and volleyball have guaranteed events to create revenue so the city could secure sponsorship commitments, he said.

Plans for the sports complex include a major indoor facility that could host competitive volleyball, basketball and indoor soccer games and 12 outdoor fields - five softball, five baseball and two fields used for either sport, all with artificial turf. The Pearland City Council is expected to consider the new proposal in April.

Committee to seek candidates for Texas Tech president

Texas Tech University has established a Search Committee and a 21-member Advisory Council to search for a new president for the university. Jon Whitmore resigned as the 14th president of Texas Tech University on Feb. 1

"We have an outstanding group of individuals who have agreed to serve and I look forward to working with each and every one of them," said Regent Bob Stafford (pictured).

The committee will help identify potential candidates, assist with initial screenings of candidates and ensure that their respective constituency groups are kept up-to-date on the progress of the search. Candidate recommendations will be forwarded on to the chancellor. The final selection will be made by the chancellor, who will seek confirmation of his choice by the Board of Regents.

Guadalupe County justice center renovations cited

Guadalupe County Commissioners recently unveiled their plan to renovate the county's criminal justice center, build an underground port for transporting prisoners more safely and add a new three-level parking garage near the Guadalupe County Courthouse.

In the presentation to the Seguin Historic Design and Review Committee, Guadalupe County Judge Mike Wiggins (pictured) said the Texas Commission on Jail Standards considers the courthouse to be inadequate, unsafe and a security breach issue, saying the renovations would provide the county with better security and badly needed space.

Because the Texas Historical Commission will not allow any alterations to the outside of the courthouse, he said, the architects designed the underground sally port on the Donegan Street side of the courthouse where trucks could deliver inmates to the courthouse through an underground tunnel to await court appearances. The justice center also would have an underground sally port. The county administration building also would be renovated to house the county auditor, the tax office and other departments. Once the renovations are made, the public will enter the courthouse from Court Street rather than Donegan Street, he said.

Texas AgriLife establishes 14 bioenergy projects

Texas AgriLife Research has established 14 bioenergy projects funded by $4 million from the Texas Legislature. Agency Director Dr. Mark Hussey (pictured) said the research involves extensive plant science activities, investigating potential harvest and transportation methods for bioenergy production and comprehensive economic analysis.

"These activities focus not just on developing feed stocks for bioenergy use, but innovation in the harvest, transportation and environmental aspects of alternative energy. We hope many of these activities can be applied not just here in the Lone Star state, but across the U.S," Hussey said. Sorghum, sugarcane and high oil-content peanuts are crops that will be included in the bioenergy research program.

Four Texas cities among fastest growing in U.S.

Four Texas metro areas - Dallas-Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin and Houston - are among the cities with the biggest population gains in 2006 and 2007. The Census Bureau reports that Americans are continuing a trend of moving to the Sun Belt.

Dallas-Fort Worth added more than 162,000 residents between July 2006 and July 2007, more than any other metro area. Houston, Austin and San Antonio were also in the top 10. Atlanta saw the second-largest population jump with just over 151,000 new residents. Phoenix was third with more than 132,000, and was followed by Houston, Riverside, Calif., Charlotte, N.C., Chicago, Austin, Las Vegas and San Antonio.

On a percentage basis, the Palm Coast, Fla., area was the fastest-growing in the nation. Population there jumped by 7.2 percent to more than 536,000. The next areas experiencing the biggest surge in growth were St. George, Utah; Raleigh, N.C; Gainesville, Ga.; and Austin.

UT Tyler appoints Fos provost, vice president

The University of Texas at Tyler has named Peter J. Fos (pictured) the next provost and vice president of academic affairs, according to President Rodney H. Mabry. Fos succeeds Dr. Richard Osburn, who has announced his retirement effective in May.

Fos comes to UT-Tyler after serving four years as the dean of the University of Southern Mississippi College of Health, which enrolls 3,000 students and employs 335 faculty and staff. Fos also was a tenured professor in the Department of Community Health Sciences.

