Small Businesses Benefit from Public Utility Commission's Decision

The Public Utility Commission approved a request that will enable TXU, CPL Retail Energy and WTU Retail Energy to lower their rates for small business customers in the companies' respective service areas. The companies have met a requirement of the 2002 electric deregulation law that mandated utility companies cut their rates and lock them in for three years or until at least forty percent of their customers could be served by another company. Through this provision, lawmakers hoped to prevent any price gouging that could have resulted from deregulation in areas where one company held a monopoly on the market. The threshold of forty percent sought to insure that sufficient competition existed before rate regulations were completely lifted.

Because the industry has shown rapid growth since the legislation was passed, the companies now have the requisite competition in forty percent of their service areas. Because of the PUC's decision, Dallas-based TXU can lower rates for small business customers in North Texas, CPL Retail Energy can reduce rates for South Texas small business as well, and West Texas small businesses can benefit from reduced rates from WTU Retail Energy.

Military Preparedness Commission Will Visit Bases in Preparation for 2005 Federal Base Review

Members of the Texas Military Preparedness Commission (TMPC) will visit all 18 major military installations in Texas over the next three months. The visits are part of the state's aggressive efforts to prepare for the federal government's Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process. The U.S. Department of Defense has announced that up to 25 percent of U.S. military bases could be closed and realigned during the 2005 BRAC process.

Through the visits, the TMPC hopes to gain information about the military bases and the defense communities and to explain to local officials the steps the state has taken to help with the BRAC process. TMPC Executive Director Mike Smith and members of Gov. Perry's staff made the first of these visits to Fort Bliss in El Paso earlier this month.

The TMPC, which is part of the Governor's Office, was created by Senate Bill 652 in order to advise the governor and the legislature on ways to strengthen the position of Texas military bases in preparation for the BRAC and on other defense-related issues. The nine-member commission also will provide defense communities assistance in developing strategic economic development plans. Additionally, Texas voters this year approved a constitutional amendment authorizing $250 million in general obligation bonds, which can be used by defense communities seeking to complete economic development projects and infrastructure projects designed to enhance the value of federally owned installations.

Hensel Phelps and City of Austin Discuss Airport Security Contract

The Colorado-based Hensel Phelps Construction Co. is the frontrunner for the Austin Bergstrom International Airport's security screening upgrade. The City of Austin has been negotiating the $14.5 million deal with Hensel Phelps, the preferred bidder out of the 11 construction firms that bid on the project. The security upgrade includes redesigning the airport's luggage conveyor system in accord with the Transportation Security Administration' new safety guidelines. The City selected Turner Construction Co. of Houston as the alternate in the event that negotiations with Hensel Phelps are not successful.

TEXAS SHORTS:

TEA Says No to Charter School's Online Courses Proposal

The Texas Education Agency refused a request by Eagle Academies of Texas to offer online classes to Texas students. The charter school's proposal promised online education for any student in any county in Texas that desired it, with the potential of increasing Eagle Academies' enrollment by 3000. While Eagle Academies claimed that the online program would be helpful for students at rural schools with limited curriculum options or students who needed a flexible schedule, critics claimed that the online program would take money away from critical public school funds. This year, three attempts to establish virtual charter schools in Texas were defeated in the Texas Legislature's last session.

Houston Tightens Up Port Security

After an undercover investigation by the Houston Chronicle demonstrated gaps in Port of Houston security, authorities have reviewed security procedures and have reassured the public of the port's safety. Harris County Judge Robert Eckels, who, along with four members of the Harris County Commissioners Court, is responsible for appointing 2 members to the Port Authority's commission, received a call from Jay Kimbrough, Texas Homeland Security Chief, last week in reference to the security breach. Eckels since explained to the public that the port authority has been reminded of the importance of following security protocols and have set up measures to ensure employees are following proper safety procedures.

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.

Event Links

Texas Higher Education Human Resources Association, Winter Conference - 01/11/04-01/13/04

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

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

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

HHSC Commissioner Announces Four New Department Heads

Health and Human Services Commissioner Albert Hawkins selected four experienced state leaders to direct the new departments being created under the transformation of the state's health and human services system. Terry Murphy will serve as commissioner of the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services; Dr. Eduardo J. Sanchez will lead the Department of State Health Services; Jim Hine will head the Department of Aging and Disability Services; and Thomas Chapmond will serve as commissioner of the Department of Family and Protective Services.

