Ray Wilkerson to Chair the Lower Colorado River Authority Board

Gov. Perry announced that Ray Wilkerson will serve as Chair of the Lower Colorado River Authority Board. The 15-member board oversees activities of the authority, which delivers electricity, manages water supply and protects the quality of water for the Lower Colorado River and its tributaries.

Wilkerson, of Austin, was appointed to the LCRA by Perry in October 2001. Previously, he served as Vice Chairman of the Texas Rehabilitation Commission. He is president of Ray Wilkerson Companies, Inc., a real estate development company. Wilkerson also sits on the boards of Stewart Title of Austin Inc. and the Heartgift Foundation and is a 1971 graduate of the University of Texas at Austin.

Klein to Step Down from Chair of Texas Public Utility Commission

Rebecca Klein announced that she will leave her post on the three-person Texas Public Utility Commission as of March 1. Originally appointed in June 2001 for a term to last until September 2007, Klein is leaving in order to join her husband who works with the Defense Department in Washington, D.C.

During her tenure, Klein has been involved with the Texas electric market's deregulation and the continuing transition to more competition in the telecommunications industry. Commissioners Julie Parsley and Paul Hudson hold the other two board positions at the PUC.

Houston Mayor's Chief of Administration is Ex-Legislator

Newly elected Mayor Bill White has announced his staff roster and many Texans will recognize some faces from former days in Austin.

Veteran Anthony Hall, who has served as both a Houston city councilman and as a state representative as well as Chairman of the Metro Board, will assume the title of Chief Administrative Officer and focus his efforts on implementing White's major priorities. He will also oversee the budget process and handle safety issues.

White's former campaign manager and associate at the United States Department of Energy, Michael Moore, will serve as the mayor's Chief of Staff and focus primarily on communications and relations with the City Council.

Among others joining the mayor's office are David Saperstein, former founder and CEO of Metroworks, who will chair the newly established Mayor's Office of Mobility. City Hall veteran Judy Gray Johnson, a former city controller, will take on the position of finance and administration director.

Perry Names Dr. Shirley Neeley Texas Education Commissioner; Robert Scott to Continue as Chief Deputy Commissioner

Gov. Perry this week named Dr. Shirley Neeley, superintendent of Galena Park schools, as Commissioner of Education. Robert Scott will continue his role as Chief Deputy Commissioner.

Neeley, a teaching professional since 1971, has been associated with Galena Park ISD since she began as a sixth grade teacher in 1975. She has been superintendent since 1995. Neeley, a graduate of the University of Houston, earned a master's degree from Prairie View A&M University, and a doctorate from the University of Houston.

Under Neeley's leadership, Galena Park ISD was rated an exemplary district for the past two years. The district has a student population that is 66 percent economically disadvantaged and 88 percent minority. Nineteen of Galena Park's campuses have achieved high ratings. The number of students taking the SAT or ACT has doubled under her tenure while Galena Park's dropout rate is among the lowest in the state. Additionally, the number of students taking advanced placement courses and advanced placement tests continues to rise in Galena Park. More than 80 percent of Galena Park graduates enroll in higher education.

Robert Scott, will remain at TEA in his role as Chief Deputy Commissioner. He has served as Interim Commissioner since June 2003. Scott served as a senior education advisor to Governor Perry since 2001. He previously was a division director at the TEA. Scott holds a bachelor's degree and law degree from the University of Texas.

Quality Assurance Team Releases Annual Report

The state's Information Resources Quality Assurance Team (QAT), which combines the efforts of the DIR, the State Auditor's Office and the Legislative Budget Board, released its Annual Review of Texas' Major Information Resources Projects. The QAT was revamped significantly last legislative session. It has a mandate to review and analyze the state's key IT projects and the annual report details how successful agencies are in adhering to the monetary budgets and timelines for specific projects.

Since last year's report, the QAT observed changes in the following areas:

• The differences between initial cost estimates for projects and current estimated costs continue to increase.
• The average schedule expansion increased from 14 to 21 months.
• The amount of money expended on projects initiated but later cancelled has decreased considerably.

The QAT also emphasized that "much greater attention should be paid to the idea of eliminating redundant efforts and cost duplications for projects through a statewide enterprise approach." The report asserts that many agencies are duplicating the cost of maintenance and upgrades, and that a better, more economically efficient solution would involve the consolidation of all these efforts into one statewide enterprise approach. The report also called for more accurate project cost estimates and better management controls.

The report will be available on the LBB website at http://www.lbb.state.tx.us. Comments may be directed to, John Keel or Richard Corbell of the Legislative Budget Board at (512) 463-1200; or Lawrence Alwin or Ed Pier of the Office of the State Auditor at (512) 936-9500.