New UT System Web site outlines tuition, fees

The University of Texas System has launched a revamped Web site aimed at helping inform students, parents and others about accessing and paying for college. The updated site also includes campus proposals for tuition and fees at UT System institutions planned for the next two academic years.

The expanded Web site (www.utsystem.edu/affordability) contains information and resource links on financial aid, how tuition is used, campus cost-saving initiatives and how to pay for college, among other things. The user-friendly site also includes profiles of current students at each of the UT System's nine academic campuses who overcame challenges associated with financing their college educations.

Midland approves funds for planetarium renovations

To prepare for $2.7 million in renovations to the Marian Blakemore Planetarium, the Midland City Council recently approved another $40,000 for roof repairs to the city-owned building. The city previously approved $125,000 toward the renovation.

Work is scheduled to begin soon with the city-owned facility to be gutted and asbestos removed, said Tom Jones, director of the Museum of the Southwest which oversees the planetarium, children's museum and art gallery. Plans call for the building to have tiered, theater-style seating, a projector that will project 360 degrees and a ceiling that will tilt about 20 degrees for viewing ease. The renovations also include a new science education classroom that will seat about 100 students and feature technology that Jones hopes will be compatible to the technology used at McDonald Observatory near Fort Davis.

To pay for the renovations, the planetarium received $1.2 million from state funds and collected another $1.2 million from foundations and private donors in addition to the funding provided by the City of Midland. The planetarium is scheduled to reopen in 2010.

Graves dean of UNT College of Business Administration

Dr. O. Finley Graves (pictured) has been named dean of the University of North Texas' College of Business Administration, effective April 1. Graves, who has served as interim dean since August, will be responsible for the college's academic, fiscal and personnel matters and will represent the college to external constituencies.

Prior to joining UNT, Graves held positions at Kansas State University, the University of Mississippi, the University of Newcastle in Australia and the University of Alabama. He earned a Ph.D. and a master's degree at the University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa, a Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a master's from Rice University and a bachelor's degree from the University of Mississippi.

Lewis tabbed as UT-Arlington vice president

University of Texas at Arlington President James D. Spaniolo has announced the appointment of James C. Lewis (pictured) as vice president for development. Lewis has 25 years of experience as a development professional in higher education, and for the last 13 years has been vice president for institutional advancement at Austin College in Sherman.

"I am excited about joining the development team at UT Arlington," said Lewis. "I would only have left my position at Austin College for an institution that is on the ascent and where I believe I can add significant value." Lewis is a native of Texas. He earned his M.B.A. from Southern Methodist University. He also holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Texas A&M University-Commerce.

Committee to hold hearing on wind energy in Amarillo

The Texas House Committee on Regulated Industries will explore the future of wind energy in Texas at a public hearing in Amarillo in April. Rep. David Swinford of Dumas said that he expects representatives from 60 counties and 76 cities to attend the conference and present a resolution to the Public Utility Commission supporting wind farms and asking help in building transmission lines to areas developing wind farms.

Encouraging more development of wind energy will bring billions of dollars in investment to West Texas and other areas of the state suitable for wind farms as well as create jobs in those areas, according to lawmakers. Developing wind farms also will help Texas meet its energy needs at a time when oil and gas are more expensive and demand for electricity grows. As many as 7,000 windmills could be built in the Panhandle that could provide power to about 1.7 million homes. Landowners also could earn significant income by renting property to windmill farms.

Dallas ISD details proposed $1.3B bond package

Specifics of the Dallas Independent School District's proposed $1.3 billion bond package were made available online last week as both the district and a pro-bond campaign group began to spell out how individual schools would fare if voters approve the measure in May.

The bond would provide money for 15 new schools, including eight elementary schools, four middle schools and three high schools. Twelve existing schools would receive additions to provide 177 new classrooms. The district would spend $521 million on renovations to more than 200 schools.

Trustee Carla Ranger (pictured) said she believes that people want improvements for the schools, but they also want to be able to trust the district. The pro-bond campaign, called Our Students Our Future, sent a brochure to 62,000 area voters promising that a "yes" vote will provide funds to "every campus" and "every school" in the district. Dallas voters have historically approved bond measures. No organized opposition has emerged to the 2008 bond plan.

