$4.3B tax plan rushing through House
Capping off the first week of the special session, the House Ways and Means Committee handily completed work Thursday on a $4.3 billion package of business, cigarette and used car taxes to help pay for a 33 percent cut in school property taxes and address a Supreme Court order to repair the funding system for public schools. The three bills are expected to go before the full House as early as Monday.
The three bills approved Thursday were originally drafted by the Texas Tax Reform Commission, appointed by Gov. Rick Perry and chaired by former state Comptroller John Sharp. They don't add any new money to the education system - they simply adjust revenue sources - so other plans to increase education spending are gaining momentum in both chambers under the dome. Amid the flurry of bills being filed, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Jim Pitts of Waxahachie (pictured) said there's a lot of bipartisan support for a teacher pay raise.
The biggest revenue raiser by far within the plan championed by Perry and Sharp is the bill setting up a new business franchise tax that will require most medium and large companies to pay a levy on their gross receipts after deducting either the cost of goods or employee compensation. The cigarette tax proposal was amended by the committee to allow for a phase-in of the higher tax - much to the disappointment of anti-tobacco groups, who complained that it will be less of an incentive for Texans to quit smoking. Under the new version, the tax will go up 55 cents a pack this year and then a quarter in each of the next two years, for a total increase of $1.05. House Speaker Tom Craddick said all the bills that make up the Perry-Sharp plan are moving toward House passage, though he stopped well short of predicting victory.
 Special Session Roundup: People to watch
All eyes are on lawmakers during the Texas Legislature's special session, but an untold number of hours will be put in by insiders between now and the session's end to ensure that Texas adopts the best possible tax reform plan. This week, the Texas Government Insider is highlighting four people that will likely emerge as key players behind the scenes at the Capitol:
John O'Brien, Legislative Budget Board (LBB)
During his 16-year career with the state, John O'Brien has been intricately involved in or responsible for the preparation of the state's budget and sound policy recommendations. In June 2004, he assumed the duties of the director of the LBB while maintaining his current title of deputy director. He has been with the LBB since 1989. O'Brien knows the school finance system as well as anyone. He was a member of the team that worked on the current school finance system through multiple legislative sessions from 1989 to 1993. O'Brien has dedicated his career to public service. Before joining the LBB, he helped manage City of Austin's operating budget.
John Keel, state auditor
John Keel was the longtime head of the Legislative Budget Board before he became the state's auditor in December 2004. Keel, a certified public accountant, was special assistant for budget and projects to former Lt. Gov. Bob Bullock. His work in state government began in 1973 as an accountant at the Texas Water Quality Board. After working in the Comptroller's Office, serving at one point as deputy comptroller, Keel worked as an internal auditor and a budget director in the attorney general's office from 1988-90. He then worked for Bullock in the Senate before taking the helm of the budget board, which drafts, analyzes and tracks the budget for lawmakers.
Billy Hamilton, deputy comptroller
State government veteran Billy Hamilton is the number-two man in the comptroller's office. The comptroller's office originally hired Hamilton from the Department of Community Affairs in 1977 to write an accounting manual for county governments. Hamilton filled a variety of posts within state government in the years that were to come, had a stint in the private sector, but was re-hired as the deputy comptroller in 1991. After only four days into the special session, Hamilton and his crew have been asked to evaluate about a dozen changes to the tax bill and many other questions are undoubtedly hitting his desk after his office informed lawmakers this week that they have access to an $8 billion surplus.
Milton Rister, Texas Legislative Council
Executive Director Milton Rister has been standing at the helm of Texas Legislative Council only since February 1. He spent most of the past 20 years assisting GOP candidates and officeholders, coming to Austin from Midland in 1990 as deputy director of Clayton Williams' ultimately unsuccessful gubernatorial campaign. Rister advised Craddick while Rister was executive director of the GOP caucus in the House, and he later held posts as political director and executive director of the party. The 400-employee outfit he runs now is a nonpartisan body run by a council of 14 senators and representatives. The Texas Legislative Council provides bill drafting, computing, research, publishing, and document distribution services to the Texas Legislature and legislative agencies. The council also serves as an information resource for state agencies and Texas residents.
