Texas tops in wind energy
Texas has topped California - again - this time by becoming the nation's top wind energy producer. The state's current capacity of 2,370 megawatts tops production in California, the leader since 1981, by 47 megawatts. It also means Texas produces almost a quarter of the nation's 9,971 megawatt capacity while this year alone adding 46 percent of the total megawatts brought on line across the country.
And the industry continues to develop. Texas has signed two agreements in the last year for the development of offshore wind farms along the Gulf Coast. Although more projects are coming online, wind energy is still considered an alternative energy source as it makes up only 1 percent of the nation's electricity. "It's not a savior," says energy consultant Alison Silverstein, "but it's sure going to help."
Silverstein, a former regulator with the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, says two of the main obstacles for the industry now are price and lack of transmission lines. "Wind tends to be not where people are," she said, "and the state is pretty much maxed out on transmission capacity. We need more transmission lines."
On the other hand, wind development can be a boon for areas like West Texas - from economic development, to providing another industry to supplement agricultural income, to creating additional well-paying jobs. And one of the "under-valued" benefits, says Silverstein, is that "once you invest in capital, the fuel cost is free." There is also the "unquestionable" benefit of no air pollution from a wind farm. That's good news on the heels of a study released Thursday indicating that five of the top 10 power plants with the highest emissions of mercury are in Texas and the state dominates the list of plants nationwide as a source of cardon dioxide.
With 80 percent of the nation's oil and one-third of the nation's gas imported from other countries, Silverstein says energy produced by wind farms could also play a key role in national security "by reducing our dependence on other nations to meet our energy needs." Texas has the ability, she said, to "produce wind energy here at home without having to protect it from pirates, terrorists or hurricanes."
Beaumont ISD first to require seat belts on buses
The Beaumont school district will soon become the first in the state to install seat belts in its new buses. BISD officials received a standing ovation Thursday when they voted to buy 10 new school buses with seat belts and to add seat belts to the 20 new buses purchased in June. School officials also are considering a proposal that out-of-town trips of 125 miles or fewer be made on BISD school buses and that such trips will have first priority for buses with seat belts.
BISD Superintendent Dr. Carrol Thomas said the proposal and the installation of seat belts on BISD buses is in part a response to the death of two BISD athletes in a charter bus accident in March. Addition of the seat belts is expected to cost approximately $10,000 per bus. The savings from using the district's buses instead of charter buses is expected to offset that cost. Adding seat belts also cuts the passenger capacity from 77 to 50 students, but BISD officials say it is rare for a bus to be carrying more than 50 students at one time.
Two Texas sites on FutureGen short list
Two Texas sites are on the short list to host FutureGen, the U.S. Department of Energy's program to design and build a $1 billion large-scale prototype plant to produce electricity and hydrogen from coal without carbon or other emissions. The other two locations chosen were in Illinois.
Texas' Jewett and Odessa sites were chosen from 12 under consideration, and Texas Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams (pictured), who chairs the FutureGen Texas Advisory Board, said the Texas proposals are "clearly superior" and that he expects them to "rise to the top" as the proposals are further scrutinized. A final decision on the site is expected next year, with hopes the plant will be functional by 2012.
"Texas has once again proven it is a leader in diversified energy production, and we are one step closer to having the world's first near-zero emission coal fired power plant in Texas," said Gov. Rick Perry.
Operation Linebacker awarded another $3.8 million
Another $3.8 million has been earmarked by Gov. Rick Perry for Operation Linebacker, an effort by the Texas Border Sheriff's Coalition to curb border crime and violence. The funds, along with the $14 million previously awarded by the governor, will be used to increase law enforcement manpower and equipment along the border.
Operation Linebacker is part of Operation Rio Grande, a comprehensive border security initiative launched in 2006 that allows the state to coordinate intelligence and law enforcement assets within 100 miles of the border. This round of funding will allow the border county sheriffs to hire additional personnel, pay overtime for existing officers, purchase surveillance equipment and rugged terrain vehicles and to cover some operational costs.
Perry said that the strategy to increase manpower and patrols "decreases the ability of criminal groups to operate in the region." He said Operation Linebacker is "working and making our communities safer." The governor said he would request the 80th Legislature to authorize $100 million to sustain border security operations.
