Just days after weather forecasters predicted another chaotic hurricane season - which begins on June 1 - state officials say they are better prepared than ever to deal with such threats. Jack Colley, chief of the state's Division of Emergency Management, says many new ideas - including traffic contraflow plans that turn major highways into one-way roads - are ready to be implemented if another hurricane prompts a massive evacuation.
Colley says he is confident that the state has taken the steps needed to avoid the massive traffic jams that occurred during last year's hurricane season when thousands fled the Texas Gulf Coast area.
Transporting special-needs evacuees also promises to run much smoother if another hurricane disaster occurs. Last year, bus drivers supervised by emergency officials spent hours looking for emergency facilities that weren't already full in order to drop off evacuees. In the future, unpublicized shelters - separate from those offered to the general public - will be set aside specifically for people who are evacuated from coastal cities in buses provided by emergency officials, said Nancy Bass, the state's mass care emergency coordinator.
Texas also will be able to track thousands of future hurricane evacuees by putting scannable ID bracelets on individuals boarded onto buses and trains. The state has also expanded its 2-1-1 system so it can be used by Texans who need to be evacuated via state resources. Operators at the state 2-1-1 system will have access to up-to-the-minute tracking information and can inform families of a relative's whereabouts thanks to the scannable bracelets.
During last year's storm evacuation, availability of gasoline along the evacuation routes slowed the exodus of vehicles from areas that were determined to be in the path of the hurricane. "We're very confident, after going through an [evacuation] exercise conducted a few weeks ago, that we can solve the fuel issue by being able to surge capacity into those potential evacuation zones 92 to 72 hours before the arrival of tropical storm winds," Colley said.
Gov. Rick Perry is hopeful that lawmakers will authorize the governor to order and coordinate evacuations during major disasters. Not all statewide officials agree with this proposition. Texas law allows only county judges and mayors to call mandatory evacuations, and many officials of local governments have publicly stated that they want to retain as much control as possible.
Authorities on the federal level are also touting increased preparedness. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued a statement this week saying the agency has dramatically increased its available stock of relief supplies. DHS is updating its national response plan, and taking several steps to improve coordination between local, state and federal entities.
Senator Steve Ogden will be the morning keynote speaker at the 5th biennial pre-session legislative conference to be held on October 10th at the JJ Pickle Center in Austin. Sponsored jointly by SPI and the LBJ School of Public Affairs, the conference helps agency heads, board members, and other senior state officials prepare for the upcoming legislative session.
Ogden has chaired the Senate Finance Committee since January 2004. Since virtually every state agency must testify before his committee, Ogden's insights will be critical to agency CEOs and CFOs as they prepare for the session. In addition, the pivotal role played by Senate Finance in all state funding makes his views important to local and ISD officials as well.
Ogden graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and received his M.B.A. from Texas A&M University. He served as an officer in the U.S. Navy's Submarine Force for nine years and has been in the oil and gas exploration business for more than 20 years. Before his election to the Texas Senate, he served three terms in the Texas House of Representatives. In both assemblies he has been at the forefront of state legislation on budget issues, educational funding, child protection, transportation safety, and criminal justice.
There's a familiar face in a new position at the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Gregory J. Vincent, professor and Vice Provost for Inclusion and Cross-Cultural Effectiveness, has been promoted to fill the new position of Vice President for Diversity and Community Engagement, which he will assume June 1. Vincent has also been named a faculty fellow in UT's College of Education.
"Greg Vincent brings enormous talent and energy to the task of making UT even more diverse, more inclusive and more welcoming to students, staff and faculty of all cultures," said UT President Dr. William Powers Jr., who created the new position.
Vincent said he has been impressed with the university's "commitment to diversity and community-university partnerships." He arrived on the UT campus last summer after serving the University of Oregon as its Vice Provost for Institutional Equity and Diversity and as a law professor.
After nearly a half century in radio, Joe Gwathmey, president and general manager of nonprofit Texas Public Radio, is hanging up his headphones.
Gwathmey, whose radio career has spanned 48 years, told his board he would like to retire before the end of the year. Texas Public Radio officials report a national search for Gwathmey's replacement is under way.
Leadership Spotlight: John O'Brien
John O'Brien knows that no matter what the policy issue is, it all comes down to one thing: money. As deputy director of the Texas Legislative Budget Board (LBB), O'Brien manages the agency that, among other things, analyzes legislation to determine its potential fiscal impact and lets legislators know just how much it will cost to initiate their proposals. O'Brien has run the LBB since John Keel's retirement nearly two years ago.
"It (the state budget) is the single most important policy issue the legislature deals with, because it cuts across almost all other policy areas," O'Brien explained. "Regardless of whether the state faces a fiscal crisis or has a large surplus, the state budget (and related state finances) is full of both significant challenges and vast opportunities."