NEW SPI GOVERNMENT OPPORTUNITY PACKAGE

As a follow up to its successful roll out of The Guide to the Texas State Government Marketplace, and because of repeated requests, SPI is announcing a new procurement information package comprised of:

• Electronic information on unannounced procurement opportunities for over 120 state agencies plus major cities, counties, and other entities (you choose 3 industries).
  
  
• One year of customized daily bid monitoring.

Data Interchange XML Theory and Practice - 1/18/04

Second Annual Courts and Local Government Technology Conference - 01/28/04-01/29/04

2004 Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Facilities Conference - 02/04/04-02/06/04

Fourth Annual Purchasing and HUB Connection Forum - 2/11/04

58th Annual Texas Association of School Business Officials Conference and Expo - 02/23/04-02/27/04

Austin Mobility Roundtable 2004: The Future is Unwired - 3/11/04 - 3/12/04

NASCIO 2004 Midyear Conference - 4/25/04 - 4/27/04

Texas Association of School Administrators/Texas Association of School Boards 44th Annual Convention - 09/17/04-09/20/04

NASCIO 2004 Annual Conference - 9/19/04 - 9/22/04

Past ABJ articles by Mary Scott Nabers

Believe It! It Is Possible to Win Government Business Without Having to Bid For It! - 12/4/03

Fingering opportunities in biometric technology - 11/03/2003

It's smart for vendors to watch 'smart card' deals - 10/6/2003

Watch Cap Metro, AISD for vendor opportunities - 9/22/2003

Watch state water board for flow of grant money - 9/8/2003

New state laws open up market at state agencies - 8/25/2003

Strategic Partnerships, Inc. (SPI) is a Texas-based, nine year old research and knowledge based consulting firm offering business development and public affairs services.

For details on SPI service offerings call Crystal Kuhs at (512) 531-3900. To see biographical data on members of the SPI team click here.

Texas Government Insider Archives

Volume 2 Issue 1 - 1/8/04

Volume 1 Issue 7 - 12/31/03

Volume 1 Issue 6 - 12/18/03

Volume 1 Issue 5 - 12/11/03

Volume 1 Issue 4 - 12/4/03

Volume 1 Issue 3 - 11/20/03

Volume 1 Issue 2 - 11/13/03

Volume 1 Issue 1 - 11/7/03

News from Strategic Partnerships, Inc.

Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc., was elected to the St. David's Health Care System Board of Trusteesfor a term beginning January of this year. The St. David's Health Care System includes the St. David's Medical Center, South Austin Hospital, North Austin Medical Center, and Round Rock Medical Center.

Upcoming Events:The LBJ School of Government Affairs and Strategic Partnerships, Inc. (SPI) have scheduled the next Legislative Communications Conference for October 7, 2004. The day long conference will again be held at the JJ Pickle Center.

Resources

Summary of 729 new statutes that became effective as of the beginning of fiscal year 04 in Texas

New Texas Fact Book 2004

Texas International Economic Development Fact Sheet

Public Hearings

Joint Committee on Higher Education-- 9:00am, January 20, 2004, Capitol Extension E1.030

HHSC: Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services-- Multiple Meetings, January 12-16, and 20

House Select Committee on Public School Finance-- 10:00am, January 21, 2004, Capitol Extension E1.030

House Select Committee on Energy Resources-- 9:00am, January 21, 2004, Capitol Extension E1.010

House Select Committee on Transportation-- 9:00am, January 26, 2004, E2.012

House Select Committee on State Health Care Expenditures-- 2:00 pm, January 29, 2004, Capitol Extension E1.010

Insights from Government Insiders:

"One of the reasons I'm here is because Dr. Faulkner was willing to engage in an experiment. He was one of the few-though two years later there are many more-that believe education is a business, and it needs to be run as a business with a number of for profit concepts, etc…He brought me in here to see if we, together, could convert the way we think about running this university to a more business kind of concept." -- Kevin Hegarty (volume 1 issue 6)

"When Electronic Procurement gets implemented, it will be the equivalent of moving state purchasing from a horse drawn carriage to a super-sonic aircraft. There is no in-between." -- Sil Romero (volume 1 issue 3)

"Both the TxMAS and Reverse Auction processes, which were mandated by legislation passed in the 77th Legislative Session, provide viable purchasing alternatives to the traditional competitive sealed bid purchasing method and have generated savings and other benefits for the State." -- Texas Building and Procurement Commission (volume 1 issue 5)

LCRA's Joe Beal Discusses Issues and Challenges

The Texas Government Insider features Lower Colorado River Authority's General Manager Joe Beal. A brief overview of a conversation with General Manager Beal follows:

What is it like to manage such a large quasi-governmental authority such as the LCRA? What are some of the challenges you face?