UTHSC-Houston awarded $8.3 million grant
The Texas Early Education Model (TEEM), a state-mandated program to improve child care development and readiness of children to enter kindergarten, is expanding through an $8.3 million grant to the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. TEEM was developed by the State Center for Early Childhood Development at the Children's Learning Institute at UTHSC-Houston.
The funding will help the center "nearly double our reach," said Children's Learning Institute Director Susan Landry. TWC receives funding from the federal government for child chare programs for poor and at-risk children of working parents and chose TEEM as one of its recipients. TEEM, which must match the $8.3 million grant, will do so with the help of funding from the Texas Education Agency and the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation.
TxDOT offers State Highway 361 options
Officials with the Texas Department of Transportation this week laid out a number of options for possible projects for the expansion of State Highway 361 from Corpus Christi to Port Aransas. Among the projects discussed at a workshop Thursday were possible addition of a toll road, an elevated bridge or maybe even adding eight lanes - four in each direction - with the possibility of some being toll lanes. A feasibility study is under way to look at traffic projections and cost estimates for possible expansion. The study will continue, with a recommendation expected to be made to the state sometime in the fall.
Victoria considers $100K mobile power generator
With a goal of keeping the city's water and sewer system operating during a sustained power loss, the city of Victoria is contemplating purchasing a mobile power generator at a cost of more than $100,000. The generator could be used for everything from operating pumps that send water to the treatment plant to keeping sewer system lift stations up and running. The 600-kilowatt generator is mounted on a trailer so that it can be moved to the location where it is needed. Victoria city officials remember a few years ago when Hurricane Claudette left the city without power for an extended period of time.
Terrorism prevention funds target fingerprinting
The Panhandle Regional Planning Commission will spend more than $580,000 in federal terrorism prevention funds to purchase for 25 county jails machines that will read fingerprints directly from the hands of suspects.
Previous anti-terrorism funds were used to purchase machines to read printed fingerprints and compare them to prints in a nationwide database. John Kiehl, PRPC regional services director called the new technology for sheriff's departments in the region "cutting edge." The fingerprinting will lead to a candidate list, not a suspect, said Kiehl. Law enforcement officials then will refine the search with conventional analysis.
Officials outline plan for $11.9M in projects
Bay City officials presented plans for $11.9 million in upcoming projects to approximately 100 citizens during a recent town hall meeting. Officials called the meeting to present details of the city council's strategic plan and its three main objectives - infrastructure improvement, economic growth and tourism expansion. The projects include streets, drainage, park improvements, a regional training center and technology upgrades.
Officials are awaiting final approval for a $25,000 downtown visitors' kiosk that will provide 24-hour access to information on local events and attractions. A Lower Colorado River Authority grant is funding the project. In another program, work on new sanitary sewer lines, funded by a $300,000 grant from the state Office of Rural Community Affairs, is expected to begin in four to six months.
Cortes named Seguin assistant city manager
Leon Valley City Manager Rick Cortes has been named assistant city manager for the City of Seguin, effective in September. Cortes brings more than 20 years of municipal government experience to his new position.
Cortes was one of 73 applicants for the Seguin job. He will oversee water, wastewater and electricity issues as well as planning, public works, facilities, parks and recreation and the city's golf course. Cortes is a native of San Antonio and a holds bachelor's and master's degrees from St. Mary's University.
Governor's deputy legislative director joins law firm
Victoria Ford, former deputy legislative director and senior advisor for health and human services in Gov. Rick Perry's office, has joined Hughes & Luce in its public policy group, after having served 14 years in various roles in state government. As an employee of the Governor's Office, Ford oversaw more than 5,000 bills and amendments that were considered and negotiated by the governor's office during recent legislative sessions. "Victoria is a significant addition to our already solid line-up in this area," said Jack Erskine, head of Hughes & Luce's public policy group.
Lamar CISD buys 140 acres; plans $300M bond
Trustees for Lamar Consolidated ISD purchased a 140-acre tract of land on which to build the next LCISD secondary school complex. LCISD agreed to pay the George Foundation $23,500 per acre for a little over 69 acres, and the George Foundation donated the remainder. The total cost to the district is approximately $1.6 million. Construction of schools on the property will be part of the district's nearly $300 million bond package slated for election possibly as early as November. The package will also include funding for facility renovations, bus fleet renewal and technology upgrades.
