They call it 'iJacking'
While the debate over ways to prevent identity theft is bogged down in congressional committees and bills before the U.S. Congress, some local government officials are taking matters into their own hands.
They call it 'iJacking' - identity theft - stealing the personal information of another individual, usually for personal and often illegal gain. Just yesterday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture notified its Washington, D.C., employees whose personal identity information might have been compromised when USDA computer systems were illegally accessed. Other recent breaches involving personal identifiers have been reported by the University of Texas at Austin, the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corp., the U.S. Veterans Administration and the U.S. Department of Energy.
Travis County Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir this week joined a growing number of county officials who are removing public documents from their Internet sites until identifiers such as Social Security numbers, bank account numbers and other personal information can be redacted from the documents. DeBeauvoir said many of the documents in county clerk offices include this kind of personal information on documents such as liens, deeds of trust, refinancing statements and divorce papers. "People put private information on those documents," she said. "It's an unnecessary risk - but a lot of people don't realize that."
The decision to remove the documents from the Internet site was a difficult one, said DeBeauvoir. She is certainly not opposed to "sunshine" in local government. But once those documents were available on the Internet, they were available to anyone "from Cincinnati to China." While there have been no reports of identity theft from documents in the Travis County Clerk's office, DeBeauvoir said the "fear level" was rising. Posting the documents on the clerk's web site is a "courtesy and a convenience," but not required by law. Once the personal information is removed, the documents will again be available on the Internet.
The problem of 'iJacking' is spreading, as DeBeauvoir notes that the Supreme Court in Florida ordered all county clerks to remove all of their online records. In Texas, Fort Bend County has taken similar action, and DeBeauvoir said Williamson County officials are also hearing concerns from their citizens. The issue will be "a top priority" for the January legislative session, said the Travis County Clerk, and will also be a hot button issue for the annual County and District Clerks Association of Texas meeting next week.
Edmonds reappointed chair of port authority
Houston businessman Jim Edmonds was reappointed chair of the Port of Houston Authority Commission this week by unanimous vote of the Harris County Commissioner’s Court and the Houston City Council. Edmonds was first appointed to the commission in 1996 and was named chair in 2000. Harris County Judge Bob Eckels said the port authority has experienced “record-setting performances” because of Edmonds’ leadership.
Edmonds is credited with expanding the port authority commission’s business opportunities to ensure existing customers’ needs are served as well as creating opportunities for new customers. He has also helped secure more than $30 million in federal security grants to help address security needs of the port. More than 6,600 vessels call at the port each year and the Port Authority helps ensure navigational safety along the Houston Ship Channel.
Harris County says no to outsourcing toll road system
Eighty-three miles of toll roads in Harris County will remain under the jurisdiction and operation of the Harris County Toll Road Authority, following a vote of the county commissioner's court on Tuesday.
Commissioners said no to a proposal that analysts said could have netted the county as much as $20 billion had it both sold and handed over most of the control of the toll system. County Judge Bob Eckels brought the privatization of the toll roads to the court's attention as a predictable source of income that would allow the county to pay for both toll and free roadways in the county. However, commissioners opted instead to retain control over the system rather than giving up responsibility for toll increases to a private entity. The Harris County system includes 83 miles on the Hardy, Sam Houston and Westpark toll roads. An 11 percent annual increase in revenues from the toll roads is predicted. In FY 2006, the system added $373 million to the county coffers.
Smith tapped for NY medical university position
Former Texas Tech University chancellor Dr. David R. Smith will be nominated June 27 to become the next president of SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, NY.
Smith was the unanimous choice of the search committee seeking to fill the position. SUNY Chancellor John R. Ryan, who will nominate Smith, called the choice "fabulous." Smith was chosen from a field of four that includes a state health commissioner and two university medical school deans.
Smith, a licensed pediatrician, resigned his job as chancellor at Tech in January, after serving 10 years. He also previously served as president of Tech's University Health Science Center and dean of its medical school. Smith also is a former Texas Commissioner of Health.
Lubbock's emergency coordinator retiring
Ken Olson, a fixture in the City of Lubbock's Emergency Operations Center for a dozen years, is retiring from his position as the city's emergency coordinator. Olson, whose experience and expertise were tested as the city opened its arms to more than 400 hurricane evacuees last year, will retire at the end of July.