Houston building free Internet links in low-income areas

The City of Houston will build wireless Internet "bubbles" in 10 low-income areas to provide Internet access to residents who otherwise would do without. Mayor Bill White said the city plans to use about $3.6 million of the $5 million paid to the city after an Internet service provider defaulted on a contract to build a citywide wireless network last year to pay for the new wireless Internet connections.

The first bubble is in the Gulfton area of southwest Houston and a committee is being formed to determine where future networks will be located, White said. Over the long term, White said he hopes that areas between the bubbles can eventually be included to provide Internet access across the city.

Border fence suit against UT-Brownsville dropped

Just hours before a hearing, the U.S. government ended its border fence condemnation lawsuit against the University of Texas-Brownsville and Texas Southmost College. U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen, in the dismissal order, noted both sides agreed to explore alternatives to a fence.

Dr. Juliet Garcia (pictured), president of UT-Brownsville, said she is confident that university and federal officials can devise a plan that will increase border protection while protecting the integrity of the university. The agreement, however, contains no guarantee that the university's remaining 160 acres and golf course may not some day be on the Mexican side of a 15-foot fence, officials said. The U.S. government has sued more than 50 South Texas landowners this year for temporary access to survey for the border fence.

Under the agreement, the government won access to the campus for six months. The university gets a promise from the government to explore alternatives "to a physical barrier" with the university. Judge Hanen also said he hoped the agreement could be a model for other property owners, specifically the Rio Grande City Consolidated Independent School District, which shared similar concerns.

Wise County voters facing tax for college campus

Wise County voters in November will cast their ballots on whether to levy a maintenance tax to fund the construction and operation of a new Weatherford College branch campus in Wise County.

Joe Birmingham (pictured), president of Weatherford College, said the tax is necessary to fund the proposed junior college as tuition and state funds are not sufficient to fund the school. The tax may be lowered after improvements are paid for, he said, but some tax revenue will be needed to pay for continued operation and maintenance.

Wise County Commissioners also appointed County Judge Bill McElhaney and Precinct 2 Commissioner Kevin Burns to serve on a site study committee and authorized spending up to $5,000 as an option payment for land. The site study committee will be looking for approximately 50 acres of land located off U.S. 38. An early estimated cost for the proposed junior college is $25 million. The junior college and site will be owned by Wise County.

Dickinson seeks construction manager for city hall

Dickinson city officials recently issued a request for construction manager at-risk companies to bid on the city's new $6.3 million city hall and library complex. City Administrator Julie Johnson (pictured) said she is hopeful the city council will award the bid for the project during its meeting April 8.

Work on the one-story, 22,754-square-foot City Hall and a separate 12,299-square-foot public library could start this summer if the bid is awarded on schedule, she said. The request for bids specifies that the project must be completed in May 2009. In October, a bid for the new construction came in at nearly double its budget. To lower costs, city officials removed amenities such as arched windows, wood paneling and granite countertops, Johnson said.

Council members last May approved issuing $6.5 million in certificates of obligation to pay for the project, of which $4.5 million was designated for the new construction. City officials also approved an agreement with the Galveston County Water Control and Improvement District No. 1 that will contribute $1.76 million over 20 years to lease 5,621 square feet of space in City Hall for 67 years.

Small and minority-owned firms should not overlook this opportunity!

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

Contracting opportunities in the state government marketplace in Texas are both abundant and diverse. It's hard to think of something that state agencies do not purchase. And, while competition is keen, there are significant provisions made to assist small and minority firms. In fact, contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars flow each year to small firms because of quotas that governmental agencies attempt to meet.

One particular vendor group - minority and woman-owned businesses in Texas certified as Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUBs) - captured more than $1.8 billion in contracts awarded by the state in 2007. Another $785 million went to HUB companies through subcontracts.

