Albert Hawkins, Executive Commissioner of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Receives Bob Bullock Award for Outstanding Public Stewardship

Albert Hawkins, Executive Commissioner of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, was presented the seventh annual Bob Bullock Award for Outstanding Public Stewardship on Thursday, January 29. He accepted the award from Rep. Hildebran, a previous honoree, as friends, coworkers, and state officials applauded. Commissioner Hawkins shared a few "Bullock" stories with the audience--maintaining a precedent that was established when the award was named and launched.

The award honors outstanding public stewards who have a personal and dedicated commitment to public service, in the spirit of the award's namesake. The recipients of this award have improved the efficacy of government and have promoted innovations that will improve the future well being of all Texans. Recipients are leaders who are able to inspire other civil servants to rise above the norm.

Commissioner Hawkins joins previous recipients Billy Hamilton, Deputy State Comptroller; Texas State Representative Harvey Hilderbran; Texas State Senator Steve Ogden; Mike Sheridan, former Executive Director of the Texas Workforce Commission; James Hine, then Executive Director, Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services; and Don Gilbert, former Commissioner of Health and Human Services in receiving the award.

Hawkins currently heads the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and oversees the operations of 11 state agencies, comprised of about 50,000 employees working with a total annual budget of about $17 billion. Previously, Hawkins was Assistant to President George W. Bush and Secretary to the Cabinet. Prior to that position he was Director of Governor George W. Bush's Office of Budget and Planning. He also served as Deputy Director of the Texas Legislative Budget Board.

Governor Proposes Education Initiatives

Foreshadowing what promises to be a complex and heated debate in a potential Legislative Special Session on Public School Finance, Gov. Perry announced a number of performance-based monetary incentives for schools in a series of speeches this week. A number of his proposals involve a $100 bonus--$200 for at-risk pupils--per student who succeeds in meeting certain criteria. Examples of bonus incentives include passing the Algebra I end-of-course exam, scoring in the ninetieth percentile on the standardized TAKS test, and advancing through high school with a passing score on TAKS. Schools could also earn an extra $1000, once again doubled to $2000 for at-risk individuals, for each student who completes the Distinguished Achievement Program, the most rigorous course of study available to Texas students. The entire package of incentives is expected to cost approximately $500 million.

The Governor's plan has garnered mixed reviews. Some educators say that the plan will not meet the needs of Texas school systems and some business groups are calling for additional spending that would equate to $1000 a year/student. Specifically under fire is the "Teacher Excellence Initiative" which promises $2,500 in matching funds per qualifying educator in conjunction with a school district-initiated teaching excellence program. Some school districts, already struggling financially, have been vocal about being asked to produce additional funds for the incentive plan.

Bill Hammond, President of the Texas Association of Business, speaking independently on the issue of public school finance on Monday, rejected any suggestion that higher taxes are needed to improve the state's schools. He called instead for a repeal of class-size mandates and said that he preferred allowing administrators greater flexibility in firing poor performing teachers. Perry has not yet specified how the estimated $500 million will be raised for the incentive initiatives.

Texas Military Facilities are Endangered

An expected 25% of all domestic military bases will either close or realign in 2005 in a process that occurs every ten years. Gov. Perry announced his approval of the Department of Defense's Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) criteria last week, clearing the way for communities surrounding Texas military bases to begin lobbying their cases. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson, however, sent a letter to Defense Secretary Rumsfeld, arguing for two changes in the criteria. The BRAC criteria will be the standard by which individual bases are judged. The draft criteria were published on December 22, and the Department of Defense invited comment on them until January 28. Secretary Rumsfeld is expected to formalize base closing criteria on February 16.

Texas has 17 major military institutions that will come under review. They bring an estimated $43 billion of economic benefit to the state annually.

Health and Human Services Transition Update

The HB 2292 Transition Legislative Oversight Committee held its fourth public meeting on January 28, 2004 in Austin. This committee is co-chaired by Sen. Nelson and Rep. Wohlegumuth. It is charged with monitoring the progress of the Health and Human Services organizational consolidation and with providing input to the Executive Commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC).

At this meeting, the HHSC provided an update on the progress of the transformation activities, the status of these activities today, and the success of various service improvement projects. An overview was also presented of consolidation and organizational plans for each of the four new service agencies (DFPS, DARS, DSHS, and DADS) as well as the new Office of Inspector General. For more information and to view the presentation materials, click on http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us/Consolidation/HB_2292/012904_TLOC_PH.html.