Lubbock County adds to jail funds
Lubbock County officials have added $12 million to the budget for the new county jail that will increase its capacity by another 200 inmates. With the additional funds, the price tag for the new facility now stands at more than $95 million.
The original jail facility would have housed 1,300 inmates, but county officials realized that many beds might already be accounted for and chose to add 200 more. The county will finance the additional beds with the $1.8 million per year it expects to save by not having to pay other counties to house any of its inmates.
Harencak leaving post at Dyess AFB
Dyess Air Force Base Commander Col. Garrett Harencak will be moving to Virginia this week to become a deputy director at Air Combat Command. He will hand over command of the 7th Bomb Wing to Col. Timothy M. Ray, a bomb wing vice commander in North Dakota. Harencak has been stationed at Dyess AFB for 12 years.
Keller ISD explores pay-to-ride busing
With gas prices escalating and transportation costs increasing, the Keller ISD is exploring the implementation of a pay-to-ride bus service for students who live within two miles of two of the district's intermediate schools. Some district officials proposed free bus service to students who are within walking distance of the school but who live along particularly dangerous roadways where it would not be safe for them to walk to school. However, the board of trustees instead directed administrators to develop a fee-based bus system for students in neighborhoods in those areas. KISD officials are seeking a program that will both address student safety and reduce traffic congestion. If such a program works in this targeted area, it could be expanded to other areas of the district.
New Braunfels to remodel convention center
Higher-than-expected construction costs almost brought plans for the New Braunfels Convention Center remodeling project to a halt, but the Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce came to the rescue. The chamber agreed to return to the city $100,000 in Hotel Occupancy Tax it receives every year to assist the city with the remodeling costs.
When the lowest bid for what city officials thought would be a $10.5 million project came in at $12.3 million, officials began scrambling for ways to raise the additional revenue. The city now will use the additional hotel tax contribution to help pay for the largest part of the bond that will be issued to fund the project.
Officials consider Asian center in $1.35 billion bond
A $350,000 feasibility study for an Asian American Cultural Center has been included in a $1.35 billion City of Dallas bond proposal expected to go before the City Council in August. If approved by the council, the bond package would go to voters in November.
City officials say such a center might include a theater for cultural performances, meeting rooms and a library. Because of the growth and development of the Asian community in Dallas, officials see the center as a way for the city "to connect with the community."
Hawthorne named clerk for high court
Blake Hawthorne, staff attorney for original proceedings for the Texas Supreme Court since 2005, has been named the high court's new clerk. Hawthorne replaces Andrew Weber, who resigned to return to private law practice.
Hawthorne is a former Texas assistant attorney general who also previously worked for private law firms in Fort Worth and Washington, D.C. He is an honors graduate of the University of Texas School of Law and Tulane University. He will serve a four-year term.
TxDOT makes progress on evacuation procedures
Last year's evacuation of thousands from the Texas Gulf Coast ahead of Hurricane Rita was marred with problems. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has since addressed some of the problems, hoping to be better prepared in the event of another evacuation event. Most noticeable among the changes are the addition of contraflow signs along I-45 in Montgomery County.
Solar-powered, flashing signs have been positioned at intervals to help direct evacuating traffic. Also, concrete barriers where a contraflow transition might occur will be replaced with water-filled barriers, making them easier to reposition. The signs and water-filled barriers will be placed on all of the Houston region's routes, which also include U.S. 59, U.S. 290 and I-10. Also in the mix are "evaculanes," lanes of highway painted with a hurricane symbol on the shoulder that allows drivers to use that portion of the road as a driving lane during an evacuation. Wireless traffic devices well outside the Houston area will also be installed, so that TxDOT officials can monitor traffic flow.
Texas Tech stadium project on hold
Texas Tech athletics officials have deemed a multi-million dollar stadium proposal too costly, and have come up with an alternate plan. The original plan for an upper deck, parking garage and luxury suites would have run up a tab of $60 million. Instead, Athletics Director Gerald Myers has recommended the addition of 8,000 seats to the stadium and a façade to the north and east sides of the stadium. That project carries a $20 million price tag. A subcommittee of the Texas Tech Board of Regents took no action on the proposal in a meeting this week.
