TDCJ General Counsel Leaving to Head OCA

Carl Reynolds, the longtime general counsel at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), is leaving to become director of the Office of Court Administration (OCA), the state agency that provides administrative support and technical assistance to all the courts of Texas. He will begin his new job April 25.

Reynolds has been general counsel at TDCJ since 1997. As general counsel, he oversees a legal office which provides litigation support and services to a department of 40,000 employees. Reynolds was general counsel for the Texas Board of Criminal Justice from 1993 to 1997, executive director of the Texas Punishment Standards Commission from 1991 through 1993 and worked as staff director of the Senate Redistricting Committee in 1991. He also served as general counsel to the Senate Criminal Justice Committee after a year in private practice.

Possible Finalist Emerges in DISD Superintendent Search

Michael Hinojosa, superintendent of the 28,000-student Spring Independent School District north of Houston, has emerged as a potential leading candidate to take over as superintendent of the Dallas Independent School District, which has 219 schools, nearly 20,000 employees and a budget that tops $1 billion. DISD trustees have remained mostly silent regarding their top picks for the job. Some Dallas trustees have said they are impressed by Hinojosa's credentials. He was named 2002 Texas Superintendent of the Year by the Texas Association of School Boards, and he's president of the Texas Association of School Administrators.

Three Named to Texas Tech Board of Regents

Gov. Rick Perry has appointed Mark Griffin, Dan T. Serna and Larry Anders to the Texas Tech University System Board of Regents for terms to expire Jan. 31, 2011. These appointments are subject to senate confirmation.

Griffin is president and general counsel for Rip Griffin Truck Service Center, L.P., and serves as president of Pro Petroleum, Inc. Griffin also serves as a director of Covenant Health System. He is president of the Lubbock Independent School District Board of Trustees and a director of Plains Capital Corporation.

Serna is president and founder of Serna & Company, P.C. He is a former member of the Texas Public Finance Authority (TPFA). Previous to his service on the TPFA, Serna was a delegate to the 1995 White House Conference on Small Business. He served two terms on the Arlington City Council and currently serves on the board of the Arlington Ethics Commission, the Tarrant County Hospital District, the Arlington Chamber Foundation Board and the Arlington Library Foundation Board.

Anders is chairman and CEO of Summit Alliance Companies. He serves on the board of the Texas Tech University Rawls College of Business, the Texas Tech Red Raider Club and the Dallas Red Raider Club. He also is a member of the Texas Tech Chancellor's Council and the Texas Tech Alumni Century Club.

Shortfall in TRS Fund Now $11 Billion

The Teacher Retirement System of Texas has $11 billion less than it needs to pay the plan's promised benefits, according to a report the system released this morning. The gap has grown by $3 billion in the past 6 months. The $91.4 billion pension fund is the 12th-largest in the world and pays retirement benefits and health care for nearly 1.2 million retired and active teachers.

TARC ED Announces Retirement

Jim Ray, Executive Director of the Texas Association of Regional Councils (TARC), has announced he'll retire September 30 after twenty-eight years of service. The association has begun a search for Ray's replacement. For a detailed job description and information on how to apply for the job, click here.

TWDB Approves $42 Million For Water-Related Projects

The Texas Water Development Board (TWDB) has approved financial assistance totaling $42,086,000 for communities around Texas. Some of the projects receiving funding are:

• $17,460,000 to finance improvements to the water system for the City of Alpine and the City of Marlin;
• $14,665,000 to finance improvements to the wastewater system for the City of El Paso and for the City of Palestine; and
• $2,255,000 to finance improvements to the wastewater system for the City of Marlin.

The TWDB is the state agency charged with collecting and disseminating water-related data, assisting with regional planning, preparing the State Water Plan for the development of the state's water resources, and administering cost-effective financial programs for the construction of water supply, wastewater treatment, flood control and agricultural water conservation projects.

Senate Passes Finance Bill

The Senate unanimously passed the general appropriations bill, Senate Bill 1, yesterday. The bill calls for $139 billion to fund all state services and agencies. Nearly 80 percent of the budget goes to pay for health and human services and fund public education. SB1 would increase the education budget in the state by some $1.8 billion, with an additional $836 million going to fund state colleges and universities. The budget now goes to the House for consideration. After the House passes an appropriations bill, members of both chambers will come together in a conference committee to hammer out the differences.