TEXAS SHORTS:

TxDOT Granted New Authority to Create Toll Roads

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) was recently granted the authority to create toll lanes at any location on the state highway system, provided that the lanes reduce traffic congestion. This new authority, which was granted under a proposed rule issued by the Texas Transportation Commission (TTC), is expected to only be applied to future highway projects, and not placed on existing portions of the state highway system. Another proposed rule under consideration by TTC could pave the way for private contractors or public entities to construct new state highways in the future.

Some Argue that More State Money Is Needed for Road Maintenance

San Antonio business and political leaders pointed out the necessity of more state funding for road upkeep at a recent meeting of the Texas Transportation Commission. After explaining their plans to pump more local money into roads, they argued that the state needed to carry some of the burden as well. In order to keep up with the rapidly growing population and traffic San Antonio needs an additional $6.6 billion through 2030, almost four times more than allotted.

Faced with these demands, the Transportation Commission and local communities are turning towards toll roads as the only solution. Toll roads, however, only work when the demand is so great that drivers see them as a viable and valuable alternative. San Antonio also has plans to increase the sales tax in order to pay for roads and enhance the public transportation system. Other initiatives include asking the Legislature to allow metropolitan areas to raise the gas tax locally.

New Austin Park Receives TPWD Grant

The Travis County East Metropolitan Park, which is scheduled to open in 2005, recently received $1 million grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The county expects to add tennis courts, a swimming pool, a disc golf course, a rock climbing wall, and other amenities to the new park as a result of the grant. The state grant was made possible because of private donations from developer Dick Rathgeber and Milburn homes, who are developing a subdivision in the area.

Survey of Executives Bodes Well for Texas Economy

The Texas Business Leaders' Confidence Index, a quarterly survey of Texas executives' projections for the economy, rose to an all time high of 71 out of 100 possible points. The survey asks seven general and industry-specific economic questions in order to gauge the business climate. The survey also asks leaders about the upcoming demand for technology products: 82% of those polled expect demand to rise, an about-turn from previous quarters in which increased capital expenditures were not expected. Panelists also predicted increases in interest rates, sales, and profit, but no changes in hiring plans.

Perry Lauds State's Energy Industry

In an address at the Railroad Commission's Annual State of the Industry, Gov. Perry stressed that the Texas energy industry is essential to both state and national economic growth. He also stated that future economic growth in Texas depends on an educated workforce and applauded the industry for continuing to lead in the development of cleaner forms of energy. Texas supplies 28 percent of onshore domestic oil, and 35 percent of onshore domestic natural gas. Forty-one percent of the rigs being run in the United States today are in Texas. Drilling permits are on the rise, and Texas is now a potential site for several Liquefied Natural Gas (LGN) plants that will mean billions more invested in the state's economy, and the creation of new jobs. The governor has recently created the Texas Energy Council, led by Railroad Commission Chairman Victor Carrillo, to devise an energy plan that will lead to greater production, more jobs in the energy industry, and the development of cleaner forms of energy with in Texas.

New Federal Detention Center in South Texas

Frio County beat out Webb and LaSalle Counties for the location of the Department of Homeland Security's new federal detention center, which will be housed in Pearsall, a town 50 miles southwest of San Antonio. The structure will house up to 1,020 undocumented immigrants, according to officials, and promises to bring hundreds of jobs to the area. Correctional Services Corporation (CCA) of Sarasota, Florida won the right to build and operate the facility, for $21.7 million in the first year. The contract is renewable annually for a total of $109 million over the five subsequent years. This facility is expected to open in early 2005. The federal government will maintain responsibility for the residents' healthcare.

Garland's First Responders Going Wireless

Garland's new wireless system is on track to become the nation's first and geographically largest deployment of mobile mesh networking technology for use by a public-safety organization. The city of Garland decided to change its cellular-based communications system to a wireless broadband system in 2003. Garland's telecommunications manager found that the broadband solution enabled mobile responders to send and receive data faster, while simultaneously eliminating the cost of towers and subscriber fees associated with the old system. The new system, which will be completed during the second quarter of 2004, will provide full data communication coverage with the potential for adding voice and streaming video options in the future.

UTHCSA to Receive $4 Million in Federal Funds

The University of Texas Health Center of San Antonio (UTHCSA) greatly benefited from the federal Omnibus Appropriations Bill just passed. UTHCSA will receive funding for a number of projects it spearheads. Some of the funding included: $2.5 million to support asthma research; $994,000 to fund efforts to improve Hispanic nutrition; and $500,000 for researching myeloma-bone marrow cancer. The Lower Rio Grande Valley Regional Academic Health Center, part of UTHSCA, was granted nearly $1 million to sustain and encourage the nations' first Hispanic Nutrition Research Center.