$2.5 million federal grant to address dropouts
Federal grant funds of $2.5 million have been awarded to Texas to help meet the needs of students at risk of dropping out of school. Texas is one of only four states awarded the funding. The Texas Education Agency will use the funding in partnership with Communities in Schools, Big Brothers-Big Sisters and regional education service centers to address academic and social pressures faced by at-risk students.
The Texas School Dropout Prevention and Reentry Program (TSDPRP) grant's objectives include: expanding personal graduation plans by replicating successful models; increasing partnerships between high schools and other organizations to leverage dropout prevention and reentry resources; developing statewide capacity for implementing intervention proposals; and evaluating the state's dropout prevention program. The focus of the program is training school personnel in successful programs aimed at lowering dropout rates and then implementing those programs statewide.
"This federal grant will help us enhance programs aimed at keeping more students in school and ensuring that they receive the help and guidance needed," said Education Commissioner Shirley Neeley.
Barbers Hill students to be issued laptops
More than 1,000 laptops will be issued to students and teachers in the Barbers Hill High School when school starts next month. The $1.6 million technology investment is part of a $43.8 million bond election approved by voters last year.
BHISD Superintendent Dr. Greg Poole called the laptops a teaching and learning tool and said the district is always "looking for things that have an instant impact on student learning both inside and outside of the classroom." The laptop program began in the district's middle school in 2004, and expands to the high school this year. School officials report improvements in state-mandated standardized test scores of its middle school students since implementing the use of laptops there two years ago. Anything that is non-educational has been blocked on the laptops. BHISD is one of the first districts in Texas to assign laptops to its secondary school students.
Partnership aims to develop renewable bioenergy
Development of clean, renewable bioenergy is the goal of an alliance between the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station and the Texas Engineering Experiment Station. The new BioEnergy Alliance hopes to combine the technology and expertise of both agencies for better and more efficient research.
Bill McCutchen, deputy associate director of TAES, said the alliance will help "accelerate the introduction of renewable biofuels and related bioenergy technologies" in the state. Bioenergy processes including refining garbage, grain, animal and plant products and grease into a form of energy for automobile fuel.
While numerous researchers at Texas A&M have researched bioenergy for years, low and stable oil prices precluded a demand for alternative fuels. With gas prices at an all-time high now, production of better sources of renewable energy has moved to the front burner.
Gonzales new interim superintendent at Brownsville
Hector Gonzales has returned to a familiar role at the Brownsville ISD. With the announced departure of Superintendent Michael Zolkoski, Gonzales has been named interim superintendent of the district, a job he held during the 2000 school year as well. Gonzales is a veteran educator of 20 years, nearly half of which are with BISD. He also previously served as superintendent of the Santa Maria ISD.
Gonzales will have his hands full until a new full-time superintendent is hired, as he will be busy getting started on the $135 million school bond election approved in May.
Mobility Authority drives toll road awareness
The Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority is launching a comprehensive public outreach campaign to encourage motorists to consider the benefits of toll roads. The "Get Up To Speed" campaign includes a series of animated commercials that will run in movie theaters and on local television stations. Information at the end of each commercial will direct viewers to www.GetUpToSpeed.org, a Web site with facts about tolling in Central Texas. "These commercials remind us how (traffic) congestion is negatively impacting our lives and they point out that tolling is a fair and reasonable approach to adding highway capacity," said Mike Heiligenstein, executive director of the Mobility Authority. The campaign is part of the Mobility Authority's effort to introduce local residents to tolling and to promote the use of 183A.
Wright amendment hits more turbulence
Federal legislation to repeal the Wright amendment has run into a little turbulence. Last week, the bill stalled in the U.S. Senate when opposition arose in that chamber. Then, what was expected to be a quick turnaround in the U.S. House didn't happen when the bill was not put on the fast track there. The bill, which would repeal eight-year-old restrictions on Dallas' Love Field, has not made it to the House suspension calendar which would allow it to be taken up in the House and voted on without amendments, nor has it been scheduled for House floor debate in the regular bill procedure.
And that is not likely to happen soon as the chair of the House Judiciary Committee successfully lobbied the House Speaker for the Judiciary Committee's jurisdiction over the bill. Concerns regarding competition were raised. The House committee must now consider the bill before it can go to the full House, which is due to recess for its August break today.