HUB businesses are those that are at least 51 percent owned by an Asian Pacific American, African American, Hispanic American, Native American and/or an American woman who resides in Texas. The state does regulate this program and will disqualify a HUB firm if the 51 percent owner does not demonstrate active participation in the control, operations and management of the entity's affairs.

Texas A&M International receives 'green' grant

Texas A&M International University recently received a $500,000 federal grant for the school's Energy Efficient Green Campus Research Initiative. The grant will enhance current environmental projects as well as research and develop future initiatives that will help the university become more energy efficient and environmentally friendly, said Ray Keck III (pictured), TAMIU president.

The funds will also provide for the use and evaluation of solar energy for exterior illumination and hot water, develop a green-campus program for the entire 300-acre campus, re-commission existing structures to reduce energy costs and enhance the student-learning environment, said Joe Garcia, vice president for finance and administration.

Big Spring approves study
to increase accessibility

Big Spring City Council members recently approved a contract with an engineering firm to study public buildings to make them more accessible for residents with disabilities. The vote followed several citizens who said the Municipal Auditorium currently is not accessible to people in wheelchairs.

Council members also agreed to make all public facilities compliant with the American with Disabilities Act. Mayor Russ McEwen said the city's goal is not just to comply with the law, but to go a step further and make public facilities accessible to those with any kind of disability.

Henderson adopts new master plan for parks

The Henderson City Council recently adopted a new master plan for parks and approved a professional services contract for work on a new civic center. An updated master plan for parks was necessary, said City Secretary Kelly Poovey, for the city to be eligible for most state grant funds. The previous park plan was dated 1978 and had not been updated since that time.

Council members also approved the payment schedule for the Tyler firm which has coordinated grant-funding efforts for the new civic center scheduled to begin construction this year.

Elsa interim city manager Ortiz offers resignation

Juan Ortiz, the interim city manager of Elsa, recently told city officials that he is resigning from that post. Ortiz was hired as the interim city manager in December 2007, making him the fourth person to serve on a temporary basis at city manager since June 2006.

Mayor Senovio Castillo said the city charter prevents the council to hire anyone within 50 days before an election, thus the city will not be able to fill the vacancy until after May 6.

Palacios ISD names Adams as its new superintendent

Trustees for the Palacios Independent School District have named Vicki Adams (pictured) to be the district's new superintendent effective on April 1. District officials limited the search to candidates already employed by the district and narrowed it to three district employees. The board named Adams as the lone finalist for the position on Feb. 6.

Adams, currently the district's director of personnel and federal programs, will fill the vacancy left when current Superintendent Paul Smith resigned. She has 24 years experience as an editor and administrator.

Southlake moves forward with red-light camera plans

Southlake City Council moved one step forward with plans to install red-light cameras by recently approving an amendment to its contract with the Texas Department of Transportation municipal maintenance agreement to allow for red-light cameras.

The agreement calls for the furnishing, installation, operation and maintenance of the cameras on state highway rights-of-ways, specifically the intersections at Gateway Drive at Texas 114 and Pearson Lane at Southlake Boulevard, said Assistant City Manager Jim Blagg. City staff and representatives of the company operating the cameras are exploring other possible locations for the red-light cameras.

Denton dedicates new
$1.36 million airport building

Officials of the Denton City Council and Denton Municipal Airport recently dedicated the airport's new $1.36 million terminal building. The 4,600-square-foot facility houses a public conference room, a large lobby, a flight planning area and administration offices for airport officials. The new terminal was partially funded with a grant from the Texas Department of Transportation.

Denton Airport has approximately 240 based aircraft and more than 100,000 airport operations a year, with both corporate jet and air cargo activity.

Longview ISD to open for new technical academy

Organizers of a technical academy within Longview High School are looking for 100 aspiring engineers to enroll in the new Longview Global High School slated to open this fall. Created as a T-STEM (Texas Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics academy), the Global High School is funded by a $400,000 state grant. It is designed to improve academic performances in science and math by integrating technology across all curriculum. Everett Brunson, headmaster of the new global high school, said students will take an introduction to engineering as one of their two electives and have the opportunity to earn up to 60 hours of college credit.