Montgomery County Gets $1.48 Million Grant for Electronic Voting Machines

Secretary of State Roger Williams presented Montgomery County with $1.48 million this week to help cover costs associated with complying with the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). The act requires every precinct in America to have a minimum of one electronic voting machine by January 2006. The Secretary of State's Office is creating a Texas grant program to cover costs associated with HAVA.

State, Union Pacific to Work Together on Rail Relocation Effort

Texas and Union Pacific have agreed to work together to move freight rail out of densely populated urban areas across the state, according to the Governor's office. This is the first time any state has partnered with a private rail company to consolidate, improve and relocate existing freight rail lines away from population centers. Funding and specific projects have not yet been determined.

Lens on the Legislature: Half Time

As noted in the January 14th Lens on the Legislature, the Texas Constitution limits each regular session to 140 days.

Monday of this week was the 70th day of the 79th regular session and therefore marked the end the first half of the session. Let's take a moment to see how the session is going.

3484 bills and 1072 resolutions were filed in the House. Because of the 60 day rule discussed in the March 11th column, relatively few additional bills would be expected for the remainder of the session. Of the bills filed in the first half, 192 received favorable committee votes and 27 of those went on to engrossment. [The process of engrossment was discussed in the March 18th column.]

1787 bills and 500 resolutions were filed in the Senate in the first half. Of the bills, 152 received favorable committee votes and 45 of those went on to engrossment.

Only 1 joint resolution was approved by its originating chamber during the first half: Sen. John Corona's SJR7 proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing line-of-credit advances under a reverse mortgage. [Resolutions were discussed in the March 4th column.]

No bills or joint resolutions have yet been approved by both houses. 43 concurrent resolutions, all ceremonial in nature, passed both houses in the first half and 35 of those were signed by the governor.

Each house has engrossed pretty substantial measures and passed them to the other chamber. The House, for example, passed HB2 (Public Education and Public School Finance) and HB3 (Property Tax Relief and other Tax Matters). The Senate passed SB5 (Workers' Compensation) and SB6 (Protective Services).

There were also some notable absences. For example, a major Water bill has been expected to be introduced as SB3, but has yet to appear.

Next week's Lens on the Legislature will focus on the process that begins when the 2nd legislative chamber receives an engrossed bill from the originating chamber. Bills that successfully make it through that process are then enrolled. Enrollment is similar to engrossment in that it is the careful preparation of the bill in its final form. In the case of enrollment, however, this occurs after both houses have passed the bill in identical form and the enrolled version is prepared for the signatures of the presiding officers of both houses. Enrollment and engrossment each occur only once for any bill.

DHS Awards Fire Departments $3,263,386

Twenty-one Texas fire departments have received grants totaling $3,263,386 during March from the 2004 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The grants will ultimately total approximately 8,000 awards worth nearly $750 million in direct assistance to firefighters throughout the country.

Grant recipients include:

• Austin Fire Department: $302,205 for Wellness and Fitness Programs;
• Dallas Fire & Rescue Department: 245,000 for firefighting vehicles; and
• City of Waco Fire Department: $198,023 for equipment.

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program assists rural, urban and suburban fire departments throughout the United States. These funds increase the effectiveness of firefighting operations, firefighter health and safety programs, new fire apparatus, emergency medical service programs, and fire prevention and safety programs in local departments.

Strategic Partnerships, Inc. (SPI) is a research and consulting firm offering business development and public affairs services. Founded in 1994, SPI has offices in Texas and California. To learn more about SPI services click here or contact Crystal Kuhs at 512-531-3900.

Focus on SPI Consultants

Dallas Richard joined SPI after working in the City of Austin's Planning Department. As a Case Manager, he served as city liaison to members of the City's development community and worked to oversee subdivision and zoning applications through the review and approval process to ensure compliance with the City of Austin's detailed land development code. Dallas has an additional four years of experience working in state government, including positions with the State Bar of Texas and the Texas Senate. To read Dallas' full bio, click here.

New Reports

The Texas Legislative Council has just published Fee Provisions in Texas Statutes and Appropriations Riders, a 123-page compendium of fees and their related authorizing laws.

The Office of Homeland Security has issued a Report to the Governor on Texas Hurricane Preparedness.