Now comes a reported memo from the U.S. Justice Department saying the agreement signed off on by the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth and American and Southwest Airlines would violate federal antitrust laws. The bill would permit immediate connecting and one-stop ticketing from Love Field and limit the number of gates at the airport to 20. The original bill, passed in 1979, prohibits flights by aircraft with more than 56 seats between Dallas and any points outside Texas, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.
La Marque ISD hires search firm
La Marque ISD trustees have hired a search firm to help them identify a new superintendent. Adrain B. Johnson will leave the district July 31 to become an associate commissioner of education for the Texas Education Agency. The Region IV Educational Service Center, located in Houston, will coordinate the district's search for an interim superintendent.
Operation Laredo nets reduction in crime
Law enforcement officials in a five-county region along the Texas-Mexico border are reporting a 65-75 percent reduction in crime as a result of Gov. Rick Perry's Operation Laredo initiative. The project, a multi-agency border security operation targeting international criminal enterprises, included county sheriffs and law enforcement officers from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Texas National Guard, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the Civil Air Patrol and the Governor's Division of Emergency Management.
Included in the program are Duvall, Jim Hogg, LaSalle, Webb and Zapata counties. "The message we are sending to criminals who exploit our border is that the cost of doing business in Texas is going up substantially," said Perry.
Operation Laredo is part of Operation Rio Grande, a border security initiative that coordinates local, state and federal assets.
Cascos resigns seat on state commission
Texas Public Safety Commission member Carlos Cascos (pictured) of Brownsville has resigned from the commission to focus on his political campaign for Cameron County Judge.
Cascos, appointed to the TPSC by Gov. Rick Perry in 2004, is a former Cameron County commissioner. The TPSC is charged with setting and overseeing policies for the state's chief law enforcement agency. Cascos' term would have expired in December 2009. He is the second of the three-member panel to resign, as Colleen McHugh of Corpus Christi resigned in October 2005. The remaining commissioner is Ernest Angelo Jr. of Midland.
McBee new Port Arthur interim superintendent
Charles McBee, a 74-year-old Port Arthur resident, was named the new interim Port Arthur ISD superintendent in a unanimous vote by the PAISD Board of Trustees. He joins the school district following Interim Superintendent Jim Weeks' resignation last week. McBee, who worked in the PAISD for more than 42 years, said he understands the district has a number of significant tasks to complete in the near future, including preparing for the start of a new school year.
Infante named Lyford superintendent
Eduardo Infante, who has a 23-year education career in the Mercedes schools, has been named the new superintendent of the Lyford school district. Infante, who gradated from Lyford High School three decades ago, has been with the Mercedes school district since 1983. He served the district as a teacher, principal and assistant superintendent. Infante replaces former Lyford Superintendent Jack Damron, who resigned in May to accept a position with the Region I Education Service Center.
Sale named provost at UT-Pan American
Paul Sale has been named provost and vice president for academic affairs at the University of Texas-Pan American. President Blandina Cardenas, who made the announcement, said Sales will work with the deans of the university's six academic colleges as well as play a role in institutional research, curriculum planning, accreditation, faculty personnel issues and library services.
Sale is currently dean of the College of Education and Human Development at Radford University. In his position at UTPA, he will fill the university's second-highest administrative position. Sale, who begins his duties on Aug. 21, replaces Rodolfo Arevalo, who left UTPA to become president of Eastern Washington University.
More than $13M approved for Texas hurricane relief
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved Public Assistance grants totaling more than $13.78 million for Texas this week. The funds will be used to reimburse the City of Houston, Harris County and the City of San Antonio for costs associated with Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Houston will receive $4.94 million toward the cost of utilities related to the sheltering of Hurricane Katrina evacuees and $4.98 million for costs associated with policing highways during the Hurricane Rita evacuation. Harris County will receive $2.56 million for the construction of 1,000 wind resistant safe rooms and San Antonio will receive $1.3 million for costs related to interim housing of Hurricane Katrina evacuees.
Powers withdraws as TCEQ applicant
Hays County Judge Jim Powers will not be a candidate for an appointment to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Instead, he will focus on his campaign for a third term as county judge.
Ingleside searching for new city manager
The city of Ingleside is looking for a new city manager, after financial problems led to the dismissal of the current city manager. While Interim City Manager Walter Hill holds the reins, city officials are contemplating hiring a search firm to assist in their efforts to find a new city manager, hoping to have someone in place by the end of October.