Enrollment in the free program is open to all incoming freshmen, in or out of Longview ISD, but will be chosen for admission through a lottery, he added. Transportation will not be offered beyond school district boundaries. The program will be added to upper grades as the freshman class is promoted and eventually will include 400 students.

Simpson resigns as Mexia ISD superintendent

The Mexia Independent School District has accepted the resignation of Superintendent Charlene Simpson (pictured). Simpson said she had been thinking about resigning before a local newspaper reported on the matter. Simpson has not publicly announced her plans, but news reports say she might be going to the Region 12 Education Service Center.

After accepting the resignation, Mexia trustees discussed the criteria and processes for identifying, evaluating, interviewing and hiring a new superintendent. The board also discussed the process of selecting an interim superintendent, but made no appointments. Simpson will remain through the current school year.

Madisonville names finalist for city manager position

The City of Madisonville's vacant city manager position may soon be filled. The City Council voted last week to name David Jacobs its top choice among three finalists. Jacobs is the current water utilities project manager for the city of Garland.

Madisonville Mayor Sonny Dean said the city has begun negotiations with Jacobs about the position. Madisonville hasn't had a permanent city manager for more than a year after Tom Ginter resigned in January 2007, and interim Dave Ward resigned earlier this month.

Port Neches to upgrade law enforcement technology

The Port Neches Police Department has adopted laptop computers and other high-tech equipment as its newest crime-fighting tools. The Port Neches City Council has approved the purchase of broadband cars, mobile video systems, updated radios and night vision equipment. The equipment will be purchased with funds from a 2006 Port Security Grant.

Nederland Police Department detective Nicky Matt said all Mid-County police agencies are involved in a grant process to purchase equipment such as laptops that would run off air cards in police cars. The laptops will help cut down on time officers spend writing reports and doing warrant checks. It also gives the officer on the street access to files from other law enforcement agencies, said Capt. Paul Lemoine.

Cedar Park, Leander to join interlocal radio system

Communication for emergency personnel in Cedar Park, Leander and the rest of Williamson County could become more efficient in the coming weeks with the establishment of the Williamson County Radio Communications System. The system will replace the County Wide Integrated Communication System, or CWICS, currently in place. CWICS is a communication system used by Cedar Park, Hutto, Round Rock, Georgetown and Williamson County for emergency communication.

With the CWICS system, each city splits the ownership responsibilities, but with the new system, Williamson County will own the radio infrastructure. The same radio system that is used under CWICS will be used with the new system, with the only change being that the county will own the infrastructure. Other cities such as Round Rock and Hutto are expected to join the system soon.

Midland Development Corp. may oversee project

The Midland City Council voted recently to allow the Midland Development Corp. to select a consultant for an estimated $20 million airport improvement and expansion project. The MDC proposal includes renovating an existing hangar and building two new hangars. The consultant would help design and verify costs associated with the hangar project.

Although the city's airport board already had the project on its list of future projects, council members agreed to allow MDC to oversee it because of its possible economic development aspect. Under the plan, the hangars would be leased to an aerospace company if a CDC is successful in its current efforts to get the company to locate in Midland. MDC would finance the project with $5 million already on hand and finance the remaining cost, said MDC Chairman Doug Henson (pictured).

U.S. Customs, Border Protection break ground

Officials of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the City of McAllen recently broke ground for a new $20 million, 82,000 square foot facility in southwest McAllen.

The building will house 350 agents and be comprised of two buildings that have a 54,500-square-foot administrative area, a 12,000-square-foot detention area and a 15,500-square-foot maintenance area. The facility will be a base for agents and be used for processing undocumented immigrants. The facility is expected to be finished in December.

San Antonio drivers could face cell phone bans near schools

Like a number of other cities in Texas, San Antonio is considering banning the use of cell phones in local school zones. The San Antonio City Council is expected to vote on a proposal next month.

Other cities in the state already have banned the use of cell phones, while allowing hands-free devices and headsets. However, West University Place near Houston banned all cell phone usage in school zones, including headsets and hands-free units.

