Margaret Hoffman Resigns as TCEQ Executive Director

Margaret Hoffman

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) Chairman Kathleen Hartnett White this week announced the resignation of Margaret Hoffman as executive director of the agency.

Ms. Hoffman began her career as a staff attorney with the Texas Water Commission in 1990. Before becoming Executive Director in 2002, she was promoted to Senior Attorney for water, Division Director for the Environmental Law Division and Deputy Director for the Office of Legal Services.

Chairman White said, "I personally want to express my appreciation for Margaret's dedication to the TCEQ and the citizens of Texas. She has been an important part of many of this agency's biggest achievements during her career here. Her expertise and devotion will be greatly missed."

Ms. Hoffman will remain at the TCEQ as long as necessary to allow the commission to make a smooth transition.

Prior to joining the Texas Water Commission, Ms. Hoffman practiced commercial litigation in Corpus Christi. She is a member of the State Bar of Texas, and holds a J.D. from St. Mary's University Law School, and an L.L.M. in environmental law from the University of Houston Law School.


TWC Contests Veteran Fund Cuts

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is battling an attempt by the U.S. Department of Labor to withdraw almost $1 million in obligations for Texas veterans' workforce assistance. The Labor Department's Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS) told TWC it plans to cut $998,429 from an $11 million program grant. TWC has planned to use the money for services such as subsidizing employment for disabled veterans. TWC says it will explore legal tactics to ensure funding is not cut.


No Interest in State Wind Power Leases

The General Land Office received no bids to lease state land for wind turbines and wind power harvesting, Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson said this week. He blames the dirth of interest in Texas wind power on the lack of a federal subsidy, which had buoyed development of the alternative energy source in the past. Late last year amidst contention over federal energy legislation, Congress failed to renew the federal tax credit that made pursuing wind energy a more attractive, and rewarding business. This failure to renew has thrown the entire wind power industry into a stand still. The tax credit was created in 1992, leading to a decade-long national boom in the industry. A 1999 state law, which required Texas to increase the number of sustainable power sources in its energy cache, further fomented a growth in wind power. In 2001, Texas greatly increased its wind power capacity, adding 912 megawatts to its production, more than had ever been added in a single year nationally.

Despite the absence of offers on the 54,300 acres the state set aside for harvesting wind energy, Commissioner Patterson believes that wind power will become a valuable revenue stream for Texas and Texas' schools (money earned off of state land moves directly into the state's fund for public education). Although some industry executives doubt that Congress will renew wind energy subsidies this year, the commissioner intends to open the 89 tracts of land in West Texas up to bid in the second half of the year when the tax credit is in place again.


Perry Praised for Economic Growth

Gov. Rick Perry received a No. 1 ranking on Southern Business and Development magazine's latest list of people who positively impact economic development in the South. The magazine praised Perry for giving high priority to job growth and the economy, which previously had been in a "death dive" according to the magazine. In 1997, Texas received 1,320 points, an all-time high, in the magazine's criteria system for biggest corporate and industrial deals. In 2002, that number fell to 355 points. Preliminary figures show that Texas has stopped a six-year slide in points in the annual ranking. The magazine cited Toyota Corp.'s decision to locate its largest pickup truck assembly plant in San Antonio and Texas Instruments Inc.'s plan to build the first new semiconductor plants in the South since 1996 as signs that the Texas economy is improving.


Toll Road Proposed to Speed Dallas-Fort Worth Travel

Peter Kiewit Sons of Omaha wants to build toll lanes in the median of Northeast Loop 820 and Airport Freeway to speed travel and alleviate congestion on the roads connecting Fort Worth and Dallas. Because of a recent amendment to state law which invites private companies to design and suggest their own road solutions, the contractors will present their proposal to the Texas Transportation Commission on April 29. If the Commission approves the project, it will open it up for bids by other contractors, and work on the roads could start as early as next year and be complete by 2008.

Kiewit, which has teamed with Fort Worth-based Carter & Burgess to pitch the plan, builds its case for toll roads on the concept of "managed lanes." Through the "managed lane" system up to four lanes would be fully automated without toll plazas, only TollTag readers that would automatically deduct money from drivers. The toll charge would increase or decrease based on the traffic in the toll lanes, with the main goal being to control and limit the amount of traffic on the tollway so that cars would be able to move at maximum speed.

