U.S., Mexico working to boost border trading
About 40 border states legislators from the United States and Mexico will lobby their federal counterparts to take on a $100 million project to boost trade on the border. The plan revolves around building manufacturing plants just on the other side of the border. The plant sites would be designated as "secure manufacturing zones," and would be monitored by officials on both sides of the border.
Sen. Eliot Shapleigh (pictured) of El Paso said the project would cost about $100 million, and he's hopeful to have the funding in six months. About 40 state senators and representatives from U.S. and Mexican border states recently voted to pitch the plan to federal lawmakers during the next three months.
"Our vision is a secure manufacturing zone along high priority corridors that uses intelligent transportation systems to cross people and products faster, safer and smarter," Shapleigh said at a recent border conference. "For us to compete in the global economy we must be the most secure and rapid manufacturing area in the world."
Senators to take another crack at school finance
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst still hasn't issued his interim charges for the Senate, but he has put together a Senate Select Committee on Education Reform and Public School Finance. The committee, made up of six Republicans and three Democrats, will get started working on ideas for a new school finance plan while lawmakers wait for Gov. Rick Perry to call another special session. Perry has already picked 24 people from outside the Capitol to study the tax structure and recommend changes.
Sen. Florence Shapiro (pictured) of Plano was named chair of Dewhurst's committee. The following senators were appointed members: Kip Averitt of McGregor; Kim Brimer of Fort Worth; Robert Duncan of Lubbock; Juan Hinojosa of McAllen; Eddie Lucio of Brownsville; Steve Ogden of Bryan; Royce West of Dallas and Tommy Williams of The Woodlands.
This fall the Texas Supreme Court ruled that the current method of school finance is unconstitutional because it amounts to a statewide property tax. The high court gave lawmakers until June 1 to debate plans to reduce property taxes in exchange for increases in other taxes.
Texas seeks federal aid for fire-ravaged areas
Gov. Rick Perry said Thursday that the state has applied for a federal declaration of disaster through the Federal Emergency Management Agency after devastating fires that have spread in recent days. The declaration, which would funnel federal funds to the areas hardest hit, must be approved by President Bush. Perry expressed confidence that Bush would sign the declaration.
With no rain in the forecast and dry, windy conditions expected, fire officials want Texans to think twice about shooting off fireworks to celebrate New Year's Eve. The state emergency operations center instituted its highest level of preparedness Thursday morning, and officials called upon other states for personnel and firefighting equipment. At least 156 Texas counties issued fire bans after blazes earlier in the week destroyed 100 homes and buildings across the state and killed at least three people.
Lens on State Government: Interesting Links
We end the year with a collection of interesting links. Enjoy!
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State pension fund continues to come up short
The $21 billion pension fund for state employees is struggling due to a rising number of retirees, a decreasing workforce and smaller-than-needed contributions. At the end of the state's fiscal year on Aug. 31, the Employees Retirement System of Texas had $1.1 billion less than it needs to pay the plan's promised benefits. The ERS has 290,000 active and retired members.
The shortfall, which is expected to double by 2010, means that retirees who haven't had an increase in benefits since 2001 won't see one for a while longer. The ERS's shortfall grew despite a 12.7 percent return on its investments in fiscal 2005. Like many pension funds, ERS is still recognizing losses from the bear market in 2001 and 2002.
Metroplex leaders anxious to expand SH 183
Leaders from cities along the State Highway 183 corridor in Tarrant County have begun meeting regularly together and with the Texas Department of Transportation to discuss the status of a plan to widen the congested road. Tarrant County Commissioner Glen Whitley (pictured) said business owners and government leaders are adamant about finding a cure to the congestion. North Richland Hills City Manager Larry Cunningham said the money is in place for the widening project, but the process to start construction has not yet begun. The planned improvements will extend 27 miles from I-35E in Dallas to I-35W in Fort Worth. The improvements will widen the six-lane freeway to 10 lanes, including two high-occupancy vehicle toll lanes.
Davio named director of TxDOT's VTR Division
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has announced the appointment of Rebecca Davio as the Director of the Vehicle Title and Registration Division, effective January 1. Davio fills the position held by Jerry Dike, who is now working as a senior consultant at Strategic Partnerships, Inc. Davio joined TxDOT with diverse experience in both the public and private sectors. She has served in various management and administrative capacities for the Texas Dept. of Commerce, Texas Dept. of Human Services and the city of Austin.
Lancaster ISD to seek $90M in bonds
The Lancaster school district near Dallas is preparing to ask voters to approve a $90 million bond issue in November. Voters authorized $110 million in a 2004 election, but city officials said the rising cost of construction due to natural disasters, higher energy costs and inflation are prompting the district to seek more money to complete projects and start new ones. For example, rising costs have lead to a 56 percent increase in renovation and expansion costs at Pleasant Run and West Main elementary schools in Lancaster.
1 in 3 hurricane evacuees likely to stay in Texas
Analysts are now predicting that as many as 150,000 hurricane evacuees from Louisiana are planting their roots in Texas - forecasting what could eventually be the most significant migration to the state since the energy boom of the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Economists say the influx is good, in an economic sense, but many state leaders are worried about the long-term costs associated with the evacuation. Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst estimates the costs to Texas governments at $1 billion, plus another $250 million to $550 million a year for ongoing care.
Magnolia seeks financing for water system
A resident-backed petition will force the city of Magnolia, north of Houston, to call a citywide election so voters can decide whether the city can sell about $3.5 million in certificates of obligation to pay for a new water system. City officials say the system is sorely needed, but many residents are balking at the prospect of having some taxes doubled if the city takes on the debt. Magnolia Mayor Jimmy Thornton (pictured) said the city council will likely call a special meeting to consider other financing options.
CJD funnels $522K to drug-fighting efforts
Gov. Rick Perry on Thursday announced the award of $522,283 to two programs dedicated to preventing and reducing drug abuse, dismantling drug trafficking organizations, locating and eliminating illegal drug laboratories, and reducing drug-related violent crime. The grants were awarded under the federal Byrne Formula Grant Program and are distributed by the Governor's Criminal Justice Division (CJD).
More than $152,000 was awarded to Caldwell County for a regional narcotics enforcement unit for Caldwell and Fayette counties that will investigate and enforce narcotics cases, conduct covert investigations of local drug trafficking operations, and provide training to local law enforcement in narcotics trafficking, anti-terrorism and missing children investigations. Another $369,861 is heading to the City of Paris for a regional narcotics enforcement task force to provide narcotics investigation expertise, assistance to local prosecutors in drug-related cases, and additional support to all local, state, or federal law enforcement agencies in Delta, Fannin, Franklin, Hopkins, and Lamar counties.
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