H.B. 2292 mandated a fundamental transformation of health and human services in Texas by consolidating the 12 existing agencies into four new departments under the oversight of the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). As commissioner of the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, Murphy will manage the consolidation of programs currently provided by the Texas Rehabilitation Commission, the Commission for the Blind, the Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and the Interagency Council on Early Childhood Intervention. He joined the Commission for the Blind in 1972 and has served as the agency's executive director since 1997. He is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin.

Dr. Sanchez has served as commissioner of the Texas Department of Health (TDH) since 2001. As commissioner of State Health Services, he will direct the programs currently provided by TDH, the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, the Health Care Information Council, and mental health community services and state hospital programs operated by the Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation. Dr. Sanchez has a medical degree from Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, a master's in public health from the San Antonio Branch of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, and a master's in biomedical engineering from Duke University. He has bachelor's degrees in biomedical engineering and chemistry from Boston University.

Hine, who has served as commissioner of the Texas Department of Human Services since 2001, will direct mental retardation and state school programs, community care and nursing home services programs, and aging services programs as commissioner of the Department of Aging and Disability Services. Hine also has served as executive director of the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services. He is a graduate of Texas Lutheran College and is a certified public accountant.

Chapmond has served as executive director of the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services (PRS) since 2001. Under H.B. 2292, PRS becomes the Department of Family and Protective Services. Chapmond is a graduate of Texas Tech University.

The new commissioners will assume a lead role in developing the structure of the new departments. The Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services and the Department of Family and Protective Services are scheduled to begin consolidated operations in early 2004. State Health Services and Aging and Disability Services will begin consolidated operations later in 2004.

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

Texas Government Insider Archives

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

State of the Oil and Gas Industry

The Texas Railroad Commission has scheduled a State of the Oil and Gas Industry Meeting for January 28th, 2004, in the William B Travis Building from 1:30 to 2:00 PM. The meeting, which is open to the public, will feature remarks by the three Commissioners as well as presentations from invited guests. Governor Perry will open the session discussing the newly created Texas Energy Planning Council. Other elected officials as well as former Railroad Commissioners and individuals from the industry have been invited to address the audience.

4th Annual Purchasing and HUB Connection Forum

Sponsored by the Teacher Retirement System and Texas Workforce Commission at 1000 Red River St., Austin, on February 11, 2004. The conference will brief HUBs on changes in purchasing practices, and enable HUB owners to meet others and discuss strategies. For information and registration, email Debbie.Pina@trs.state.tx.us.

Austin Mobility Roundtable 2004: The Future is Unwired

Hosted by Intel, SBC and the McCombs School of Busines, in Austin on March 11-12. The Roundtable is an opportunity to parcipate in discussions with researchers and business leaders on the latest innovations in mobile technologies and analysis of their business applications. For more information, visit http://www.mccombs.utexs.edu/events/roundtable/.

Resources

New Texas Fact Book 2004

Texas International Economic Development Fact Sheet

Fred Gilliam to Serve on Public Transportation Advisory Committee

The president and CEO of the Capital Metropolitan Transit Authority, Fred Gilliam, will join the Texas Transportation Commission's Public Transportation Advisory Committee. The Committee advises on various issues pertaining to public transportation including any statewide public transportation efforts.

Gilliam, with Cap Metro since 2001, became president and CEO of the organization in April 2002. He has spent 40 years in the transportation industry. He also serves on a number of committees, including the American Public Transportation Association.

Department of Homeland Security Announces $173.5 Million in Grants to States; $9 Million for Texas

The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced the allocation of $173.5 million in grants to help state and local governments better prepare to respond to all hazards and enhance preparedness activities and emergency management. The Emergency Management Performance Grants (EMPG's) program supports emergency management of state and local responses to terrorist attacks, man-made incident or natural disaster. FEMA has allocated $9 million to Texas, out of the $173 million dedicated to state and local governments nationwide. It is an increase of $400,000 from last year's allocation.

The Department of Homeland Security EMPG program supports comprehensive emergency management at the State and local levels and encourages the improvement of mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery capabilities for all hazards. Funds provided under the EMPG may, and should, be used to support activities that contribute to capability to prevent, to prepare for, and to recover from natural and man-made disasters. EMPG's provide states the flexibility to allocate funds according to risk vulnerabilities and to address the most urgent state and local needs in disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.