Recently, the Texas Transportation Commission has encouraged the construction of toll roads to alleviate traffic congestion in a timely fashion. Instead of cities delaying construction in order to accumulate the revenue, toll roads guarantee a ready source of income with which to pay off any loans or debts incurred during construction.


Dallas Educator to Head ACC

Robert Aguero, vice chancellor of educational affairs for the Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD), has been selected as the new president of Austin Community College (ACC). The vacancy was created by the departure of Richard Fonté, who accepted a White House appointment with the National Endowment for the Humanities in Washington, DC earlier this year. Aguero and the ACC Board of Trustees will begin negotiations to discuss details of his employment, including pay. Aguero is currently second-in-command for DCCCD's seven Dallas-area campuses and their 150,000 students. He is expected to begin at ACC in the next few months.


Houston METRO Board Chooses New President & CEO

The Board of Directors of METRO, Houston's public transit system, chose Frank J. Wilson to become the Authority's new President & CEO. Wilson, 55, will take over May 3 from Shirley A. DeLibero, who is retiring after 5 ˝ years at the agency's helm.

Wilson is a veteran of the transit industry with more than 30 years' experience in both the public and private sectors. He is currently president of AECOM Enterprises, an international engineering and construction management consulting firm. He has served as Transportation Commissioner for the State of New Jersey, General Manager of the Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) in San Francisco and deputy director of mass transit systems in both Philadelphia and Chicago.

Wilson will lead METRO as it embarks on a $7.5 billion expansion of its transit system. The METRO Solutions Plan, which voters approved last November, calls for 64 additional miles of light rail, eight miles of commuter line, a 50-percent increase in bus service, nine new Park & Rides and nine new transit centers.

City of Austin Implements Hiring Freeze

A hiring freeze has been implemented by the City of Austin as it formalizes a plan to address an estimated $19 million deficit for the 2004-2005 budget. All personnel forms processed after April 16 are on hold, according to City Budget Officer Rudy Garza. Safety employees such as 911 dispatchers, medical professionals and lifeguards and seasonal employees who will be hired for summer park programs are exempt from the freeze. The 3.5 percent pay increase for the city's existing workforce budgeted by City Manager Toby Futrell will still remain in effect. This is the first pay raise for city employees in two years. Over 600 positions have been eliminated in the last two years in response to large budget deficits.


Texas Growth Fund to Receive $1.08 Million Settlement

The Texas Growth Fund has been awarded $1.08 million in a settlement of bankruptcy and state fraud cases stemming from its acquisition of Consolidated Equipment in 1999. The state-created fund, which invests money from state employee pension fund, will receive about 7 cents on the dollar from the settlement. The fund invested $15 million in the construction equipment company.


Comprehensive Homeland Security Expenditures

If you have ever wondered about what local governments spend their homeland security funds on, SPI has the answer. SPI clients can now access over 5,000 pages detailing a comprehensive account of homeland security equipment spending organized by city and county. To access this information, login to our research page at click here.


Two Auto Insurers to Refund Over $700,000 to More Than 2,000 Texans

Consumers County Mutual Insurance Co. and Home State County Mutual Insurance Co. will refund more than $700,000 to Texas automobile policyholders who spent more on auto repair claims than their policies required. County Mutual will give 142 policyholders refunds totaling $19,000 while Home State will pay nearly $680,000 to about 2,000 policyholders, according to the terms of a settlement reached with Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott. The companies engaged in an unlawful practice known as "betterment," in which they claimed the value of a vehicle was increased due to the use of newer or better parts for repairs. The companies then charged the amount of the value increase to policyholders. Since 2000, the Texas Attorney General's Office has obtained "betterment" settlements from a number of insurance companies for an estimated total of $12.4 in refunds.