Olson has seen the city through the aftermath of Hurricanes Rita and Katrina and more recently during four area tornadoes in May. He will turn over the key to the EOC to Kevin Overstreet, a former captain with the Lubbock County Sheriff's Office. City Manager Lee Ann Dumbauld called Olson's commitment to public safety and the welfare of the area's first responders "exemplary."
Sadberry seeks full-time lottery position
Texas Lottery Commission Acting Executive Director Anthony J. Sadberry is submitting his application to remove "acting" from his job title. Sadberry, a Houston lawyer who served eight years on the three-member lottery board, said he wants the director's position full-time to help bring stability to the agency and complete its reorganization
Sadberry has been acting director of the commission since Jan. 13. He took over six months after former Executive Director Reagan Greer resigned. A panel formed last year to screen applicants for a new executive director is currently interviewing Sadberry and will make its recommendation to the lottery board soon regarding his application.
Three Texas cities among nation's largest
Three Texas cities are among the nation's top ten in population, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates. Houston, with an estimated population of 2,016,582, is the nation's fourth largest city, behind New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.
Other Texas cities in the top ten include San Antonio at seventh with a population of 1,256,509, and Dallas at ninth with 1,213,825. Other Texas cities in the top 25 include Austin at 16th with 690,252; Fort Worth at 19th with 624,067; and El Paso at 21st with 598,590.
Bandera County moving on justice center
Bandera County commissioners Thursday decided to move forward with their plans for a new justice center. The nearly 60,000 square foot facility, with an estimated price tag of $11.4 million, will include a 96-bed jail, two courtrooms, offices and sheriff's facilities.
Three Parkland Hospital officials resign
Three executive-level officials with the Parkland Hospital in Dallas submitted their resignations this week. They include William Vanaskie, executive vice president who was responsible for the operations of the hospital; Dr. Samuel Ross, senior vice president and chief medical officer; and Frank Collura, the hospital's general counsel.
Wildflower Center to become part of UT-Austin
Lady Bird Johnson's beloved wildflower center that bears her name is on its way to becoming a part of the University of Texas at Austin. UT regents Tuesday approved a Memorandum of Intent in response to the center's governing board proposal to donate the Austin center with an $8 million endowment and more than 280 acres of land to UT-Austin.
"Such a union would be a proud and happy one for me, and, I believe, in the best interests of the center and the university," said the nation's former first lady. Although the center will become an Organized Research and Outreach Unit at UT, it will remain open to the public for classes, children's activities and art and gardening festivals.
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center has been a private, non-profit organization since 1982. Mrs. Johnson, widow of the late President Lyndon B. Johnson, is a graduate of UT-Austin. She was a member of the University of Texas System Board of Regents from 1971 to 1977. (Photo courtesy of Wildflower Center)
Big changes in store for I-35 West
Interstate 35-West north and south of Fort Worth is in store for some major changes soon, according to a coalition working to speed up progress along the traffic-clogged highway. Members of the I-35W Coalition, formed less than a year ago and made up of a group of local business and political leaders, said that Wise County residents who fight to get into and out of Fort Worth from the U.S. 81/287 intersection with I-35 West may have relief by 2011. Work will begin on expansion projects in 2008 rather than 2015, as previously planned, according to coalition Chairman Mac Churchill. The coalition is seeking improvements on the I-35 West and I-820 intersection and along I-35 West from Meacham Boulevard in Fort Worth to Texas 114 at the Texas Motor Speedway. In addition to the highway improvements, the group is working on design standards for developments along I-35 West from Fort Worth to Denton. The standards, which local leaders hope to have implemented by the end of the year, include building setbacks, lighting, signage and landscaping.
City of Temple Ok's agreement
The City of Temple has authorized an agreement with the Temple Health and Bioscience Economic Development District that will result in $2.5 million in funding for the Texas Bioscience Institute. Start-up costs for the facility could be as much as $3.2 million. The institute is expected to provide more than 80 high school students with college level math and science classes in its first year. The institute will offer students up to two years of college credit by the time they are high school graduates. The institute will be located at the Scott and White campus in Temple, and will be a component of Temple College.
SW Texas JC approves projects
More than $7.6 million in construction projects were recently approved by the board of trustees for Southwest Texas Junior College. The college has campuses in Uvalde, Del Rio, Eagle Pass and Crystal City.
