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House Committee Passes School Finance Plan But Major Opposition Continues to MountThe House Education Committee approved House Bill 2 this week despite opposition from every major public education group in the state, including representatives from both high-wealth and low-wealth school districts. Some business groups are also voicing objections to the legislation. Critics of the bill say that the $3 billion lawmakers want to put into schools over the next two years barely covers inflation, and does little to make up for state budget cuts made two years ago. Opponents also charge that the proposed solution does not meet a court order to increase education funding or provide the means for local school officials to meet increasing state and federal requirements. Central Texas Toll Road Project Gets $66 Million Federal LoanThe federal government is giving the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority (CTRMA) a $66 million loan to help launch the 183A Turnpike near Austin in order to relieve congestion in one of the fastest growing regions of the country. The U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) loan to the CTRMA is expected to lower overall costs and accelerate completion time of the Turnpike project. The loan will help finance design and construction of an 11.6-mile, four-lane tolled highway that will run roughly parallel to existing U.S. 183. The U.S. DOT loan was made under an innovative financing program established by the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA). The credit assistance program helps state and local governments secure transportation funding from private sources. By blending public and private funding sources, it advances large, capital-intensive transportation improvements that otherwise might be delayed or not built at all. Texas Gets $6.5 Million in Buffer Zone Protection Program GrantsThe U.S. Department of Homeland Security has announced that Texas will receive $6.5 million in grant funding to protect and secure areas surrounding critical infrastructure and key resource sites such as chemical facilities and dams. The Buffer Zone Protection Program provides targeted funding through states to local jurisdictions to purchase equipment that will extend the zone of protection beyond the gates of these critical facilities. $5.2 Million Rail Upgrade at Port of Corpus Christi PlannedGov. Rick Perry is looking to invest $5.2 million to expand rail capacity at the Port of Corpus Christi. The state's investment is expected to double the port's ability to accomodate military shipments and commercial cargo. The Department of Defense and U.S. Maritime Administration have designated the Port of Corpus Christi as a Strategic Military Deployment Seaport for the Gulf Coast. Approximately 40 percent of all military equipment moving through U.S. seaports passes through Texas. ERCOT General Counsel Submits ResignationMargaret Pemberton, general counsel for The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), the state's power grid operator, has announced she'll leave the organization in early April. She has served as general counsel since 2001 after serving as outside counsel. She is the second senior executive to leave ERCOT as it restructures after a contracting scandal and critical independent audits. ERCOT's chief financial officer left last fall. Dallas County Bioterrorism Lab Expected to Get $361,000Dallas County's Health and Human Services' Bioterrorism and Public Health Laboratory is slated to receive $361,000 in homeland security grant funds. The money would be used to reduce the time it takes for the lab to identify the presence of some bioterrorism agents. Gregg County Expected to Receive $539,000 Grant to Upgrade Voting MachinesGregg County is expected to receive a $539,000 grant to update its voting machines and has appointed a committee to evaluate new machines that must comply with new federal regulations. The county already has received $184,000. The federal grant is part of the 2002 Help America Vote Act that will enable states to follow a uniform voting standard. New and upgraded machines must be in place by January 1 and accessible to people with disabilities, including paraplegics and voters who are visually impaired. TRS Wants Legislature to Help Pay for Rising Health Care CostsThe Teacher Retirement System of Texas has told lawmakers they might have to appropriate an additional $1.8 billion in this legislative session and the next to pay for rising health care costs for retired teachers and public school employees. If legislators don't appropriate at least $233 million this session, the retirees covered by the health plan will see premium increases as high as 28 percent this fall, the TRS estimates. Rising medical costs and an increase in the number of retirees over the last few years are to blame for the shortfall. The retirement system's size and shortfalls have led some observers to wonder whether Texas will follow other states in making cuts in benefits or even revamping their pension systems. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger wants to convert the state's traditional public pensions to a system similar to 401(k) plans. State Launches New Web Sites to Help Businesses and ConsumersThe state has launched two new Web sites, one for businesses wanting to expand or move to Texas and the other for consumers needing government services. The portals were developed by the Texas Department of Information Resources and are linked directly to Texas Online, the state's official Web site. The Texas Business Portal includes:
Living in Texas features include:
DISD to Offer Early Retirement IncentiveThe Dallas school district is hoping to avoid layoffs by offering employees an incentive to retire early. School district trustees have approved an early retirement incentive that will pay qualifying employees a lump-sum payment of $10,000 to $35,000. The money saved is expected to help reduce a $28 million deficit projected in next year's budget. The district needs to eliminate about 400 positions; of those, about 250 are now filled. District officials hope 250 to 275 employees will take the early retirement so they can avoid laying off employees. UT Has Annual Economic Impact of $7.4 Billion on Texas EconomyThe University of Texas at Austin has an annual economic impact of $7.4 billion on the Texas economy, according to a new study conducted by the university's Bureau of Business Research. The findings highlight the many ways UT Austin affects the economic well-being of its neighbors, from drawing new consumers to the Central Texas region to being the region's largest employer. For more information, click here. Texas Economy Gets Nod From Two StudiesTwo recent studies offer a positive outlook for the state's economy. Site Selection magazine, a publication for business expansion and relocation, has awarded the annual Governor's Cup to Texas for securing the most job creation announcements in the nation for 2004. Texas last won the award in 1992. Rankings are determined by tracking the number of business expansion projects in a state that involve a capital investment of at least $1 million, create 50 jobs or more or involve 20,000 square feet of new floor space. Texas secured 668 such projects in 2004. The outlook for Texas' small-business economy, one of the most important contributors to the state's prosperity, is positive despite an overall business climate that small-business owners say could be better, according to the inaugural Texas Small-Business Conditions report. The report's data, which was released this week by the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB)/Texas, provides an overview of small-business conditions within Texas' major regions. For more information, click here. Lens on the Legislature: ResolutionsA bill is the primary means used to create and change the laws of the state and most previous Lens on the Legislature columns have dealt with bills. This week's focus is on those other filings that for the past five legislative sessions have comprised more than a third of the total. A resolution, according to the Legislative Glossary, is a formal expression of opinion or decision, other than a proposed law, that may be offered for approval to one or both houses of the legislature by a member of the house or senate. Over half of the resolutions that have been filed so far are congratulatory or honorary. Another 187 are memorials. The Texas Legislative Council's Drafting Manual describes the rules for three kinds of resolutions: simple resolutions, joint resolutions and concurrent resolutions. A simple resolution is considered only within the chamber in which it is filed and does not need gubernatorial approval. It can establish the rules of procedure, endorse a policy or action, offer a commendation or memorial, invite a distinguished guest, or a host of other things. Examples of simple resolutions that have been introduced this session:
A concurrent resolution deals with matters of interest to the whole legislature such as conveying the sentiment of the legislature, establishing joint rules of procedure, designating state symbols, requesting action by another governmental entity, or inviting distinguished speakers to address a joint session. These resolutions frequently require the governor's signature. Examples of concurrent resolutions that have been introduced this session:
A joint resolution is used to propose amendments to the Texas Constitution (as provided for in Section 1, Article XVII of the Texas Constitution), to ratify amendments to the U.S. Constitution, or to request a convention to propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution. It does not require the governor's signature, but joint resolutions proposing amendments to the Texas Constitution must be approved by the voters of Texas. Note that simple or concurrent resolutions may urge ("memorialize" in legalspeak) the US Congress to propose a constitutional amendment, since such resolutions merely express opinions. Examples of joint resolutions that have been introduced this session:
Most of the links described in previous Lens on the Legislature columns for researching bills also apply to resolutions. In fact, many of those resources use bill as a catchall term for both bills and resolutions. |
Strategic Partnerships, Inc. (SPI) is a research and procurement consulting firm offering business development and public affairs services. Founded in 1994, SPI has offices in Texas and California. To learn more about SPI services click here or contact Crystal Kuhs at 512-531-3900. Focus on SPI Consultants
Tommy Huntress serves as SPI's Senior Vice President. In the seven years he has been with SPI, Tommy has helped over 100 companies, from Fortune 500's to startups, find, qualify and win public sector business. Tommy has more than 30 years of experience working with both the public and private sectors and has a great deal of expertise in all aspects of health and human services administrative and technology processes, state and local business development and customer relationship management. To read Tommy's full bio, click here. New ReportsThe State Auditor's Office has released A Follow-Up Audit Report on Managed Care Contract Administration at the Health and Human Services Commission. The Legislative Budget Board has released Budget and Performance Assessments of Agencies and Institutions in FY2004. Sunset UpdateThe Texas Government Insider has been reporting on major Sunset Commission activities and reports during the interim. Readers who are following the sunset process through the 79th session will be interested in a handy chart provided by the Sunset Commission that lists each agency for which action will be taken and the corresponding bills and sponsors. Links are provided