Head of procurement at TBPC leaving
Joanna Peavy, Deputy Executive Director of Procurement for the Texas Building and Procurement Commission, has accepted the position of Chief Financial Officer with the Texas Legislative Council, effective April 25. Peavy was with the TBPC for one year, and while she is enthusiastic about her new job, she said leaving her former position was not an easy decision to make.
"We have a great team here, and I couldn't be more confident in the great leadership that has formed at TBPC," said Peavy, who came to TBPC from the State Auditor's Office, where she was an audit manager. The Texas Legislative Council provides bill drafting, computing, research, publishing and document distribution services to the Texas Legislature and legislative agencies. The council also serves as an information resource for state agencies, the citizens of Texas and others as time and resources allow. Peavy's replacement has not yet been chosen, and her former position is posted on TBPC's Web site.
State funds to benefit startups, private firms
The University of Texas Investment Management Co., which oversees $19 billion in higher-education endowments and state funds, is stepping up its investments in venture firms that specialize in life science companies like biotech firms and drugmakers. UTIMCO has committed $50 million to a new fund being raised by PTV Sciences LP, a Houston-based firm that invests almost exclusively in life science companies. Bob Boldt (pictured), CEO of the UT investment company, told the Austin American-Statesman that UTIMCO is seriously considering establishing an outside fund to invest in startup companies, particularly those built on technology developed within the UT System.
In related news, the board of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas last month approved an "opportunistic portfolio" that could be used to invest more money in investment firms that fund startups. The $100 billion pension fund for public school employees said it will invest about 3 percent of its assets, or $3 billion, in the new portfolio. Local industry experts complain about a dearth in funding for Texas life sciences firms.
Houston picks committee to deal with disasters
After the chaotic evacuation preceding the landfall of Hurricane Rita, Gov. Rick Perry issued an executive order calling upon each of 24 regions in Texas to name a commander to respond to natural and man-made disasters by this week. But elected officials in Harris and 12 surrounding counties, known as the Houston-Galveston Area Council, have instead chosen to elect a 15-person committee to determine how to handle such responses. The 13 county judges within the region, along with the mayors of Houston and Galveston, each nominated a member of the "command council."
Harris County Judge Robert Eckels said the Houston region is too large and faces too wide an array of disaster scenarios -- from a hurricane to terrorist attack in the Houston Ship Channel -- for a single commander to possess the qualifications to lead every conceivable response.
Hidalgo to build border security center
Hidalgo County received funding this week from the U.S. Department of Commerce to become the new home of a $2.8 million center for border security and technology training. The department awarded Hidalgo a $1.2 million Economic Development Administration grant Monday, paving the way for a 20,000-square foot facility to be located near the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge.
One of the goals of the Rio Grande Valley Border Security and Technology Training Center is to better train people like customs brokers and truck drivers. Local, state and federal law enforcement officers will benefit from additional hazardous materials training, emergency management and response, counter-terrorism and specialized education regarding shipping containers. The facility is expected to provide training and support for about 1,000 new and existing jobs in both the public and private sector, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas said.
Legislative Conference Scheduled for October 10th
The fifth biennial pre-session legislative conference sponsored by SPI and the LBJ School of Public Affairs will be held on October 10 at the JJ Pickle Center in Austin. The conference helps agency heads, board members, and other senior state officials prepare for the upcoming legislative session. The 2004 conference included as speakers six legislators and a dozen other key officials and staff members. A similar agenda is being planned for this year's conference. Future issues of the Texas Government Insider will include announcements of confirmed speakers and links to the agenda and registration site.
This "must attend" event was sold out in 2004. Attendees included many agency heads, board members, appeals court chief judges, legislative directors, and representatives of nonprofit organizations. Interested readers will want to monitor the planning and register early. Registration will begin this summer.
School finance guru dies
Jim Shear, credited as being the behind-the-scenes architect of the state school finance system, died last week after a lengthy battle with throat cancer. He was 53. Shear first tackled school finance in 1984 at the behest of Bob Bullock, then state comptroller. Among Shear's biggest accomplishments were working toward educational equity for low-income children and school districts, and securing funding for special-needs students. Shear grew up in Fort Worth and came to Austin in 1970 to attend the University of Texas. In 1972, he took a part-time job at the secretary of state's office, where he met Bullock and others who would go on to shape the school finance debate for years.