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Texas officials turning to camera technology
By Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc.
City officials throughout Texas are being forced to work with smaller budgets. Delivering more for less has become a statewide mandate. The solution many have turned to is technology.
A growing trend in Texas cities is to install cameras that record traffic violations at intersections. Advocates say that cameras will reduce the amount of red light runners, improve efficiency in issuing citations and collecting fees and allow officers to cover other areas.
Garland began a "safelight program" in 2003 by installing cameras at four traffic light intersections. Since that time, officials say that the number of accidents caused by drivers running red lights has dropped by more than half at the monitored intersections. The city is investing the $3 million in fines it has collected in additional technology to improve public safety.
In 2004, Frisco, Richardson and Plano joined forces and installed a seamless red-light system between the cities. University Park city council members this week approved a contract to install traffic light cameras at several intersections over the next few months.
In 2003, the legislature passed a bill that allows cities to use a civil penalty for traffic violations such as running a red light, but until last week, officials were restricted in using such technology at state-maintained intersections. A recent opinion by the Texas Attorney General now allows cities to install cameras on state property if they first receive approval from the Texas Department of Transportation. Those ticketed by a law enforcement officer for running a red light face a criminal penalty, while red light offenses recorded by cameras face a civil penalty.
Amarillo city leaders are analyzing the use of cameras for red light enforcement at key intersections and hope to have cameras installed at the city's 10 most dangerous intersections by February. Bedford and Arlington are expected to follow suit. Bedford officials will conduct a study to determine possible placement and number of cameras and are seeking camera vendors. At a meeting this week, Austin city council members agreed to create a plan to install cameras to enforce safety and reduce incidents of traffic violations at intersections.
Companies with digital photo enforcement technology are likely to find hundreds of opportunities in Texas in the very near future. And, opportunities are just as abundant throughout the country. As of May, dozens of U.S. cities had made decisions to use cameras to enforce traffic laws and beef up safety protection. This is a trend that is escalating quickly.
SPI compiles list of homeland security fund purchases, contractors
Have you ever wondered what local jurisdictions are buying with homeland security funds? Have you wondered who is getting the contracts? To help shed some light on those questions, SPI has complied a list of recent purchases that Texas municipalities have made with their grant funding. To take a quick look, (link removed).
Note to TGI readers: This is the type of research SPI provides on a regular basis to clients. Because documents of this type are in high demand, we offer this sampling to our loyal TGI readers. However, the information will be available on our site only through Monday.
Garrison named W. Orange public works director
Ron Garrison has been named public works director for the city of West Orange, and will assume his duties on Aug. 1. It will be a homecoming of sorts for Garrison, who served as public works director for the city five years ago.
Bolinger named LBJ Director of Conferences and Training
Kelly Bolinger is the new LBJ School of Public Affairs Director of Conferences and Training. Bolinger comes to the LBJ School with more than 11 years experience at the University of Texas at Austin and served most recently as the program coordinator for the university's Informal Classes Program. The Office of Conferences and Training partners with Strategic Partnerships, Inc. to coordinate the Legislative Communication Conference scheduled for Oct. 10.
Schertz City Manager Marquez leaving
Schertz City Manager Mark Marquez is retiring after 15 years of service to the city. During that time, Marquez has also served the city as director of human resources, director of economic development and assistant city manager. He was named city manager in 2002.
John Bierschwale will serve as interim city manager while the city searches for a permanent replacement. City officials hope to have a replacement for Marquez within three months.
Governor makes several appointments
Governor Rick Perry recently made the following appointments:
- Reta K. Dyess of Jacksonville; Animal Health Commission;
- Thomas George Kezar of Austin; Animal Health Commission;
- Ernesto A. (Ernie) Morales of Devine; Animal Health Commission;
- Michael Louis Vickers D.V.M. of Falfurrias; Animal Health Commission;
- Tivy L. Whitlock of Mivo; Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council;
- Dr. Edward M. Racht of Austin; Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council;
- Pete Daniel Wolf of Windthorst; Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council;
- Shirley Scholz of Ransom Canyon; Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council;
- Jodie Harbert III of Flower Mound ; Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council;
- Dr. Luis G. Fernandez of Tyler; Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council;
- Stephen Kurt Fryar of Brownwood; Texas Youth Commission.