Among the projects are a $4.8 million proposal including classrooms, administration and faculty facilities and parking. When completed, that project will be leased to Sul Ross State University-Rio Grande College. Other projects are a $2.5 million Student Services Building with additional parking and either a $255,000 warehouse facility or $316,000 for additional driveways and parking.
Portion of U.S. 59 to undergo facelift
A 10-mile stretch of U.S. 59 in Montgomery County will soon undergo improvements in a $200 million transformation. The highway, from the Harris County line to Roman Forest Blvd., will be expanded from four to eight lanes, with three-lane frontage roads on either side of the roadway.
Texas Department of Transportation officials estimate that an average of nearly 130,000 vehicles cross into Montgomery County from Houston each day and these proposed changes are aimed at alleviating some of the traffic congestion. The first section of highway to get a makeover is already under construction. That 2.2-mile project is expected to be completed in 2007, and the remaining two portions of the project are expected to be under way by then. Another 5-mile section of the U.S. 59 project with an $86 million price tag is expected to be bid in August.
Lens on Government: Other Agency Plans
So far this series has covered:
Two other agency plans are due this month and are the subject of today's article:
- Historically Underutilized Business Plans
- Customer Service Reports
Click here to read the rest of the article.
Small business summit held in Houston
Another in a series of small business summits was held this week in Houston where attendees gathered information on issues such as securing growth capital, utilizing health savings accounts and becoming certified as a Historically Underutilized Business.
"If Texas is to remain a place where jobs and opportunity are abundant, then one of our greatest goals must be to help small employers succeed today," said Gov. Rick Perry, who hosted the summit. Representatives of more than two dozen state agencies were on hand to answer questions regarding how small businesses can do business with the state.
Anderson retiring from Texas Youth Commission
After 20 years of service to the state, Texas Youth Commission Chief of Staff Joy Anderson is retiring, effective at the end of August.
Anderson has served at TYC since 1999. TYC Executive Director Dwight Harris described Anderson as a "dedicated, talented and diligent worker for the people of Texas." As chief of staff, Anderson is responsible for management of governmental affairs; legislative, public and media relations; and strategic planning. She also served as a member of the agency's Executive Council. TYC officials hope to fill the position sometime this summer.
Ground broken for Institute for Genomic Medicine
Ground was broken this week at Texas A&M University for the Texas Institute for Genomic Medicine (TIGM). The center, which benefited from a $50 million Texas Enterprise Fund (TEF) grant, is a collaborative effort of the state, the TAMU System and Lexicon Genetics, a leader in genome mapping.
Gov. Rick Perry, who a year ago announced the funding from the TEF and who attended this week's groundbreaking, said the commitment to the facility exemplifies the state's recognition that "genetics research will lead to life-saving medical treatments and therapies."
TIGM's resources will be available to researchers throughout Texas and will be open to the private sector as a means of creating new technology. The institute is expected to create 5,000 new high-paying jobs with an average salary of $60,000. It is also expected to be a draw for other biotech firms to the area.
Galveston ISD names new superintendent
Lynne Cleveland is the newly named superintendent of the Galveston Independent School District. She succeeds Ann Dixon, who was named interim superintendent in March following the resignation of former superintendent Lynn Hale. Cleveland is a former assistant superintendent for administrative services in GISD before her selection as superintendent.
Cleveland will have to deal with declining enrollment in the district that is adversely affecting the state's reimbursement to the school and the new moniker of "property rich" school, meaning under the current school finance scenario, GISD will have to send millions in property tax revenue to other school districts with lower property tax revenues. Cleveland will assume her new role as soon as a contract is negotiated.
Gorzell new finance director in San Antonio
Four departments at the City of San Antonio have new executives following appointments this week by City Manager Sheryl Sculley.
Ben Gorzell has been named director of finance, after serving as acting director since January. He previously served as assistant director of finance. Other appointments include Frederick Garcia Jr. as the new municipal court clerk; David D. Garza as neighborhood services director; and Mark Webb as director of the aviation department.
Supreme Court clerk Weber resigns
Andrew Weber, clerk of the Texas Supreme Court, announced his resignation Tuesday, effective at the end of July. Weber, who was appointed by the Court to a four-year term in July 2002, will return to law practice in Austin.
"Andrew excelled in his duties working with Texas lawyers and the public in general and in taking the Clerk's Office to a new level of professionalism," said Chief Justice Wallace B. Jefferson. The Court will post a job description and conduct a search for Weber's replacement.