It's those complex and difficult funding issues the legislature addresses each session that keep the budget process exciting and challenging for O'Brien.
For anyone else who thinks they might enjoy the challenge of legislative budget analysis, the longtime LBB official has some advice. "In a non-partisan agency like the LBB, I think it is important for a person to have integrity and to communicate objectively. My advice to an aspiring leader is to always shoot straight with people and keep a positive attitude. You don't need to know everything yourself to be an effective leader - you just need to recognize talent in others and give them the latitude to demonstrate their talent and grow."
O'Brien can certainly speak to the qualities of a leader - he has been one since the days when he worked with his high school's student government. He went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts degree from Kalamazoo College in Michigan before graduating in 1981 from the University of Texas at Austin's Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs. He spent seven years with the City of Austin before beginning with the LBB in 1989.
When O'Brien isn't serving as a leader at the LBB, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Kim, and two children, Hannah and Jake. Among his favorite hangouts: Lake Austin, hike-and-bike trails and tennis courts.
Lens on Government: Agency Strategic Plans
Last week's article gave an introduction to the state's planning and budgeting processes. Today's article focuses on the first key element from an agency perspective: the agency strategic plan. "Apart from its obvious importance in describing our agency's strategic direction, the strat plan provides the budget structure around which we base our biennial Legislative Appropriations Requests," according to Luis Arellano, Chief Financial Officer of the Texas Building and Procurement Commission (pictured).
Strat Plans are prepared according to a 69 page set of instructions. These instructions are so complete they even include a forecast for the prime interest rate through 2011!
Click here to read the rest of the article.
In the Interim...
Granting Texas counties ordinance-making authority is a perpetual issue before the legislature. Unlike cities, counties have no home rule power. Counties can only regulate those activities over which the legislature specifically grants authority. As residential, commercial, and industrial development replace agricultural activities and compete in unincorporated areas of counties, the call for counties to oversee these developments has intensified. Just how to empower counties to respond to their requests for greater self-control generates plenty of discussion. Homebuilders, realtors and developers have long opposed county ordinance-making powers and have consistently prevailed with their arguments before the legislature. However, the limited ability to approve plats does not do much to address the more complicated problems counties are facing.
This interim, the House Committee on County Affairs has been looking at the concept of creating a system of graduated ordinance-making authorities, based on population densities and unique geographic and environmental needs, for counties with population over one million. In their testimony, representatives of El Paso, Kendall, Burnet, Fort Bend, and Cameron Counties and the County Judges and Commissioners Association requested that this new authority not be limited to the largest counties since smaller counties are all wrestling with growth issues. Representatives of the Bexar County Commissioner's Court and the Texas Conference of Urban Counties took no position, testifying on the concept, and expressed their interest in counties being able to plan and regulate growth. At a recent hearing, the Texas Association of Realtors and Texas Association of Builders expressed their concern over using such proposed county authority to contain growth while observing that adequate regulation exists currently to manage development problems.
[Editor's Note: "In the Interim" is a series of articles that focuses on the Texas Legislature's interim charges.]
Comal, Hayes county road projects approved
"Pass-through financing agreements" will provide funding for major highway construction projects in Comal and Hays counties. The Texas Transportation Commission Thursday approved the deals that will provide for $32 million in improvements to RM 12 and FM 1626 in Hays County, along with the first phase of construction of a five-lane loop around San Marcos, from I-35 and McCarty Road to Texas 123. The projects also include widening of Texas 46 from Loop 337 in New Braunfels to one mile west of U.S. 281 in Bulverde, and building of an overpass on FM 2722.
In Comal County, US 281 will be widened from two to four lanes of divided highway from the Guadalupe River bridge to the Blanco County line in a $35 million project. Overpasses will be built over FMs 311 and 306.
The pass-through program allows local governments to pay for construction projects, with the Texas Department of Transportation paying back most of the money in annual payments based on the number of vehicles that drive over the improved roads.
State to receive $74 million in disaster funds
The lion's share of more than $74 million in federal disaster funds is headed to Southeast Texas, one of the major areas ravaged by the effects of Hurricane Rita last year. The funds, released by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and distributed through Community Development Block Grants, will benefit 29 East Texas counties. The funds will be distributed through four regional planning agencies.
Hardin, Jefferson and Orange County residents will benefit from $39 million in funding, to assist with housing and infrastructure needs. Projects will include everything from property acquisition to demolition, to repair, reconstruction and new construction. Infrastructure needs such as flood and drainage projects, road and bridge, water and sewer and debris removal will also be addressed.