House OKs Telecommunications Bill

The Texas House of Representatives approved HB 789 this week. Under the bill, Texas' largest telephone companies could set their own local rates if the service is bundled with other products, such as long distance. In approving the bill, the House also adopted an amendment that repealed a fee that is passed on to telephone customers that raised $250 million a year for technology projects. The bill now goes to the Senate.

Event Links

25th Annual Association of Texas Professional Educators State Conference - 3/31/05 - 4/2/05

2005 Greater Austin-San Antonio Corridor Council NanoBioTech Summit - 4/1/05

Texas Library Association Annual Conference - 4/5/05 - 4/8/05

5th Annual Internet Security Forum for Texas State Government - 4/13/05

Texas Public Health Association's 80th Annual Education Conference - 04/24/05 - 04/26/05

24th Annual Texas Conference on Aging - 4/24/05 - 4/27/05

Texas Association of Secondary School Principals Summer Workshop - 6/8/05 - 6/10/05

TASB Summer Leadership Institute - 06/23/05 - 06/24/05

Government Finance Officers Association 99th Annual Conference - 6/26/05 - 6/29/05

8th Annual Texas Transportation Summit - 8/9/05 - 8/12/05

SPI Offers Clients Full Range of Service Offerings

When Strategic Partnerships, Inc. (SPI) was launched almost 11 years ago, there was only one service plan for clients. As SPI has expanded and grown, it has increased its service offerings. The company now offers clients a full range of service offerings instead of just a "one size fits all" service. Clients can now choose from services ranging from new business lead-generation to specific engagement contracts to multi-state representation. For more details on how SPI can assist you with growing your company's public-sector market share, contact Crystal Kuhs at ckuhs@spartnerships.com.

Past ABJ articles by Mary Scott Nabers

Tiny radio tags could create plenty of big contract chances - 2/25/2005

Government construction contracts could yield millions for businesses - 2/11/2005

Texas Government Insider Archives

Last Issue - 3/18/05

Volume 1, Volume 2 and Volume 3 Archives - 11/7/03 - 3/11/05

Resources

Child Protective Services Reform Overview

Budget and Performance Assessments: State Agencies and Institutions, Fiscal Year 2004

Legislative Budget Board's Contracts Reported by Texas State Agencies and Institutions of Higher Education in 2004

Legislative Workforce Summaries

TxDOT's 2006 Project Selection Process

Resources for Electronic Government

Diagram of Legislative Process

HUB Forms Library

State Contract Management Guide

State Procurement Manual

TBPC Facilities Master Plan

Who Represents Me? Texas Districts By Address

Diagram of Texas' Biennial Budget Cycle

Texas Fact Book 2004

Public Hearings/Meetings

Upcoming Senate Committee Meetings

Upcoming House Committee Meetings

Subscribe to the Texas Government Insider™

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OAG Hub Forum

The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) will hold a Hub Forum on April 26 from 1:00pm - 4:00pm. Participants will find out what Information Technology, service related and other procurement opportunities will be coming up for FY05-06 at the Attorney General's Office. They will also meet the purchasers and new purchasing director and learn about planned projects. The forum will be held at the William Clements Building, 300 W. 15th Street, Austin. For more information, contact Mindy Sue Cohen at 512-475-4411 or mindy.cohen@oag.state.tx.us.

Texas Round-Up

The Texas Round-Up is a statewide effort to encourage Texans of all fitness levels to incorporate daily physical activity and healthy choices into their lives. On Saturday, April 30th, a 10-K Run/Walk and Health & Fitness Expo will be held in downtown Austin. For more information, visit: www.texasroundup.org.

Texas Citizen Corps Conference

The Harris County Citizen Corps is hosting the Texas Citizen Corps Conference May 31 - June 2 at the Hyatt Regency in Houston. The conference is open to anyone interested in the Citizen Corps Program, including regional councils of governments, local, state and federal agencies, volunteers, emergency management professionals, and any other interested parties. For more information or to register, click here.

Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association Summer Conference

The Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association Summer Conference will take place June 8 - 10 in Austin. Topics to be discussed include: Tools for the Instructional Leader: Managing Data and Leading People and Effective Documentation and Conferencing Skills: What it Takes to Be Successful. For more information, click here.

GFOA 99th Annual Conference

The Government Finance Officers Association 99th Annual Conference will be held June 26 - 29 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio. Seminars will be held on topics such as How to Develop an Effective Fiscal Monitoring System and Back to School: Accounting and Financial Reporting for School Districts.