Event Links

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

4th Annual Internet Security Forum for Texas State Government - 4/27/04

TASSCC 3rd Annual Technology Education Conference - 4/28/04

All-Rural Texas Summitt - 4/27/04 - 4/28/04

SALSA Presents BioDefense Summit III - 4/29/04 - 4/30/04

TexMed 2004: Educational Showcase & Expo - 5/13/04 - 5/15/04

Texas State Agency Business Administrator's Association 24th Annual Conference - 6/7/04 - 6/9/04

Identity Crime Regional TrainingVarious Dates

EDA National Economic Development Conference - 6/8/04 - 6/10/04

2004 Workforce and Economic Development Conference - 6/23/04 - 6/24/04

NCSL Annual Meeting: The New Legislative Reality - 7/19/04 - 7/23/04

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


WIN BUSINESS WITH TEXAS GOVERNMENT

SPI has a dedicated Information Services (IS) Division that researches governmental entities and analyzes data for future and current business opportunities. Our team studies and reviews strategic plans, legislative appropriations requests, appropriations bills, and budgets to identify potential business projects. IS provides these key services and products:

  • Future Opportunity Analysis - email notification of new opportunities as they are discovered and updates to opportunities as new information becomes available


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Please contact SPI's Crystal Kuhs at ckuhs@spartnerships.com for more details.


Past ABJ articles by Mary Scott Nabers

Opportunities taking off at airports around Texas - 4/19/2004

It pays to be schooled about education projects - 3/22/2004

Health care arena filled with outsourcing deals - 2/23/2004

River authorities pumping opportunity in Texas - 2/02/2004


Texas Government Insider Archives

Volume 2 Issue 15 - 4/16/04

Volume 2 Issue 14 - 4/8/04

Volume 2 Issue 13 - 4/1/04

Volume 2 Issue 12 - 3/25/04

Volume 1 and Volume 2 Archives 11/7/03 - 2/27/04


News from Strategic Partnerships, Inc.

Legislative Communications Conference

Invitations have been extended to speakers for this important conference that will be held on October 7th at UT's JJ Pickle Center in Austin. The conference is sponsored jointly by SPI and UT's LBJ School of Public Affairs. As the agenda becomes firm and speakers confirmed, details will be available at SPI's website.


Resources

NASBO Fiscal Survey of the States

Fiscal Year 2003 Quality Assurance Team's Annual Report

New Texas Fact Book 2004

Joint Select Committee's Report on Public School Finance, March 17, 2004

Texas Public Policy Foundation's Policy Paper on Public School Finance

Center for Public Policy Priorities' Finding a School Finance Solution


Public Hearings

Senate Committee on Finance-- 1:00pm, April 26 and 9:00am, April 27, 2004, E1.036

House Committee on Regulated Industries-- 1:00pm, April 26, 2004, E2.010

Deputies Selected for New Health and Human Services Agencies

Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Albert Hawkins announced yesterday the selection of two key executives for the new departments being created in a transformation of the state's health and human services system.

Dr. Dave Wanser will be deputy commissioner of behavioral and community health at the Department of State Health Services, and Adelaide (Addie) Horn will serve as deputy commissioner for the Department of Aging and Disability Services.

Wanser has served as the executive director of the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse since 2001 and is chair of the statewide Drug Demand Reduction Advisory Committee. He also spent 14 years at the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, where he was director of the NorthSTAR Behavioral Health Program and director of behavioral health services. Wanser is first vice-president of the Board of Directors of the National Association of State Substance Abuse Directors. He received his Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Oklahoma.

Horn currently is director of Long-Term Care Services and Supports for the Health and Human Service Commission (HHSC), where she is responsible for long-term care policy analysis and coordination. She has almost three decades of experience in institutional and community-care services, direct-care services, quality assurance and improvement, regulatory programs, vocational rehabilitation, Medicaid services and policy development and coordination. She earned a degree in education from St. Edward's University.

House Bill 2292 from the 78th Texas Legislature mandated a fundamental transformation of health and human services in Texas by consolidating 12 existing agencies into four departments under the oversight of HHSC. The departments of State Health Services and Aging and Disability Services will begin consolidated operations on Sept. 1. The Department of Family and Protective Services launched Feb. 1, and the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services began March 1.

TASSCC 3rd Annual Technology Education Conference

TASSCC will hold its 3rd Annual Technology Education Conference at the J.J. Pickle Research Campus--Commons Center in Austin on April 28. Registration for this conference concludes today. Visit http://www.tasscc.orgto register.