to the bills. In January, the Sunset Commission also published a report on progress made in implementation of the 2003 sunset legislation. Legislative WatchBills filed recently of interest to our readers: Under House Bill 1666, certain corporations would be eligible for a tax credit if they obtained coverage for their employees under a health benefit plan. Under House Bill 1668, a Governor's Award for Teaching Excellence Program would be established. Under Senate Bill 940, a law school at the University of Texas at Brownsville would be created. Perry Backs Creation of Pilot SchoolGov. Rick Perry wants the Air Force to consolidate its primary flight training in Texas, a move that could bring a multimillion-dollar annual economic benefit. Five Texas companies are bidding for the pilot school. The Air Force is expected to award the contract later this year. Perry is offering a $700,000 grant to the company with the winning bid to improve or build facilities to house the school. The contract calls for a vendor to offer a primary flight training school to provide 50 hours of instruction and a private pilot's license, a requirement for Air Force undergraduate training. Event Links44th Annual Emergency Management Training Conference - 3/21/05 - 3/24/05 25th Annual Association of Texas Professional Educators State Conference - 3/31/05 - 4/2/05 Texas Library Association Annual Conference - 4/5/05 - 4/8/05
5th Annual Internet Security Forum for Texas State Government - 4/13/05 TASSCC Technology Education Conference (TEC) - 4/14/05 Texas Public Health Association's 80th Annual Education Conference - 04/24/05 - 04/26/05 TASB Summer Leadership Institute - 06/23/05 - 06/24/05
SPI Offers Clients Full Range of Service Offerings
Past ABJ articles by Mary Scott NabersTiny radio tags could create plenty of big contract chances - 2/25/2005 Government construction contracts could yield millions for businesses - 2/11/2005 Government agencies often look outside for training help - 1/14/2005 Texas' open records laws can offer wealth of information for contractors - 12/17/2004 Texas Government Insider ArchivesLast Issue - 2/25/05 Volume 1, Volume 2 and Volume 3 Archives - 11/7/03 - 2/18/05 ResourcesChild Protective Services Reform Overview Budget and Performance Assessments: State Agencies and Institutions, Fiscal Year 2004 Legislative Workforce Summaries Rules and Precedents of the Texas House TxDOT's 2006 Project Selection Process Resources for Electronic Government Diagram of Legislative Process State Contract Management Guide Who Represents Me? Texas Districts By Address Diagram of Texas' Biennial Budget Cycle Public Hearings/MeetingsUpcoming Senate Committee Meetings Upcoming House Committee Meetings Subscribe to the Texas Government Insider™We welcome you to add your friends and co-workers to the Texas Government Insider™ distribution. Simply click the Sign up for our mailing list icon near the top of this issue. Occasionally, we learn about people who signed up, but didn’t get the Texas Government Insider™. In nearly all cases, the problem turned out to be spam filtering on the receiving end. We strongly support the elimination of undesired email and applaud the use of technology to filter it. Occasionally, however, such filters prevent email that the recipient wanted to receive. If you have been unable to receive the Texas Government Insider™ or suddenly stop receiving it, we urge you to contact your information technology department to see if this was the cause. |
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Outstanding Women in Texas Government AwardsThe Outstanding Women in Texas Government Awards luncheon ceremony will be held March 18. The guest speaker is Texas Supreme Court Justice Harriet O'Neill. The Outstanding Women in Texas Government Awards recognize women who have helped shape Texas by contributing their talents and skills to state service. To learn more about this year's award recipients, click here. The luncheon will be held from 11:00am to 1:00pm at the Doubletree Hotel located at 6505 Interstate 35 North. Complimentary parking is provided at the hotel. The cost to attend the luncheon is $25 per person. For more information, contact Lesley Guthrie at 512-475-2615 or lguthrie@governor.state.tx.us. 2005 Texas Business ConferenceThe Texas Workforce Commission will host a one day seminar, the 2005 Texas Business Conference, at various locations around the state during March, April and September. Seminar topics include employee policy handbooks: creating a human resources roadmap, employee privacy rights and the new wage and hour regulations. For more information or to register, click here. 44th Annual Emergency Management Training ConferenceThe Governor's Division of Emergency Management will hold the 44th Annual Emergency Management Training Conference at the Waco Convention Center March 21 - 24. The conference attracts about 1,200 local, state and national officials from the emergency management community including first responders, fire and law enforcement personnel, county emergency management coordinators, and members of voluntary agencies providing disaster assistance. The training conference is intended to give professionals the tools they need to respond to, and recover from, any type of emergency in Texas. For more information, click here. TASSCC Technology Education Conference (TEC)The 4th Annual TASSCC Technology Education Conference (TEC), Contracting - Texas Style!, will be held on April 14 at the J.J. Pickle Center in Austin. This conference will feature practical tips on negotiating and contracting from respected experts including State Auditor John Keel and Cindy Reed, Executive Director - Texas Building & Procurement Commission. For online registration and additional information regarding the agenda, speakers, scholarships, and sponsorship opportunities, visit: www.tasscc.org. |
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