LBB may skirt some of governor's budget execution order
Money for El Paso med school, other projects may be put on back burner

The need to take care of Hurricane Katrina evacuees and assess those costs may prompt the Legislative Budget Board to postpone the consideration of several of Gov. Rick Perry's proposed budget execution order.

Perry unveiled a $600 million budget proposal last month after the second special session. The plan, which includes items such as $295 million for textbooks and $38 million for a medical school in El Paso, lays out options to spend money vetoed from the state's budget.

The plan must still be approved by the Legislative Budget Board (LBB), which is scheduled to meet on Sept. 21. But Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst (pictured) told reporters recently that he'll recommend that the board, of which he is a member, consider only "the essentials" until the state can determine the financial ramifications of caring for hurricane evacuees.

That means proposals to provide funding for projects such as Texas Tech University Health Science Center's medical school in El Paso could be put on the back burner. Proponents of the items that may be postponed aren't expected to put up much of a fuss. State Rep. Norma Chavez of El Paso, for example, said dealing with the tragic events of the hurricane is the biggest priority now so she would not press state leaders for the medical school funding.

The LBB is made up of Dewhurst, House Speaker Tom Craddick, four senators and four members of the House.

Williams leading Texas' Katrina response

Gov. Rick Perry has appointed Texas Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams to be his point-person for the state's Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Williams said the governor has asked him to:

• Act as liaison between local, state and federal officials as well as private and charitable organizations;
• Coordinate a team effort to ensure that evacuees find housing, jobs and the assistance needed to get back on their feet; and
• Help evacuees rebuild their lives, either by returning to their home towns or by helping them become contributing members of Texas communities.

"I ask you to send your community's stories and needs so that I can get as much information as possible," Williams said. State officials have put much of their Katrina-related information, including points of contact, online.

Feds shipping $54.1 million to Texas ports

Port communities in Texas will get $54.1 million of $142 million doled out recently by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This is the fifth round of security grant money the government has awarded since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. To date the federal agency has awarded $631 million.

The Houston area is receiving the bulk of the Texas money - $35.3 million. The money will be used to beef up security around waterways with sophisticated cameras, underwater surveillance, speedboats and fences. The Port of Houston will get about $15 million and Harris County is set to receive about $17 million.

"Houston is a potential target for terrorist threats, and this funding will help us better protect our assets, including the Port of Houston, from possible attacks," said U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay of Sugar Land.

Elsewhere in Texas, Texas City is slated to receive $5.9 million, Freeport will gain $2.7 million, Beaumont will capture $6.1 million and Port Arthur will take in $4.1 million.

Spotlight on State Leaders: Bob Cook, Texas Parks and Wildlife

Being raised on a small ranch in Brown County, Texas, taught Bob Cook a lot about the outdoors. Principally, he learned that he loved it.

But it wasn't until he enrolled at Texas A&M in 1961 that he learned the true intricacies of what surrounded him as he hunted, camped-out and fished. Texas A&M opened up a world of career opportunities related to conservation of the ecosystem, and Cook was eager to hike that career path.

He is now the executive director of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, a state agency he first joined as a wildlife biologist after college in 1965. Over the decades Cook became a notable fixture at TPWD, whose 3,000-plus employees manage and conserve the Lone Star State's natural and cultural assets.

Cook's ultimate goal for TPWD is simple: "My vision, my hope, is that our science, our data, our enforcement, our land management, and our outdoor experience will be the best in the nation - perhaps in the world. We are on track. We as an agency and as individuals are very dedicated to this goal."

But TPWD can't preserve the state's natural and cultural assets alone, which is why Cook has worked hard to take TPWD's philosophies to the private sector. His efforts have helped state and federal conservation agencies, and the public, realize that the conservation of wildlife, habitats, water and renewable resources has to be done on private land and with the full help and cooperation of private landowners.

"The government cannot own or manage enough land to conserve and protect these diverse natural resources," Cook said.

It's especially important now for private concerns to help TPWD fulfill its mission. Cook said that because of funding restraints, Texas Legislators couldn't allocate all the funding TPWD needs, especially in regard to the operation and maintenance of state parks. Still, lawmakers gave TPWD some much-needed financial flexibility recently. If TPWD can generate more revenue than was estimated by the comptroller, TPWD can use it.

"That gives us the incentive to save dollars where we can and to increase revenues where it is reasonable," Cook said.

Making sure Texas' water is clean and abundant is a high priority for Cook, who said he is often asked what he perceives to be the three most important conservation issues facing Texas today.

"I always answer the same," he said. "Water, water, water. We absolutely must address and resolve the water issues which we are facing in Texas. We know it is coming, and in some cases, in some areas, the crisis is already here."

Cook offers the following advice to state employees that aspire to reach a leadership position: "Be honest and straight-forward to a fault. Strive to provide state leadership the best information from which they can make decisions and never hesitate to give the decision-makers your best and honest recommendations. Never forget that you are an employee and that the people of Texas are your customers."

Texas secures $34M for disaster preparedness

The Texas Department of Health has been awarded $34 million by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to help prepare for major disasters, according to Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. The funds will go towards the Bioterrorism-Hospital Preparedness Program, which prepares health care systems to deliver care to victims of terrorism and other public health emergencies.

"Providing funds for health care facilities for our communities is a top priority," Hutchison said. "I am pleased these funds will help prepare our health systems in the event of a crisis."

Kerrville to gain new city manager

Paul Hofmann, an assistant city manager in Sugar Land, will take Kerrville's top administrative job on Oct. 17. Among the tasks waiting for Hofmann, 46, is filling senior staff jobs such as planning director, assistant city manager and water/wastewater supervisor. Pundits said Hofmann will also need to spend a significant amount of time defusing various conflicts between the Kerr County and Kerrville, which is near San Antonio.