Identity Crime Regional Training

The Office of the Attorney General will host multiple training sessions on Identity Theft throughout June. This 4-hour workshop is an overview of identity-related crimes. It will provide information to members of the law enforcement community regarding updated Texas identity theft laws, as well as practical tools and resources to combat this crime. While registration is free, enrollment is limited and you must be pre-registered to attend. Workshops will be held throughout the state in Tyler (May 4), Amarillo (May 18), McAllen (June 8 and 9), and El Paso (June 16). For more information, visit http://www.oag.state.tx.us/agency/conferences.shtml.

Gov. Perry Appoints Smitherman to Public Utility Commission

Gov. Perry has announced the appointment of Barry T. Smitherman of Houston to the Public Utility Commission (PUC). The three-member PUC encourages competition and customer choice in Texas while ensuring electric and telephone operations, services and rates are fair and reasonable.

Smitherman has served as a Harris County assistant district attorney since Jan. 2003. Prior to joining the district attorney's office, Smitherman amassed 16 years of experience as a public finance investment banker, including positions as head of J.P. Morgan's Houston office and managing director and national head of tax-exempt origination at BancOne Capital Markets in Chicago. He is a former adjunct professor of public administration at the University of St. Thomas in Houston.

A summa cum laude graduate of Texas A&M University, Smitherman received his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law. He received a master's in public administration from Harvard University, where he received the John F. Kennedy School of Government's first Joel Leff Fellowship in Political Economy. This appointment requires Senate confirmation.


Hightower to Serve on Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles

Gov. Perry today announced the appointment of Elvis Hightower of Georgetown to the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. The board is responsible for making parole decisions for Texas prison inmates and recommending the resolution of clemency matters to the governor.

Hightower is a disability examiner trainee for the Texas Rehabilitation Commission. He has served as a warden for the past 11 years. Hightower received a bachelor's degree from Sam Houston State University. His term expires Feb. 1, 2007. This appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.


Two to Join Texas Ethics Commission

Gov. Perry announced the appointment of David Montagne of Orange and Tom Harrison of Austin to the Texas Ethics Commission. The commission is responsible for administering and enforcing laws concerning political contributions and expenditures, political advertising, lobbyist activities and the conduct of state officers and employees.

Montagne is assistant general manager for the Sabine River Authority. He serves as a delegate to the Western States Water Council and is a former executive board member of Orange County Red Cross. Montagne serves on the board of trustees of the Texas Water Conservation Association Risk Management Fund and is a member of Orange Rotary Club. He received a bachelor's degree from Lamar University. His term will expire Nov. 19, 2005.

Harrison is director of legal and governmental relations for Texas County and District Retirement System. He is a member of the State Bar of Texas, the Council on Governmental Ethics Laws and the National Association of State Election Directors. He received a bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University, a master's degree from the University of Utah and a law degree from the University of Texas School of Law. His term will expire Nov. 19, 2007.


Garner Joins to Texas Board of Architectural Examiners

Gov. Rick Perry appointed Robert Kyle Garner of Amarillo to the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners for a term to expire Jan. 31, 2009. The board regulates the practice of architecture, landscape architecture and interior design throughout the state.

Garner is a counselor and Chi Sigma Iota Rehabilitation representative. He is a member of the American Counseling Association and has participated in several counseling corporations in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. He works with United Way of Amarillo, the Texas Rehabilitation Commission and is a Young Life leader. Garner is also the author of a book, Whatever It Takes. He received a bachelor's degree from Stanford University and a master's degree from Stephen F. Austin University. His appointment is subject to Senate confirmation.

European Community and Department of Homeland Security Agree to Work Together on Container Security

The European Community and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today signed an agreement that, among other things, calls for the prompt expansion of Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) Container Security Initiative throughout the European Community.

The agreement was signed by Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and Irish Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, D.C.

The agreement will intensify and broaden customs cooperation and mutual assistance in customs matters between the European Community and the United States. The objectives of the agreement include expanding the Container Security Initiative, establishing minimum standards for risk-management techniques, and improving public - private partnerships to secure the logistics chain of international trade.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the protection of our nation's borders. CBP unified Customs, Immigration, and Agriculture Inspectors and the Border Patrol into one border agency for the United States.