UT Southwestern professor earns $1 million prize
The $1 million Shaw Prize in Life Science and Medicine has been awarded to a professor of biochemistry at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.
Dr. Xiaodong Wang, 43, will receive the award from the Hong Kong-based Shaw Prize Foundation based on his discovery of the biochemical basis of programmed cell death, a process that balances cell birth and defends against cancer. The Shaw Prize, which will be presented in Hong Kong in September, also gives awards for astronomy and mathematics.
Uninsured health care costs taking toll on some hospitals
More than 5 million Texans have no health insurance, a figure that consistently earns the state the unenviable ranking of number one in that category among the nation's states. According to a study released this week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Texas had a higher percentage of uninsured residents last year - nearly 25 percent - than the other 20 most populous states. Texas also had the highest percentage of uninsured working-age adults at more than 30 percent. The percentage of Texas children who are uninsured was reported at more than 17 percent, nearly double the nation's average.
And every year those rankings costs local governments, private providers and the state billions of dollars in unrecoverable health care spending - having dramatic effects on health care providers.
Just this week, the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston announced it would likely cut 1,000 jobs from its workforce in the next year. UTMB officials point to a major cause as having to provide health care for a patient base made up mostly of individuals with either no health insurance or with government-sponsored insurance.
Officials note that some 85 percent of UTMB's clinical income is attributed to patients with Medicare, Medicaid or other government-related care. Declining reimbursement rates from those programs will continue to cause decreases in revenues. UTMB, like other institutions facing revenue losses related to those shrinking reimbursements, is looking at ways to increase the number of patients it serves who have insurance - including opening clinics in other nearby cities.
Dallas County has taken a different approach and this week announced plans to bill Mexico and other foreign countries whose indigent citizens are treated at the county's Parkland Memorial Hospital. Parkland is experiencing the same revenue drain as UTMB. County Judge Margaret Keliher admits she doesn't expect payment, but adds that if patients are non-Dallas residents, the country they're from should pay for indigent health care. Last year Dallas County provided $76.5 million in health care for non-county residents. More than $26 million of that was never reimbursed.
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This state agency solicits private sector solutions and encourages new concepts
By Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc.
Investigating creative, cost-effective solutions to government operations is the daily mission of the Council on Competitive Government (CCG). Created by the Legislature in 1995, CCG identifies state services that could be provided better and more cost-effectively through either competition with private commercial sources, other state agencies, a consolidation of similar state services, or any combination thereof. Once identified, CCG is the agency that develops the request for proposals (RFP), selects a vendor and stays involved in management of the contract. Local governments also have the option of participating in these contracts. In addition to the Legislature and the top-level state officials who govern CCG, CCG staff is open to ideas and services brought to their attention by private businesses.
Examples of services currently on the CCG radar screen include records/data management, workflow solutions, and consolidating human resources operations of state agencies.
Another area of study is fleet vehicle management. Controlling costs of vehicle acquisition and maintenance is a constant challenge for public agencies. CCG is looking at various alternatives, including a "shared car" concept. This concept, originated in urban areas as a means of giving people access to vehicles on an hourly basis, could be a solution to public agencies owning and maintaining their own vehicles or using traditional rental car companies.
With so many products and services in today's marketplace, government agencies often have a hard time keeping up with innovations and improvements that could benefit their operations. CCG provides an opportunity for new ideas to be brought to the state's attention to the benefit of all parties - including Texas taxpayers.
Gov. makes several appointments
Governor Rick Perry recently made the following appointments:
- Dr. Luis G. Fernandez of Tyler; Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council;
- Joe Gurecky of Rosenberg; Texas State Technical College System Board of Regents;
- Rolf Haberecht of Richardson; Texas State Technical College System Board of Regents;
- Jobie Harbert III of Dallas; Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council;
- Joe K. Hearne of Richardson; Texas State Technical College System Board of Regents;
- Dwight "Clint" McClintock Moore of The Woodlands; Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission;
- Dr. Edward Racht of Austin; Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council;
- Shirley Scholz of Ransom Canyon; Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council;
- Tivy Lynn Whitlock of San Antonio; Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council;
- Peter Daniel Wolf of West Plains; Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council.