North Texas firms up long-range water plan
The Texas Water Development Board on Tuesday approved a long-range regional plan that includes building two new reservoirs in northeast Texas and pumping the water hundreds of miles to the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The 5-1 vote came over the objections of some landowners, business owners and environmentalists who argue the reservoirs would flood and condemn hundreds of thousands of acres. The vote does not guarantee the building of the reservoirs, which is likely several years away. The regional water plans are designed to help the state meet the water needs of the next 50 years when the population could nearly double to more than 40 million. The plan to serve the Dallas-Fort Worth area includes the construction of the $2.1 billion Marvin Nichols Dam on the Sulphur River and the $569 million Fastrill Dam on the Neches River.
'E-Government' skyrockets at Houston tax office
Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector Paul Bettencourt (pictured) announced recently that his office has now collected more than $200 million in property taxes and auto registration fees since the 2000 inception of automated e-Check and credit card transactions on its Web site. Officials said the growing popularity of automated transactions - including nearly $50 million in property tax collections this year alone - shows that residents are heeding Bettencourt's advice to 'Get online instead of in line.' The office processed nearly 174,000 automated transactions last year, a 26 percent increase from the year before. Of those 174,000 transactions, 139,000 were Internet vehicle registrations and 35,000 were property tax transactions.
Reaching $200 million "is a major milestone," said Bettencourt. "One of my primary goals when I became tax assessor-collector was to modernize the office and make it more convenient for residents of Harris County. And with nearly 500,000 automated transactions handled since then, it's obvious the need was there."
Extension of Bush Turnpike on hold
A long-running dispute with the City of Rowlett about paying for land has prompted the North Texas Tollway Authority to halt work on the Bush Turnpike's eastern extension. Rowlett is at odds with the tollway authority over the agency's suggestion that the city contribute $20 million to help defray the $150 million needed to buy land for the road from property owners. The city has passed a resolution supporting a maximum $20 million contribution but has never come to a formal agreement with the tollway authority on exactly how much to pay, according to Rowlett Mayor Shane Johnson.
Until an agreement is reached, further planning and engineering work should be halted, the tollway authority's board of directors agreed Wednesday. Many officials said they didn't expect the delay to last very long. Whether the dispute affects the project schedule remains unclear. Construction on the project was to begin in 2007. The turnpike section will run from State Highway 78 to Interstate 30 through Sachse, Garland and Rowlett. It is scheduled to open in 2010.
ACC cancels proposal for San Marcos
The Austin Community College Board of Trustees this week voted to cancel a May election that could have expanded the school's taxing district in San Marcos. The proposal would have allowed residents of the San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District to decide whether to pay ACC taxes in exchange for in-district status. ACC President Steve Kinslow said the vote will be postponed until ACC can allay concerns about the coalition and the community petition that put the measure on the ballot. The soonest that another election could be held is November, but it could be May of 2007 before the issue is put before voters.
Austin attempts to replace d-town water plant
Austin city officials unveiled before the parks board this week a proposal to build a $227 million water plant in Roy G. Guerrero Colorado River Park. The plant would take up 30 acres, and in exchange, the city would spend $1 million a year for five years on new park amenities. The plant would replace the aging Green Water Treatment Plant, which sits on six prime acres downtown that the city wants to redevelop. The parks board was the first of three city boards to weigh the idea before the City Council makes a decision May 25. The board postponed voting after several board members and speakers said they want the city to slow down the process.
TPWD: $18M to go toward hurricane repairs
About $18 million in bond funding for critical repairs to Texas state parks, wildlife management areas, and fish hatcheries has been approved, the latest installment of about $101 million in Proposition 8 bond funding approved by Texas voters in 2001. The Texas Legislature approved debt service funding for Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in the last legislative session to cover issuance of the latest $18 million round of Prop 8 bonds. This had been a top priority legislative request from the department.
Steve Whiston, TPWD Infrastructure Division director, told the TPW Commission April 5 that an important part of the latest Prop 8 bond package would pay to repair 11 sites damaged by Hurricane Rita, which ripped through East Texas in September 2005. The estimated cost of repairs needed is $3.1 million. The department is working closely with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to recover the costs for repairs at TPWD facilities. Prop 8 funds will be used to pay for these repairs up front, with hopes to receive FEMA reimbursement later.