Express, Round Rock discuss jointly developing center

The City of Round Rock and the owners of the Round Rock Express baseball team are discussing a partnership to develop a 60,000-square-foot events center next to Dell Diamond baseball park. The $20 million project would be built by the family of baseball legend Nolan Ryan, owners of the team, and used for activities such as sporting events, concerts, conferences and conventions.

Reese Ryan (pictured), son of Nolan and chief financial officer for the Express, said the goal is for the center to be completed in 18 months. The City of Round Rock currently uses a 10,000-square-foot convention center attached to the ball park. The events center is part of a three-year plan to spur tourism. Terms for the center are being negotiated.

Former TSU president avoids prison with plea deal

A plea deal will allow former Texas Southern University President Priscilla Slade (pictured) to avoid prison time in exchange in exchange for paying back $127,672 of the $500,000 in school money she was charged with mishandling. Slade was accused of improper personal expenses ranging from bar tabs to furniture. Her first trial ended last year in a mistrial.

In addition to repaying the money, Slade will also received 10 years of deferred adjudication in exchange for the "no contest" plea. That means the finding of guilt will not be on her record if she completes probation. If she violates probation, the conviction would be put on her record and she could be sentenced to up to life in prison. She must also perform 400 hours of community service.

Recent Reports

• HHSC presentation before Senate State Affairs Committee, March 26
• DADS presentation before Senate Health and Human Services Committee, March 26
• An Audit Report on Agencies' and Higher Education Institutions' Background Check Procedures
• TCEQ's Environmental News You Can Use, March 2008
• TxDOT HORIZON newsletter, Winter 2008
• SPI's May 2008 Municipal Bond Elections Report
• SPI's Defense Appropriations Bill Earmarks Report
• SPI's November 2007 Bond Election Results Report

Event Links

• TCEQ's 2008 Environmental Trade Fair and Conference
• Texas Public Education Reform Foundation 2008 Statewide Education Summit
• Texas Citizen Corps Conference
• Congress of the New Urbanism National Conference
• DFW NIGP Lone Star Regional Purchasing Conference
• Texas State University Small Business Development Center training schedule
• TWC Texas Business Conferences
• LBJ School Professional Development Calendar
• Upcoming Executive Women in Texas Government events

Plano could face future
$100 million shortfall

City officials in Plano say they are facing their worst fiscal crisis since post 9/11, brought on by a stagnant housing market, falling sales tax revenues and other factors. Budget projections released this week show the city faces a $17 million budget gap next year and an estimated $100 million shortfall over the next three years.

Plano Mayor Pat Evans (pictured) said there is no way the city can avoid the downturn, adding that many other cities are in the same situation. Budget director Karen Rhodes said Plano's total assessed property value is not expected to grow this year. Sales tax revenues have declined in three of the last five months, while city fuel costs have increased by 50 percent since August.

The shortfall has forced a freeze on hiring and raises the possibility of service cuts and property tax or fee increases. Plano officials also might delay a number of improvement projects that range from repairs to roads and screening walls to new playground equipment at city parks.

Governor's appointments

Governor Rick Perry has made the following appointments:

• John Paulo Flores of Dallas, presiding officer, Texas Residential Construction Commission
• Steven R. Leipsner of Austin, Texas Residential Construction Commission
• Harold Hahn of El Paso, chair of the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority
• Pablo Schneider of Richardson, Manufactured Housing Board
• Stacee P. Bell of Horseshoe Bay, Communities in School Advisory Committee
• Catherine Estrada of Fort Worth, Communities in School Advisory Committee
• Oscar H. Fogle of Lockhart, Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority Board of Directors

Extra red-light cameras in Houston apparently working

As extra red-light cameras went up, Houston police noted that violations decreased from 27,000 in October to 17,000 in February.

Mayor Bill White (pictured) said the rapid decline at the 70 camera locations is a sign that motorists are more aware of the cameras and are less likely to run a red light.