LCRA is unlike most organizations because it is a governmental agency that must function as a business. It funds the services it provides to the public with revenues from the sales of energy, water and other operations. We are like a business in that we don't receive legislative appropriations and we have no authority to tax anyone. That means we have to be efficient -- conducting ourselves like a business and earning our own way.

We operate from the revenues we receive for selling our services. Our success depends on sound business practices, quality public service and efficient and competent performance.

On the other hand, we also have to conduct ourselves like a government entity. We are subject to open meetings and open records statutes and we value public processes such as holding public meetings. That's appropriate for us because of the kinds of services we provide to the public.

Being a quasi-governmental agency helps us stay focused on our mission. LCRA has mission-driven responsibilities, including providing flood control, economic development, public safety and protecting water quality. One of the challenges this creates for us is just having enough revenue to fulfill the responsibilities required of us by the state of Texas while remaining competitive for the services we provide to the public.

What fiscal challenges do you forsee in the upcoming year? Are there other challenges as well?

Effectively planning to meet increased demands for electricity in the midst of regulatory and market changes is a priority and a challenge. Because of restructuring in the electric marketplace in Texas, there are greater competitive pressures for LCRA and its customers. We have more opportunities to form energy partnerships, including joint projects with private companies and other public utilities. As a transmission service provider, LCRA and its affiliates face challenges and opportunities due to sustained growth in LCRA's service areas across the state. We work to ensure that new generation facilities are connected to the state's power grid while we continue to provide safe, reliable, environmentally responsible and cost-effective transmission services throughout Texas.

Requests for water and wastewater utility services continue to grow. In response, we work with the public and local officials to find regional solutions for local needs whenever possible. LCRA and other regional water suppliers face the challenges of providing enough water for all customers.

Continued area growth and its associated development along the Highland Lakes and the lower Colorado River present significant challenges for LCRA because these things affect water quality, water supply, recreation, public safety, parks and public boat ramps. Development in the floodplains along the lower Colorado River and its tributaries creates more hazardous conditions during flooding. This in turn presents public awareness, public safety and operational challenges for LCRA and local and state public safety officials.

What can you tell us about the inner-workings of the various divisions of the LCRA such managing protection of natural resources while providing services for growth?

LCRA's Board policy addresses these issues directly, recognizing that LCRA's mission to provide electricity and other services must be balanced with its responsibilities to preserve and protect natural resources. Our regulatory programs are funded, managed and operated independently of utility operations. Management and staff are committed to preserving our positive reputation of environmental responsibility. We have established environmental management systems at each LCRA facility to ensure compliance with state and federal environmental regulations and to minimize environmental impacts. For example, we have committed to spend more than $135 million to reduce sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions at the coal-fired Fayette Power Project while improving the plant's efficiency and reliability. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from the Fayette Power Project are significantly lower than the permitted limits and far below the average coal plant emissions in the United States. Additionally, LCRA has more than doubled its purchases of wind power in the past few years. We also have spent about $53 million to increase safety and modernize the hydroelectric generation units at the six Highland Lakes dams and increase their capacity to generate clean, renewable energy.

What should vendors know about LCRA in order to do business with the agency?

LCRA uses a competitive solicitation process when seeking outside vendors for services and goods valued at $25,000 or more. We post contract opportunities weekly on our Web site (www.lcra.org). We hire companies for many goods and services, from materials to construction to professional consultants. Supplier diversity is a foundation for success and offers an expansion of business opportunities to many companies and communities within LCRA's 58-county service area. Supplier diversity boosts awareness of contract opportunities among local small, minority-owned and woman-owned companies while helping LCRA keep costs down.

Periodically, LCRA hosts vendor days and notice of such events is posted on the agency's web site.

Inside Congress: Understanding the Legislative Process

Sponsored by The Brookings Institution, in Washington, DC, on February 9-13. Gain direct insight into the U.S. Congress and learn what moves policy on Capitol Hill; involves meetings with various elected representatives, journalists, and lobbyists. For more information, visit http://www.brookings.edu/execed/open/in_congress101.htm.

RRC's 54th Annual State of the Industry

Sponsored by the Railroad Commission, Room 1.111 of the William B. Travis Office Building, Austin on January 28. This year's meeting will feature a new format with invited speakers. Special guest speaker is Texas Governor Rick Perry. For more information visit http://www.rrc.state.tx.us.

Perry Names Medina as General Counsel

Gov. Perry announced that David Medina, a former state district judge in Houston, will serve as General Counsel for the Governor's Office. Medina served as judge of the 157th district court from 1996-2000, during which time he was voted as one of the top jurists in Harris County by the Houston Bar Association. He most recently served as the Associate General Counsel for Cooper Industries, a worldwide manufacturer of electrical products, tools and hardware.