More than $19 million has been allocated for distribution by the Deep East Texas Council of Governments to Angelina, Houston, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Trinity and Tyler counties. An additional $2 million will be distributed by the East Texas Council of Governments for non-housing needs in Cherokee, Gregg, Harrison, Marion, Panola and Rusk counties. The Houston-Galveston Area Council will be responsible for distribution of $10.7 million for both housing and non-housing needs in Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Liberty, Montgomery and Walker counties.
Non-profit may operate detention center
The newly organized Wilson County Public Facility Corp. is considering an initiative that would include building and operating a detention facility in Wilson County. If this project moves forward, the non-profit corporation, recently approved by the county commissioner's court, would build the facility and lease it to the federal government to be used to house illegal immigrants awaiting deportation.
The corporation would use revenue bonds to buy the property and build a facility with a capacity to house approximately 500 detainees. The bonds would be paid back from revenue from the facility. The proposal is still in the early stages, as county commissioners only recently established the corporation. The new board of directors includes the county sheriff, county auditor, a county commissioner and a county justice of the peace. A public hearing on the issue is slated for June 12. Officials estimate that the federal government would pay $50 per day per detainee. A similar facility is operational in Polk County and is owned by a corporation similar to the one in Wilson County.
Texas ranks second in homeland security grants
Texas ranks second only to Alabama among states that have received federal homeland security grants for technology and equipment improvements in rural communities and small towns.
Alabama has been awarded 76 grants under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program (CEDAP), while Texas and Ohio both were awarded 61. The CEDAP program is a competitive grant program that provides funds for antiterrorism and technology equipment.
Texas Lutheran president to retire
Dr. Jon N. Moline, president of Texas Lutheran University since August 1994, this week announced that he will retire at the end of the 2006-2007 academic year. His last day as university president will be May 31, 2007.
Moline has been president of TLU since Aug. 1, 1994. "It has been a privilege to serve TLU for the past 12 years," said Moline in announcing his retirement, saying he will leave TLU "in a strong position and well positioned for the future."
TLU Board of Regents Chair Karen Norman said a search committee will be formed soon to seek a new president.
Allen to chair Baylor College of Medicine board
Robert H. Allen, a member of the Baylor College of Medicine Board of Trustees for the past 20 years, was recently elected chair of the board. He succeeds Corbin J. Robertson, Jr., who completed five terms as board chair.
Allen was praised by Baylor College of Medicine President and CEO Dr. Peter G. Traber for his "commitment of service to Baylor," which he said would help Allen in implementing the college's commitment to excellence in all areas. Allen is a graduate of Texas A&M University and attended South Texas College of Law.
Trustees also named two new members to the board - Robert T. Brockman and Ali Saberioon.
Texas cities optimistic about financial future
Population and tax base growth are painting a rosy financial future for many cities across the state. Collin County, which has experienced the largest population growth among surrounding counties in its area, saw its tax roll increase by 7.6 percent this year, compared to 6.3 percent the previous year after double-digit growth in the late 90s and the early part of the current decade.
Collin County Chief Appraiser Jimmie Honea admits he "wasn't expecting this much" of an increase, but added that the property tax rolls are "still booming."
In the state's largest city, Houston Mayor Bill White has proposed a $3 billion budget for FY 2007, up some 7.5 percent over last year's budget of $2.8 billion to cover both city operations and debt reduction. The proposed budget faces the scrutiny of Houston taxpayers through upcoming public hearings, with the City Council expected to vote on the mayor's proposal within the next few weeks. The city's 2007 fiscal year begins July 1.
Austin officials released their five-year forecast to the City Council recently that show the city's economy is "strong, healthy and growing again," according to City Manager Toby Futrell (pictured). As in Collin County, both sales and property taxes are expected to expand as the economy expands and as more people join the workforce.
Along with population increases that have resulted in more available property tax revenues for some areas of the state, sales tax figures across much of the state are showing steady growth as well. Local governments will receive $501.9 million in May sales tax allocations from the State Comptroller. That represents an increase of 10.1 percent over the same month last year. The comptroller's office reports sales tax allocations to cities, counties, transit system and special taxing districts are up 15.3 percent from the same period last year.
AG offers vets tips to prevent identity theft
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has asked Texas veterans to be "extra vigilant" and to monitor bank, credit card and other financial statements relating to financial transactions in the wake of the recent theft from a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employee of electronic data with identifying information for nearly 27 million veterans and some of their spouses.
Abbott notes that although there has been no evidence that any of the stolen data has been used illegally, precautionary measures should be taken to protect identifiers such as names, Social Security numbers, and dates of birth for millions of American veterans.
The VA will begin sending out notification letters to individual veterans whose personal information was compromised. The Attorney General's Office is offering a new Identity Theft Victim's Kit. The kit will assist victims of identity theft in beginning the process of financial and legal recovery.