TxDOT selling statewide toll tags
The Texas Department of Transportation this week started selling its statewide-compatible toll tags. Called TxTag, the tag can be used at toll roads in all Texas cities. TxDOT is doing a "soft launch" of the toll tags to make sure all the kinks get worked out once the department is ready to roll out the tags on a wider basis. The tag is free but users need to set up an account where they can allot a certain amount of money to be taken out of every time they use a toll road. More information can be found online.
Innovation Exchange to showcase best in the biz
The World Congress on Information Technology 2006 (WCIT 2006) announced recently that the Innovation Exchange Advisory Council, chaired by Texas Secretary of State Roger Williams (pictured), has selected 25 international technology companies to be showcased during the Innovation Exchange Program of the 15th World Congress on Information Technology. The May 2 -5 Innovation Exchange is a driver of 21st Century economic growth, showcasing the previously mentioned lineup of 25 companies with innovative technology offerings as well as 20 international trade and investment groups seeking to explore international business opportunities. The IE features interactive sessions led by these companies and organizations, exhibition booths, product demonstrations, and social and networking areas. A complete lineup of the Innovation Exchange offerings is available by clicking the Innovation Exchange tab at wcit2006.org.
As a catalyst for social and economic development through the exchange of policies, ideas, and technology, WCIT 2006 stands alone as the world's premiere Information Technology (IT) forum. The biennial World Congress is expected to draw 2,000 business, government, and academic leaders from 80 countries to create actionable policy recommendations focusing on three issues of global impact: privacy and security, health care, and global digital access. The who's-who in global IT policy formulation will convene in Austin, May 1-5, and promises to shape the future of IT. Click here to register. Click here to read the latest WCIT 2006 Program Agenda.
DPS secures grant for new equipment
Gov. Rick Perry announced this week that $260,000 is going to the Texas Department of Public Safety so it can purchase updated equipment used in drug and ballistics forensic analysis at crime laboratories in Garland, Houston and Corpus Christi. Funds also will support overtime and training in new forensic science techniques at 13 DPS crime laboratories located across the state. This grant is awarded under the federal Coverdell National Forensic Sciences Improvement Act fund and is distributed by the governor's Criminal Justice Division (CJD). Each year, CJD awards more than $113 million in grants for a variety of juvenile justice, criminal justice and victim services programs.
UT to produce TV series on Texas
The University of Texas System will soon produce a series of 13 half-hour public television programs that will focus on the critical issues facing Texas in the 21st Century. The "Transforming Texas" series will tackle the state's rapidly growing elderly population, the need to improve K-12 education and advancements in cancer research and treatment. It will run for 13 weeks in the fall on public television stations throughout the state with the potential for re-broadcasts in other venues. The series will also address the contributions made by the University of Texas System and other state universities in technology, medicine, health, economic development and education.
San Antonio strives to keep River Walk's local charm
With about 30 percent of the San Antonio River Walk's restaurants now owned by national chains, Mayor Phil Hardberger has proposed an ordinance banning more cookie-cutter franchises from opening along the tourist destination. The plan is expected to go before the city's zoning commission and City Council next month. Four of the six eateries that opened in the last two years on the River Walk were chains, according to the Paseo del Rio Association, a nonprofit group that works to preserve the strip's character.
"It's a very big concern, else you're going to have one chain after another, and it's going to look like a shopping center in Minneapolis or New Jersey, and that's not appropriate for the San Antonio River," Hardberger told the San Antonio Express-News.
Bexar judge plays hardball with Marlins
Bexar County's top official has decided to play hardball on the subject of securing a second major league sports franchise for San Antonio. County Judge Nelson Wolff, the local point man in discussions about the possible relocation of Major League Baseball's Florida Marlins to San Antonio, notified Marlins officials in writing Monday that he has imposed a May 15 deadline for the team to commit to a plan to move here. Wolff's letter concluded with a tongue-in-cheek comment to drive home his point, saying "we need to fish or cut bait by May 15."