To increase traffic enforcement, Houston police six months ago added 20 more red-light cameras and began filming drivers making illegal turns. Since the cameras were turned on in September 2006, they have caught more than 230,000 violators and brought in more than $11.5 million in revenue. The city spent $4 million, including $2.7 million to its vendor, and sent another $2.1 million to the state, leaving a profit of about $5.4 million.

El Paso to begin design for new $2.8 million library

Now that the El Paso City Council has chosen a site for the new $2.8 million Cielo Vista Branch Library, the design phase is expected to begin very soon.

The proposed library is expected to measure about 7,000 to 8,000 square feet and include a dedicated children's area, a multipurpose room and wireless Internet access, said Carol Brey-Casiano, director of the El Paso Public Library.

Yacaman joins UTSA staff
as department chair

A world-renowned authority in nanotechnology has joined the staff of The University of Texas at San Antonio. Migues Jose Yacaman (pictured) will chair the Department of Physics and Astronomy in the College of Sciences. He comes to UTSA after a seven-year stint at The University of Texas at Austin.

UTSA Provost John Frederick said that Yacaman's leadership will move UTSA "one step closer to reaching our goal of becoming a Top 100 premier research university." Before serving at UT-Austin, Yacaman directed the National Institute of Nuclear Research and was deputy director for scientific research at Mexico's National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT). He has also served as a consultant. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees and a Ph.D. from the National University of Mexico.

Lubbock council gives nod
to new visitor center

The Lubbock City Council on Thursday approved an engineering contract for a new $6.7 million visitors center in the city's Depot District. The project will be paid for through bonds and repaid with taxes collected from the hotel-motel tax collected to promote tourism.

Despite some opposition from groups that supported spending the motel tax funds for streets, parks or to refurbish the city's civic center, Rob Meyer, president of the Lubbock Hotel/Motel Association, said the center had the support of state tourism officials, local hotel and motel operators, the Lubbock Economic Development Association and the Downtown Redevelopment Commission. Visitors to Lubbock need a single location for guests to the city to learn more about its attractions, Meyer said.

Tyler ISD to discuss planned Phase 2 bond election

Trustees for the Tyler Independent School District will hold a study session to discuss the scope and capacity of a planned Phase 2 bond issue. Superintendent Dr. Randy Reid (pictured) told board members the discussions are necessary for the staff to get some direction from the board.

Preliminary information indicates that the original cost estimate of projects in Phase 2 of the district's facilities master plan developed four years ago has increased significantly because of rapidly rising construction costs and inflation, Dr. Reid said. Thus, he added, the funding estimates in the facility master plan will not now pay for all the projects included in the plan. Community input is necessary so district staff can proceed with plans for a November bond election, Reid said. Phase 2 of the facilities plan addresses needs at 10 elementary schools in the district.

Central Texas College kicks off $20 million in projects

Central Texas College officials recently kicked off a $20 million construction program to accommodate a new education program, upgrade the campus water supply and improve its nursing and homeland security management programs. Construction began six weeks ago on a new piping system and water tower to improve water flow on the college's main campus, said Jimmy Towers, a board member. Still awaiting approval of architectural plans are a new nursing building and student union building at the main campus in Killeen and a new education center for personnel at Fort Hood, Towers said.

The college's new teaching program will begin in fall 2008 Towers said, and the nursing and education center will be the next to break ground. The campus improvements are necessary, Towers said, to meet the rising demand for trained professionals such as nurses, teachers and managers of homeland security programs. He attributes the school's ability to continue its growth to revenue from its successful Internet courses taken by more than 80,000 students worldwide, especially military personnel assigned overseas.

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of SPI weekly newsletter

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Publisher: Mary Scott Nabers

The Insider is published by Strategic Partnerships, Inc. (SPI), a research and consulting firm. Founded in Texas in 1994 by former government executives and public sector experts, SPI has developed a national reputation as the premier marketing partner dedicated to helping companies secure contracts in the $1.5 trillion state and local government marketplace.