Texas among states suing over Rx costs
Arguing that the federal government is posing an illegal tax on states, Texas has joined 14 other states that are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to block the federal government's plans to bill them for a portion of the new Medicare prescription drug program passed by the U.S. Congress.
There's a lot at stake for the states, as the federal government is asking them to pay $6.8 billion this year and $9.7 billion next year. Texas and four other states - Kentucky, Maine, Missouri and New Jersey - used a special constitutional provision to go straight to the U.S. Supreme Court to seek relief. The high court, however, has not yet decided whether to hear the case. "The states must hand over to the federal government a specified dollar amount for the support and operation of an entirely federal program," the five suing states reported in response to a Department of Justice brief.
Guard's role in border security in limbo
On the heels of the announcement by President George W. Bush that some 6,000 National Guard troops may be mobilized to assist the U.S. Border Patrol to help deter illegal immigration, details of the role those troops will play still seem to be in limbo.
The National Guard's chief says that some of his troops will work close to the Mexican border and will be armed, with rules of engagement allowing them to fire their weapons. Lt. Gen Steven Blum says that his soldiers "will be armed and will have the inherent right of self-protection if placed in harm or danger." He added that the rules of engagement will be the same in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas.
Guard spokesman Mark Allen said the troops' role will primarily include providing medical assistance, transportation, engineering and communications. Allen said it is "possible" that some of those troops might be placed on the border and that some might carry small arms. However, Guard officials in the Rio Grande Valley say that will not be the case there. Troops in that area are expected to provide assistance on infrastructure projects, from building boat ramps to roadways.
A Washington spokesman for the Border Patrol said each Border Patrol sector chief may be allowed to determine how the Guard troops will assist in their areas.
'Click it or Ticket' program under way
Credited for an increase in the number of Texas motorists who "buckle up" when they take to Texas roadways, the Texas Department of Public Safety's annual "Click It or Ticket" program is under way.
The four-year-old program, aimed at ensuring that more Texans use their vehicle seat belts, has increased seat belt usage among Texans from 76 percent when the program began in 2002 to the current nearly 90 percent. DPS spokesman Tom Vinger credits the annual marketing effort with raising awareness regarding seat belt use. "It's really helped," said Voger of the annual program. "It's a cumulative effect - the marketing side is backed-up by people actually getting citations." The "Click It or Ticket" program gets into full swing each year as children are out of school and families make vacation plans for the summer driving season.
TASSCC seeking nominees for awards
The Texas Association of State Systems for Computing and Communications (TASSCC) is seeking nominations for its annual "Dave England Award for Individual Excellence" and for other excellence awards for computer applications and projects.
The Dave England Award recognizes individual leadership and excellence in information technology and communication in state agencies and universities. The award recognizes a person who provides outstanding information services leadership and assists other IT colleagues in the state. The TASSCC Excellence Awards recognize the innovative application of leading-edge computing and/or communications technologies. For details and to make a nomination, go to http://www.tasscc.org/events/annl2006/awards.htm. The awards will be presented at the TASSCC annual conference in Corpus Christi Aug. 6-9.
San Marcos hires economic development director
Kim L. Moore has been hired by the City of San Marcos as its new economic development coordinator. She will begin her duties on June 19.
Moore currently serves as the City of Denton's economic development coordinator, where she is responsible for business retention and expansion and the coordination of special events and symposiums to educate the public about the city's economic development efforts.
Moore is a graduate of the University of North Texas, where she earned a BBA in marketing. Prior to her service with the City of Denton, she started her marketing career in the medical field as the business manager for an urgent care facility. She is also a graduate of the Economic Development Institute.
UT-Tyler receives $25,000 endowment
The College of Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Texas at Tyler has received a $25,000 donation as an endowment to provide the college with discretionary funds to support faculty recruitment and the retention of high-ability students.
The donation was made by the former directors of Petrofac, an engineering, fabrication and construction contractor in Tyler that specializes in oil and gas production.
18-year police career leads Ault to chief post
Mort Ault admits that as far back as he can remember, he wanted to be a police officer. Eighteen years ago, he realized his dream as an unpaid part-time officer with the Helotes Police Department. He steadily moved up the ladder to paid part-time officer, patrolman, investigator, sergeant, lieutenant and assistant chief.
Earlier this month, he was chosen by unanimous decision of the city council to become chief of the city's 18-member police department. The U.S. Marine veteran began working for the Helotes Police Department in 1988 after serving as a police dispatcher and officer for a public school district. "I was raised with a strong sense of right and wrong," said Ault on his appointment. "When I started out, it was just to be a good policeman. I had to learn, and I advanced through the years."