UT history professor wins Pulitzer
David Oshinsky, a professor at the University of Texas, won the Pulitzer Prize in history this week. Oshinsky was honored for "Polio: An American Story," an account of the social, political and medical dimensions of the war on the dreaded disease. The announcement was made by Columbia University on the recommendation of the Pulitzer Prize Board. Oshinsky, the George Littlefield Professor of American History, teaches 20th century U.S. political and cultural history. His previous books include "A Conspiracy So Immense: The World of Joe McCarthy," and "Worse Than Slavery: Parchman Farm and the Ordeal of Jim Crow Justice."
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Time to prepare for hurricane season
By Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc.
Last year's hurricanes spawned an inordinate amount of last-minute contracting opportunities and forecasters predict that the upcoming hurricane season -- which begins June 1 -- will produce another round of potentially devastating storms.
Hurricane forecasters are predicting another "very active" season for 2006. Experts expect at least 17 named storms and nine hurricanes this year; five are expected to be Category 3 or stronger. If we are unfortunate enough to be in the path of another one of these major hurricanes, the disaster-contracting environment will undoubtedly kick into high gear. This year, however, governmental entities and many of their contractors and vendors will be better prepared. Lessons were certainly learned. Many procurement processes have been revamped since last year's storms and some of the rules, in regard to emergency contracting, have been changed. Many of these alterations are allowing businesses to proactively work with the government. Translation: Vendors and contractors should work with government agencies now, rather than in the wake of a disaster.
The bottom line: Make sure your business is registered and ready to help governmental entities respond! Contracting during times of disasters can be a difficult process - even for the most experienced contractor. Strategic Partnerships Inc. is in the process of updating its guide to hurricane and disaster contracting, which will help contractors and vendors of all types get ready now to do business with responding agencies before disaster strikes. If you think your business can benefit from having this guide contact Reagan Weil at rweil@spartnerships.com.
Madla to quit Senate in May
Sen. Frank Madla of San Antonio, who lost the Democratic primary to Rep. Carlos Uresti, said Monday he will leave office May 31. The move will leave his District 19 seat vacant until the November general election because Gov. Rick Perry doesn't intend to call an earlier special election. Madla, who has spent three decades as a state lawmaker, said he hadn't decided on his post-Legislature plans and won't make any decisions until after the end of the special session. In his resignation letter to Perry, Madla cited his family. "After many hours of thoughtful consideration and reflection, I ultimately decided that after 33 years of prioritizing public service, it was time to put my family first," he wrote.
McClellan leaving White House
Austin native Scott McClellan, who served as White House spokesman for three years, announced his resignation Wednesday. President Bush accepted McClellan's resignation, and praised the press secretary for his service to the country.
Report on homeland security funds compiled
Ever wonder how much - and through what channels - homeland security funding is being funneled to Texas? Strategic Partnerships, Inc. has answers. SPI's research division has just completed a report on homeland security that outlines the flow of funds. Contact Reagan Weil at 512-531-3917 or rweil@spartnerships.com for details.
Report: Hospital tax could help uninsured
A 3 percent tax on the annual revenues of hospitals and surgical centers could generate nearly $3 billion a year that could be used to improve access to health care for Texans without insurance, according to a report released this week by the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy at Rice University. The report, "Code Red: The Critical Condition of the Health of Texas," also recommends the state move away from county-based health care systems for the indigent in favor of regional districts to eliminate disparities in access across county lines. The ideas were among a broad range of recommendations aimed at improving access to health care for the 25 percent of Texans who do not have health insurance.
Wives step in for husbands serving in the Middle East
The wives of two state representatives were sworn in Monday to serve in place of their husbands, who are on military duty. Cheri Isett will replace Rep. Carl Isett of Lubbock, who deployed to the Middle East as a member of the U.S. Navy Reserve. Valerie Corte takes the place of San Antonio Rep. Frank Corte Jr., a Marine Corps Reserve colonel who deployed in February to Iraq for seven months.
FEMA hurricane centers in Texas close
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has now closed all of its hurricane centers in Texas, passing the waning responsibilities to volunteer groups across the state. The agency's disaster recovery center in Houston, the largest such facility ever run by FEMA, shut down last Saturday. Centers in Beaumont, Dallas, Orange and San Antonio also closed their doors. At one time, there were 27 such centers across the state.