- Cydney C. Donnell of Fredericksburg; Texas Credit Union Commission;
- Manuel Cavazos IV of Austin; Texas Credit Union Commission;
- Irvin E. Zeitler Jr. of San Angelo; Texas Medical Board.
Stafford studies emergency AM radio station
The City of Stafford is considering a unique way to keep in touch with its residents during hurricanes or other disasters. Reminding that more than 150 lives were lost during the evacuation last year of 2.5 million persons along the Texas Gulf Coast as they fled the onslaught of Hurricane Rita, Stafford Mayor Leonard Scarcella said that if another storm threatens the city this year, evacuation will probably "not be the course recommended." Instead, said the mayor, the city will make shelters available to those who do not want to stay in their homes.
The city also is considering a low-power AM radio station that would be used to communicate with its citizens only during emergencies.
Chambers chosen for Stafford ISD top job
H.D. Chambers is the new top man at the Stafford ISD, replacing Lloyd Graham, who has taken the superintendent's job at Greenville ISD. Chambers is a transplant from the Cy-Fair ISD, where he served as director of general administration. Chambers brings 20 years of public education service to his new job.
| Ask the experts |
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Q: What are public records or open records? How do I ask for them? What can I ask for?
A: In Texas, the Texas Public Information Act gives the public the right to request access to government records. Most agencies have instructions for submitting requests for public or open records on their Web sites. It is best to follow that procedure in order to expedite your request. Most requests can be done via e-mail or through the web link, but agencies will also accept requests by mail or fax. (For example, for open records requests of the Comptroller of Public Accounts, click here. Information from the Department of Information Resources is available here and information from the Health and Human Services Commission is available by clicking here).
Types of records that can be requested are organization charts, contracts, agency publications, agendas/minutes, policies, purchase orders, rules, statistical information and budget information. If the agency has the information available, they have 10 days to notify you of the possible costs to provide the information. The agencies will generally hold the records until the payment for the copies is received. Agencies are allowed to charge for copies and personnel time to provide those copies.
After the agency receives your written request (e-mail, letter or fax), they will notify you of the costs to provide the material or request an opinion from the Attorney General's office on the release of the requested material. This request for an opinion is used frequently when a third party is involved - such as a vendor or competing vendors. The Attorney General's Office has 45 working days to review the request and to make an opinion on what information can be released. After that opinion is rendered, then the agency must promptly follow the guidance given in the opinion.
If the requested information contains copyrighted information, agency officials will usually allow you to go to their offices to review the documents.
The Texas laws are discussed in the Public Information Handbook published by the Attorney General's Office and available at www.oag.state.tx.us.
The laws are different in each state, so become familiar with the rules and regulations in each state you search for information.
-Libby Martinez,
Director of Consulting at Strategic Partnerships, Inc.
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Cost of drought in billions
The Senate Natural Resources Committee learned during recent testimony that the economic impact of the state's drought so far this year is $1.5 billion. Droughts, like hurricanes, are natural disasters but are evolving, rather than violent, events. Last year was the fourth driest year in the state's history. The Panhandle and South Texas are experiencing extreme drought conditions and burn bans are in effect in 231 out of the state's 254 counties. Gov. Rick Perry this week asked the USDA's Farm Service Agency to provide disaster relief assistance for 24 counties where farms and ranches have experienced drought damage. Fourteen of those counties have been approved for relief; 10 are still pending.
Williamson County names EOC director
Following a national search, Gary Oldham has been named program director for the Williamson County Communications and Emergency Operations Center. He was chosen by a group of city and county officials and will begin his new duties on Aug. 1. Oldham, from Loudoun, Va., brings more than 25 years of experience in public safety, law enforcement, and communications center management to his new job. The new facility out of which Oldham will eventually operate will include the county's Emergency Medical Services, the Office of Emergency Management, a training facility, emergency operations center and the county's 9-1-1 communications dispatchers.
| ONLINE POLL |
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Do you think the government should do more to help prevent identity theft?
(Non-scientific results next week)
Last week, 73% of respondents said they believe that the Legislature should increase funding for community colleges next session.
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Briseno to chair SAWS board
Former San Antonio City Manager Alex Briseno has been named chair of the board of trustees of the San Antonio Water System (SAWS), replacing James Mayor, who did not seek reappointment. Briseno will serve a five-year term.
Texas Government Insider Archives
Volume 1, 2, 3 and 4 Archives - 11/7/03 - 6/23/06
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