HHSC Agencies Look at Additional Privatization

As part of the state's major reorganization of Health and Human Services, a few of the agencies are examining the concept and feasibility of outsourcing. The Department of Mental Health and Retardation has invited companies to submit bids for the management of state schools and a state hospital. Bidders have been told to demonstrate a cost savings of at least 25 percent while maintaining the same service level. A decision is expected by April 1. Twenty two Texas hospitals are candidates for privatization. The HHSC is also evaluating outsourcing the human resources and payroll operations for the numerous agencies under its umbrella-a final request for bids for this undertaking should be posted by mid-February, with an ultimate decision expected by August 1. The public is invited to comment on the reorganization at an open hearing on Feb. 3 at the Department of Human Services.

Outsourcing Grows Globally

A North Carolina business-intelligence firm released a study this week stating that 90 percent of U.S. companies outsource some part of their operation. Furthermore, they argued that the global outsourcing market stands at over $350 billion. They sited cost savings and improving overall organizational performance as the factors driving the shift towards outsourcing.

Special Election Runoff Date Set

The Governor's office announced that runoff elections in SD1 and SD31 will be held on February 17.

Texas Public Policy Foundation's 2nd Annual Policy Orientation for the Texas Legislature

The Texas Public Policy Foundation hosted its 2nd Annual Policy Orientation for the Texas Legislature on January 28 and 29. Of the topics discussed, Public Education was one of the most prominent.

Wednesday’s program focused exclusively on issues surrounding education reform and tax changes, while Thursday included discussions ranging from health care and water to transportation and insurance. Shirley Neeley, Ph.D., the Texas Commissioner of Education, delivered the opening keynote address.

For more information, visit Texas Public Policy Foundation's website at http://www.texaspolicy.com.

Texas Educators Hold Midwinter Conference

The Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) held their Midwinter Conference over January 26, 27, and 28, celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Texas School System. Public School Finance topped the list at this conference as well, as Ray Perryman, president of The Perryman Group, delivered th keynote on "The Relationship Between the Texas Economy and Texas School Finance."

Sessions were also held on Taxation Options for Public School Finance, the current state of the West Orange-Cove ISD, et al. vs. State of Texas case, and the actual price of education in Texas, including both instructional and non-instructional costs.

For more information, visit TASA's website at http://www.tasanet.org.

Governor's Executive Development Program Reception

A reception honoring the attendees and graduates of the Governor's Executive Development Program was held on Tuesday. The Program, which was chartered by the Legislature in 1985, is a collaborative effort between the University of Texas LBJ School of Public Affairs and the Governor's Office. The program is a three-week, intensive educational program for top executives in Texas state agencies and universities, aimed at imparting good organizational leadership and strategy. All students must be leaders within their agencies or universities, and are screened by members of the Governor's Office as well as the LBJ School.

The Governor's Executive Development Program is unique in the nation, in that it is the only such program that is a collaboration between a state's executive branch and a graduate institution. The program has continued through various governors' tenures, and prides itself on its bipartisan dedication to effective organizational direction and vision. To date, the program has around 900 graduates, with 55 individuals in the current class. Many state agencies are currently led by graduates of the Governor's Executive Development Program.

Dr. Barry Bales is the LBJ School of Public Policy's Assistant Dean for Professional Development and the Director of the Governor's Executive Development Program. For more information, please visit http://www.utexas.edu/lbj/profdev/ep/gedp.html.

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.

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

Millions in security funds sailing into Texas - 1/19/2004

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 3 - 1/23/04

Volume 2 Issue 2 - 1/16/04

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.

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

NASBO Fiscal Survey of the States

Fiscal Year 2003 Quality Assurance Team's Annual Report

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

DHS: Department of Aging and Disability and Department of State Health Services-- 1:00pm and 3:00pm, February 3, 2004, 701, W 51 St, Austin

Senate Select Interim Committee on Water Policy-- 10:30am, February 3, 2004, University of El Paso

House Appropriations, Sub-committee on Education-- 1:00pm, February 5, 2004, E2.012

House Select Committee on State Health Care Expenditures-- 10:00am, February 11, 2004, E1.010

Senate Select Interim Sub-committee on State Water Rights-- 1:00 pm(MST), February 11, 2004, Dell City

House Select Committee on Public School Finance-- 2:00pm, February 17, and 10:00am, February 18, 2004, E1.030

Insights from Government Insiders:

"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." -- Joe Beal, General Manager LCRA (volume 2 issue 2)

"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)

Info Corner: Important Bills from the 78th Legislature

HB 9-- HB 9 requires the Governor to develop a statewide homeland security strategy in an effort to provide more centralized communication and coordination. The Governor's homeland security strategy must complement and operate in coordination with the federal homeland security strategy, as well as coordinate homeland security activities among and between local, state, and federal agencies.