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UT, UT System host 15th Annual HUB Vendor Fair

The University of Texas at Austin and The University of Texas System will host the 15th Annual Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Vendor Fair on Wednesday, May 7, at the Frank Erwin Special Events Center. HUBs and small businesses can display their products and distribute information about their services to university procurement personnel and procurement professionals from other state agencies and private institutions. The event is free and open to the public. Door prizes will be awarded throughout the day. Business owners who want to participate in the event, click here. For more information, contact Annette Smith at 512-471-2850 or asmith@austin.utexas.edu or Tiffany Dockery at 512-471-2863 or tiffany.dockery@austin.utexas.edu.

TCEQ announces Environmental Trade Fair, Conference

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) will host its 2008 Environmental Trade Fair and Conference on Tuesday through Thursday, April 29-May 1, at the Austin Convention Center. Considered one of the best environmental education forums in the country, the conference features 13 educational tracks, 400 exhibits and continuing education credits. The opening day of the conference will feature an informal lunch with the TCEQ commissioners. Tracks will include topics such as air quality, waste management, wastewater permitting, pollution prevention, compliance assistance and enforcement and more. For more information and to view the conference agenda and brochure, click here. To register, click here.

TPERF announces 2008 Statewide Education Summit

The state's largest one-day education conference that brings together the entire school community, policymakers and business leaders to discuss how Texas' public education system should be reformed and improved will be held Friday, April 18, at the Austin Convention center when the Texas Public Education Reform Foundation meets for its 2008 Statewide Education Summit. Among the speakers for the event are: U.S. Sen. John Cornyn; former U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige; James H. Billington, Librarian of Congress; Robert Scott, Texas Commissioner of Education; and Raymund Paredes, Texas Commissioner of Higher Education. For more information, click here, and to view the summit brochure, click here. To register, click here.

Texas Citizen Corps Conference slated June 3-4

The fourth annual Texas Citizen Corps Conference, sponsored by the Texas Association of Regional Councils, will be June 3-4 in San Antonio at the Sheraton Gunter Hotel. The conference is open to anyone interested in the Citizen Corps program, including regional councils of governments, local, state, and federal agencies, volunteers, emergency management professionals, first responder and other interested parties. Local elected officials and management level decision-makers will also be in attendance. Sessions will include training, strategic policy discussions, briefings from leaders in the Citizen Corps programs from across the nation, networking and best practices events and an exhibit hall. To register, or for more information, click here.

TASSCC technology education conference slated April 30

The Texas Association of State Systems for Computing and Communications (TASSCC) and the Department of Information Resources (DIR) will host the annual Technology Education Conference (TEC) on April 30 at The Commons Center on the J.J. Pickle Research Campus in Austin. This year's conference, "Best Practice Makes Perfect - Now What?" examines best practice techniques and how they relate to information technology regarding project management, managing the mobile workforce, virtualization of information, green technology, reacting to the pandemic flu and managing the E-world of today. Sponsorships are available. For more information, contact TASSCC at info@tasscc.org or (512) 474-1827.

Austin to host Congress of New Urbanism conference

The Congress of the New Urbanism will hold its national conference this year on April 2-6 in Austin. CNU XVI will feature Pulitzer Prize winning author Robert Caro, former mayor of San Antonio and former U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Henry Cisneros and uber planner Andres Duany. More than 200 expert speakers are scheduled for presentations, debates and seminars. Organizers note that Austin has transformed itself and the surrounding Central Texas area "into a New Urban model" and the conference will focus on how the city's progressive planning can promote sustainability and quality of life for a fast-growing city. To view the program for the conference, click here. To register online, click here.

DFW NIGP hosts Lone Star Purchasing Conference

The DFW Metroplex Chapter of the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing will host the 2008 Lone Star Regional Purchasing Conference on May 5-7 at the Hilton DFW Lakes Executive Conference Center in Grapevine, Texas. This educational conference will begin on Monday, May 5, and will continue through 12 noon Wednesday, May 7. Conference attendees will receive a certificate at the end of the conference stating that they have earned 18 contact hours. For more information and to download a registration form, click here.