A native Texan raised in Hitchcock, Medina is a graduate of Southwest Texas State University and the South Texas College of Law. A former adjunct professor at the South Texas College of Law, he has been involved in many community activities, including serving on the board of Houston Habitat for Humanity.

Medina replaces Bill Jones, the governor's former general counsel, who was appointed to the Texas A & M University Board of Regents in October.

Perry Appoints Three to LCRA Board

In addition to designating Ray Wilkerson as the Chair of the Board, Gov. Perry also announced the appointment of three new members to the Lower Colorado River Authority Board of Directors: John Dickerson III, Kay Carlton, and Clayborne Nettleship.

John Dickerson III is an investment representative with Edward Jones in Bay City. A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and South Texas College of Law, Dickerson served as Matagorda County Attorney from 1985 to 1993. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas, life fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation and a past-president of the Matagorda County Bar Association. Dickerson has also been active with the Bay City Chamber of Commerce and the Bay City Lion's Club.

Katura "Kay" Carlton of La Grange is president of Carlton Industries, an industrial mail order company manufacturing safety identification products, and president of Kaysweet Confectioners, a gourmet candy company. She is a member of the National Women's Business Owners Corporation, Women's Business Enterprise Alliance, National Association for the Specialty Foods Trade and the Direct Marketing Association. A graduate of St. Edward's University, Carlton is also active in the Texas Women's League.

Clayborne Nettleship of San Saba is a private practice attorney and ranch manager for Seis Primos, Inc. in San Saba and Webb counties. Nettleship received his bachelor's of business administration and juris doctorate degrees from Baylor University. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas and First Baptist Church of San Saba, where he serves as finance chair.

Austin Chamber Announces Gary Valdez as Austinite of the Year

Citing his commitment to regionalism and negotiation, as well as his extensive business expertise, the Austin Chamber of Commerce selected Gary Valdez, President and CEO of Focus Strategies, L.L.C., for the Austinite of the Year award. Valdez will be honored at the 126th Annual Meeting of the Greater Austin Chamber, at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, February 26, at the Hyatt Regency Austin, 208 Barton Springs Road.

The native Austinite and veteran of the banking industry championed regionalism as chair of the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce in 1998, then as Chair of the Austin-San Antonio Corridor Council in 2000 and as a member of the Austin Area Research Organization. He also helped orchestrate the agreement between business, real estate and environmentalists that resulted in the creation of the Hill Country Conservancy to preserve open space and habitat for endangered species; Valdez also served as Chair for its first three years to ensure its success.

Valdez is on the board of the United Way Capital Area and the Board of Trustees of St. Edward's University. He has chaired the board of KLRU Public Television. He is a member of the Greater Austin Economic Development Corporation that oversees the Opportunity Austin job creation effort. A Leadership Austin graduate, this year he chairs the program. Valdez also sits on the board of Seton Healthcare Network and chairs the investment committee of Ascension Healthcare Ventures. He is also a member of the World President's Organization, the Austin Idea Network and co-chairs of the Austin Advisory Board for Texas Capital Bank. Previously, he has been a director of the Young Men's Business League, the Austin Community Foundation, the Umlauf Sculpture Garden, the Junior League of Austin, Star of Texas Fair & Rodeo and Del Valle Adopt a School. He holds a BBA from Texas Lutheran College and a MBA from St. Edwards. He has been named a Distinguished Alumnus by both institutions.

Perry Reappoints Steen to Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission

Gov. Rick Perry has appointed John T. Steen of San Antonio to serve an additional term with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. The TABC regulates all distribution and sales of alcohol within Texas.

Steen has served on the commission since his original appointment in 1998. He is currently the Chairman, serving at the pleasure of the governor. His new term would expire in November of 2007.

Steen is a private practice attorney and is a member of the Texas and San Antonio Bar Associations. He is the past chairman of the World Affairs Council in San Antonio and is an executive committee member of the Fiesta San Antonio Commission.

DHS Launches US-VISIT Program Nationwide

Last week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security launched US-VISIT, a new program aimed at enhancing the nation's security while facilitating legitimate travel and trade through our borders. New entry procedures took effect today for most foreign visitors with non-immigrant visas at 115 airports and cruise ship terminals at 14 seaports. The system utilizes biometrics, which are physical characteristics unique to each individual, to verify identity. US-VISIT requires that most foreign visitors traveling to the U.S. on a visa have their two index fingers scanned and a digital photograph taken to verify their identity at the port of entry. The purpose of this measure is to verify the identity of visitors with visas and ensure that they are the same person who applied for the visa in their home country.