The strategy must include specific plans for:

• information sharing
• reducing the state's vulnerability to homeland security initiatives
• protecting critical infrastructure
• protecting the state's international border, ports, and airports
• detecting, deterring, and defending against terrorism, including cyber-terrorism and biological, chemical, and nuclear terrorism
• positioning equipment, technology, and personnel to improve the state's ability to respond to a homeland security emergency
• directing the Texas Infrastructure Protection Communications Center and giving the center certain forms of authority to implement the Governor's homeland security strategy
• using technological resources to: a) facilitate the interoperability of government technological resources, including data, networks, and applications; b) coordinate the warning and alert systems of state and local agencies; c) incorporate multi-disciplinary approaches to homeland security; and d) improve the security of the governmental and private sector information technology and information resources

The bill requires the Office of the Governor to allocate available federal and state grants and other homeland secuirty funding given to state and local agencies that perform homeland security activities, periodically review those grants for appropriateness and compliance and designate a single state agency to adminster all such grants and funding.

Environmental Chief Talks About New Laws, Grant Funding, Issues, Changes and Priorities

Margaret Hoffman, the Executive Director of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality(TCEQ), commented to Insider reporters on the agency's accomplishments of 2003 and its priorities for 2004.

The TCEQ had a successful legislative session and came away with added new duties. The agency has now initiated or completed rule making to implement about 120 pieces of legislation that passed during the regular and special sessions.

Air Quality: New legislation that is expected to attract a great deal of attention is the measure restoring funding to the Texas Emissions Reduction Plan (TERP), which is critical to bringing the state into compliance with federal air quality standards. With a new appropriation of more than $100 million for 2004, TERP projects will expand rapidly. To date, the agency has approved more than $18 million for 54 different projects around the state. The agency has issued Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for the 2004 money. The opportunity to tap into those funding sources closes on March 12th.

Waste Management: One very significant new environmental measure authorizes the TCEQ to issue one license under which two adjoining facilities can accept low-level radioactive waste for disposal.

Water: The TCEQ was also named to a newly created commission to study water for environmental flows. The 15-member commission will hold public hearings on the public policy implications of balancing the growing demands for water resources with the flow requirements of rivers and bay and estuary systems. The panel will issue a report by December 2004. In addition, the most recent legislation named the TCEQ to a task force to study water conservation implementation. The agency is also involved in several interim water committees, such as the Senate Select Committee on Water Policy and the Subcommittee on State Lease of Water.

Homeland Security: The TCEQ and 12 other state agencies are assigned to the new Critical Infrastructure Protection Council to advise the Governor on homeland security issues. The council will help the Governor prepare a strategy for protecting critical infrastructure throughout the state and for implementing homeland security measures through state and local agencies.

We believe that the state and nation are at environmental crossroads. We have made major progress in cleaning up the environmental mistakes of the past. However, we continue to face immense challenges, both in cleaning up and in preventing future pollution. Ozone attainment, impaired surface waters, threats to water supplies, nonpoint source water pollution and homeland security are the most pressing.

Ozone remains the #1 air pollution problem in the state. Air pollution is a public health threat to the citizens of Texas, and it is crucial to focus our efforts in counties that currently violate the 1-hour federal air quality standards. In the next few months the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA) will issue final designations of counties around the state that currently exceed the new 8-hour standard for ground-level ozone.

Water quality issues are critical to the future of our growing state. The most recent impaired waters list (2002) submitted to the EPA cited 404 water quality impairments in 299 of Texas' water bodies. The agency's comprehensive strategy to restore water quality, the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program, depends on developing and implementing successful programs at the local level with cooperation from many partners.

Water availability is a critical component of all future economic health and economic development. We are just beginning to implement the state water plan and must use every tool, from water conservation to developing new supplies. We must also ensure adequate freshwater inflows to maintain our fisheries and the ecological health of our coastal systems.

Yes, the general push toward privatization and outsourcing of the last few years is impacting the TCEQ. We are more likely to analyze and study the concept as we prepare fiscal notes for Bills during the session and to "think" outsourcing in general when we analyze ways to address resource needs. In fiscal year 2003, the TCEQ spent $17,383,493.50 for outsourced projects.