College Station ISD picks Coulson
Eddie Coulson is the lone finalist for the superintendent's position in the College Station ISD. A longtime school administrator, Coulson has more than 20 years of education experience, including the last nine with the CSISD, where he most recently served as deputy superintendent for curriculum and instruction.
Coulson is a former English and history teacher, spending a dozen years as a middle school English teacher and administrator for the Spring ISD before being named director of human resources at CSISD in 1997. He was promoted to deputy superintendent in 2001.
Harden named vice president at Hardin-Simmons
Leland Harden, director of university communications at Hardin-Simmons University, is the new vice president of institutional advancement, stepping into the position being vacated by Wayne Roy. Roy will retire Dec. 31, but Harden will begin his transition into the role immediately. Harden also will continue as marketing director.
Katy officials consider projects in possible $304M bond
Katy school district committee members met this week to discuss whether to include future land purchases for new campuses in a possible November bond election. If the land purchases are included in the package, the bond proposal could be close to $304 million dollars, $43 million more than a previously defeated proposal. If funds for land are not included, the district could risk paying even more for land later. Committee members will meet again on Aug. 3 to discuss the district's technology, curriculum and instructional needs and how funding for those might be included in the bond package. Also recommended for funding through the new construction money would be construction of two junior high schools, a ninth-grade center and a bus transportation center.
| Ask the experts |
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Q: What are government agencies doing to help secure information and reduce the risks of identity theft?
A:The struggle to find the right balance between privacy, convenience and open government poses serious challenges. The Texas Public Information Act holds the default position that information possessed by government is open for anyone to see; however, private citizens and government officials have a growing concern about jeopardizing sensitive information.
During the last regular session of the Texas Legislature, Sen. John Corona passed SB255 requiring state agencies and universities to delete information from IT equipment before it is disposed of or surplused. Any vendor providing hardware maintenance or seat management services to government needs to be sure they are clear on how to handle storage devices that are being replaced or serviced.
One trend among governments is to avoid collecting or using sensitive data when it is not needed. Agencies and universities are eliminating the social security number as an identifier where it is not required and improving security measures for those uses where the SSN is necessary.
Some agencies are choosing not to display public records that contain sensitive data on the Internet because of concerns about identity theft. The public records remain available in response to specific requests for them.
Another trend is encrypting sensitive data, so that even if security is breached or a laptop is stolen, the data cannot be read. This technique will become more prevalent when hardware manufacturers begin including built-in encryption tools. Some products with this feature are already becoming available.
As part of a goal to improve service and reduce costs, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) now allows the public to order copies of vital records (birth certificates, etc.) online. In the wrong hands, however, these kinds of sensitive records could also pose a security risk. To address this, DSHS set up a series of identification and verification steps to ensure that only those entitled are allowed access to the personal records they need. Vendors with good IT solutions to fraud prevention and online identification verification should find plenty of opportunities with governments in the coming years.
-Dave Horton,
Senior Consultant, Strategic Partnerships, Inc.
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Texas accountability ratings to be released
State accountability ratings for Texas school districts, charters and campuses will be announced by Texas Education Commissioner Shirley J. Neeley at a 1:30 p.m. press conference in Pasadena on Tuesday, Aug. 1. Accountability ratings are based on state test results, high school completion rates and dropout rates. The ratings will be available on the TEA web site at www.tea.state.tx.us immediately after the press conference ends.
Job Opportunities at SPI:
Texas is a big state, with hundreds of public school districts and dozens of institutions of higher education. To complement our current consulting staff, Strategic Partnerships, Inc., is seeking additional consultants with statewide or regional experience and subject matter expertise in public school grades K-12 and in higher education.
For a full job description for the K-12 positions, click here.
To access the job description for higher ed consultants, click here.
Recent Reports
TEA creates HB 1 information site
The Texas Education Association has created a Web site focusing on the implementation of HB 1, the school finance bill passed during the Third Called Session of the 79th Legislature. The site is updated periodically with information regarding rulemaking, RFP status and stakeholder meeting information. Documents will be placed online as they become available. To view the Web site, click here.
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Texas Government Insider Archives
Volume 1, 2, 3 and 4 Archives - 11/7/03 - 7/14/06
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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.
6034 W. Courtyard Dr. #100
Austin, Texas 78730
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