HHSC presentation online
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission has posted online a recent presentation to the House Human Services Committee on the status of the new eligibility system. Click here to download the PowerPoint presentation.
Perry makes several appointments
Gov. Rick Perry made the following appointments this week:
- George K. Bennett of College Station, Texas Board of Professional Engineers;
- Ruben Bosquez of McAllen, Texas Agricultural Finance Authority;
- Michael R. Bradford of Midland, Finance Commission of Texas;
- George Conklin of Houston, Gulf Coast Health Information Task Force;
- Darwin DeWees of San Angelo, Texas Agricultural Finance Authority;
- William (Rusty) Faulk of Brownsville, Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board;
- Noe Fernandez of McAllen, Texas Medical District Four Review Committee;
- Sydney Golden of Lake Jackson, Texas Agricultural Finance Authority;
- Jim Alan Greer of Dallas, Texas Board of Professional Engineers;
- Susan Kennedy of Nacogdoches, Texas Agricultural Finance Authority;
- Larry Kokel of Georgetown, Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board;
- Maj. Gen. James Maloney of El Paso, Texas Military Preparedness Commission;
- Juan Sanchez Munoz of Lubbock, Texas Youth Commission;
- Govind Nadkarni of Corpus Christi, Texas Board of Professional Engineers (chair);
- Samuel Loyd Neal Jr. of Corpus Christi, Texas Military Preparedness Commission;
- James Boyd Ratliff of Garland, Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board;
- Dr. Joseph Schneider of Dallas, Gulf Coast Health Information Task Force;
- John Lewis Snider of Center, Finance Commission of Texas;
- Shirley Ward of Alpine, Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board;
- Wade Wilson of Houston, University of Houston System Board of Regents;
- Jim P. Wise of Houston, University of Houston System Board of Regents.
Procurement articles online
Click here to view recent articles on government procurement authored by Mary Scott Nabers, president and CEO of Strategic Partnerships Inc., and published in the Austin Business Journal and Houston Business Journal.
[Editor's note: Mary Scott Nabers' procurement columns run regularly in the Austin Business Journal, Houston Business Journal, San Antonio Business Journal and the Dallas Business Journal]
| ONLINE POLL |
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Do you believe state and local officials, rather than federal officials, should take the lead on responses to major disasters?
(Non-scientific results next week)
Last week, 74% of respondents said Congress should pass legislation that makes immigration laws more restrictive. 24% were opposed.
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SPI seeks subject matter experts
Strategic Partnerships, Inc., is seeking affiliates with subject matter expertise in a number of areas, including healthcare, oil and gas, environmental, engineering and transportation. Candidates should have an extensive knowledge of their related industry, including budgetary and procurement processes, and should have existing relationships with executive decision-makers in that industry. For a full job description, click on any of the above links. SPI is also seeking a researcher with expertise in federal government procurement, its processes and concepts. Applicants for all positions may send a cover letter and resume to jcarl@spartnerships.com.
Event Links
Fiesta Informacion 2006 - 4/24/06-4/27/06
World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT) 2006 - 5/1/06-5/5/06
2006 Lone Star Conference - 5/2/06-5/5/06
TCEQ's Environmental Trade Fair and Conference - 5/9/06-5/11/06
TAGITM Annual Conference - 5/16/06-5/19/06
Texas Hurricane Conference - 5/23/06-5/25/06
ICMA conference in San Antonio - 9/10/06-9/13/06
Upcoming Executive Women in Texas Government events
Texas Government Insider Archives
Volume 1, 2, 3 and 4 Archives - 11/7/03 - 3/31/06
Resources
LBB Budget and Performance Assessments
Senate Interim Charges
House Interim Charges
Texas Fact Book '06-'07
LBB's Fiscal Size-up '06-'07
SAO report on full-time state employees for fiscal 2005
Texas Human Resources Management Statutes Inventory
TBPC Vendor Guide
State Budget Resources
HUB Forms Library
State Contract Management Guide
State Procurement Manual
Who Represents Me? Texas Districts By Address
Diagram of Texas' Biennial Budget Cycle
Strategic Partnerships, Inc. (SPI) is a research and consulting firm offering business development and public affairs services.
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.
To learn more about SPI services click here or contact our sales department at 512-531-3900.
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