The TCEQ is highly committed to information exchange, because we realize that providing information makes our work more effective. We obtain valuable insight from the public and those we regulate and that allows us to develop appropriate rules and effective processes.

We use the Internet to make information available. We regularly post data on pending permits, commission agendas, advisory or stakeholder committee information and rule and regulatory guidance. This allows us to reach more people, more easily, and in a timely manner.

Communication and excellence -- functional excellence-- are my goals as Executive Director. We want to move the agency to functional excellence in our core activities, looking at what we do, and how we can do it better.

I also feel that our agency needs to concentrate on efficiency and on attracting and retaining the best possible talent. The best way to increase efficiency is to have well-trained, experienced staff who do their jobs well and within reasonable timeframes. This means making sure we provide the training, tools and resources needed.

TCEQ must retain the expertise that we have as well as mentor less experienced new staffers. We need to maintain a strong technical staff to ensure we provide the services the regulated community needs to operate and to provide the public with access to the regulatory process to promote public participation. This will be a tough challenge for us going forward.

We appreciate vendors who study our agency structure, history, procedures and resources prior to any meeting where the objective is to introduce us to a product or service. When a vendor has done the required homework, we know it and can work much more efficiently in our allotted time frames. We also appreciate when vendors attempt to assist us in meeting our Historically Underutilized Business goals. Troublesome behavior may include multiple calls, mass mailing, and shotgun approaches to various individuals inside the agency. We also appreciate vendors who are professional with our administrative staff.

Teacher Retirement System of Texas Board Meeting

The Teacher Retirement System (TRS) Board of Trustees convened on January 29 at 1:00pm and will continue meeting the morning of January 30. The board is reviewing investment matters.

Fourth Annual Purchasing and HUB Connection Forum

Sponsored by Teacher Retirement System and Texas Workforce Commission at 1000 Red River Street, Austin on February 11, 1:00pm to 4:00pm. For more information or to register, visit http://www.tbpc.state.tx.us/hub/eof/fy4_2.html.

Texas Association of State Systems for Computing and Communication: Vendor Advisory Group Meeting

Vendors Advisory Group meetings are open to all Associate Members. Each Associate Member is welcome to send a representative; however, only VAG members can vote. The next meeting is Friday, February 20, form 11:30am to 1:00pm, location to be determined. For more information, visit http://www.tasscc.org/vendors/meetings.html.

Annual Internet Security Forum for Texas Government

Hosted by Department of Information Resources and Texas Association of State Systems for Computing and Communications in Austin, on April 27. The program is currently under development. For more information and to register, visit http://www.dir.state.tx.us/education/conferences.htm.

Paul Hudson to Chair Public Utility Commission

Gov. Rick Perry announced the appointment of Paul Hudson of Austin to chair the Public Utility Commission (PUC). The three-member PUC oversees Texas' electric and telephone industries and is heavily involved with the deregulation process. Hudson replaces Rebecca Klein, who is running for Congress.

Hudson was originally appointed to the commission in August 2003 for a six-year term. Before his appointment, he served as Director of Policy in the Governor's office and was a Policy Director for Business and Regulatory Issues.

Before joining the Governor's staff in 2001, Hudson worked at the PUC as an advisor to a commissioner and a senior economic analyst. At the PUC, Hudson analyzed and helped develop public policy on a range of telecommunications issues, including utility market deregulation and development of competitive markets. Hudson's experience with the utility industry also includes serving on the National Governor's Association Task Force on Electric Infrastructure and the Western Governor's Association Working Group on Cross Border Energy Issues.

A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, where he was a National Merit Special Scholar, Hudson received a master's degree from Arizona State University.

Mayors' Conference Issues Homeland Security Funding Report

From their annual conference in Washington, DC, the US Conference of Mayors released the Second Mayors' Report to the Nation: Tracking Federal Homeland Security Funds Sent to 50 State Governments, a document that reviews the status of homeland security funding from a local perspective. Their first report was published in September of 2003 and the survey showed that the majority of cities had not received funding by the August 1 federal deadline, nor had they been notified that they would receive any funds at all. The second report, meant as a follow up to the previous one, finds that, while some additional cities have received FY 2003 funding, most still have not. Even though there have been increases in the number of cities funded between since the last report, over 75 percent of cities have yet to receive their Federal First Responder/Critical Infrastructure allotment, and two-thirds of cities had not seen any of the FY 2003 State Domestic Preparedness monies.

For the complete report, visit http://usmayors.org/72ndWinterMeeting/homelandreport_012204.pdf.