Fort Bliss may gain 28,000 troops

Fort Bliss officials near El Paso said they expect the Army post to grow over the next several years by another 28,000 troops, primarily due to reductions of U.S. bases in Europe and recent action taken by the fed's Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) commission. Fort Bliss officials said that in five years there will be about 40,000 troops there, plus their familiar. El Paso Mayor John Cook (pictured) said each of the city's council districts has about 70,000 people, and over the next five years, Fort Bliss would be adding the equivalent of an additional district. City and school officials in the area are already planning for the growth.

Brownwood OKs technology master plan

Brownwood City Council members have approved a technology master plan for the city, which calls for upgrades that could cost up to $700,000 over several years. About $70,000 of funding is available is available in the 2004-'05 budget, which expires Sept. 30, and $200,000 is in the 2005-'06 budget. The plan recommends the replacement of hardware, servers, personal computers, wiring, cabling and other items, and recommends that the city increase its Internet service bandwidth.

Austin budget restores jobs, adds social services

Austin's city council has adopted a $479.7 million budget for 2005-'06. The budget, which takes effect Oct. 1, will restore 160 city jobs, bring back park maintenance and some health clinic services. City Manager Toby Futrell (pictured) has said that after years of budget cuts Austin is finally able to move forward with many projects - from road construction to technology upgrades - that were put on the back burner in recent years due to waning revenue in a hindered economy.

Hays County approves $52M budget

Hays County Commissioners have approved a $52 million operating budget - $16.4 million of which is going toward the cost of constructing new roads and parks in the burgeoning area south of Austin. Several departments are getting funding increases including the road department (13 percent), indigent health care (13 percent) and law enforcement (9 percent). Commissioners at the last minute added $145,200 to the Sheriffs Office budget for laptop computers, a medical health record system and a new jail security system.

Corpus Christi hires economic development leader

Irma Cabello has been hired as director of economic development for the City of Corpus Christi, a new position just created in this year's budget. Some of the things on Cabello's to-do list include overseeing the use of taxes that fund projects such as the seawall improvements and the new arena and ballpark. She will also head the city's downtown redevelopment program, work closely with the chamber, and be the city's representative on a small business advisory committee.

Fort Bend considers bond election

Fort Bend County commissioners are going over items for a potential bond package that could be presented to voters in May. Among the items being considered is a jail expansion, several road projects and a new courts complex. Commissioner Tom Stavinoha said its too early to know how much the bond package may total. In the last bond election in 2000, voters authorized $226 million for road projects.

Texas' evacuee total may reach 400,000

Texas' homeland security director, Steve McCraw, said as many as 400,000 Hurricane Katrina evacuees may have made their way to Texas. That estimate is about 150,000 more than the standing estimate of a quarter-million people. State leaders said they are now shifting their focus from dealing with the influx of new residents to preparing for the long-term needs of those who plan to remain here. At last count, about 19,000 people remain in Texas shelters such as the Astrodome - a figure that is declining steadily.

Fort Worth budget 8 percent larger this year

Fort Worth City Council has adopted an $838.5 million budget for 2005-'06 that includes millions of new dollars for employee pay raises, street improvements and police and firefighters. The budget also provides $230,000 to boost security at City Hall, $250,000 for new library books and materials and three new positions to expedite the city's development process.

Port of Corpus Christi plans to reacquire Naval Station Ingleside

Port of Corpus Christi commissioners decided Tuesday to begin discussions on acquiring Naval Station Ingleside, representing the first action the commission had taken regarding the 984 acres since the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure round began earlier this year.

The port has reversionary rights to the land because it deeded the property to the Navy to build Naval Station Ingleside. The deed also stipulates the Department of Defense, which owns the property, has the option of selling it back to the port at fair market value.

The BRAC commission recommended closing the base in the list submitted to the president earlier this month. The president recently approved the list in its entirety and sent it to Congress for final approval.

Governor makes several appointments

Gov. Rick Perry made several appointments earlier this week. Julie Caruthers Parsley was reappointed to the Public Utility Commission of Texas, A.W. "Whit" Riter of Tyler was reappointed to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and Mike Arismendez, Jr. of Shallowater was appointed to the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation. A complete list of the governor's recent appointments can be found here.

Labor Department grants $12 million for workforce training

The U.S. Department of Labor is awarding $12 million worth of job-training grants to people living in Texas, Alabama, Louisiana and Mississippi. The funds will help workers train for careers in construction, energy, health care, transportation and public safety.

Labor Department officials are providing these funds to aid in the economic recovery effort of the Gulf Coastal region. Thousands of Louisiana residents are residing in shelters throughout the state as they work to rebuild their lives.

"We want to help workers impacted by Hurricane Katrina to get back to work as quickly as possible. In the aftermath of Katrina, there will be thousands of new jobs created to help in the recovery and rebuilding of communities," Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao said.

Governor announces $162,141 in Grants To Texas Counties

Gov. Rick Perry said his office has awarded $162,141 in grants to four county programs for essential public services. The grants are awarded under the state County Essential Services Program and are distributed by the Governor's Criminal Justice Division.

The County Essential Services Program provides financial assistance to counties for important public services including law enforcement services, jail services, court services and reimbursement of extraordinary costs incurred for the investigation or prosecution of capital murder or crimes committed because of bias or prejudice.

The awards include:

• $61,630 to El Paso County to provide a fully integrated juvenile information database that will provide access to juvenile offender information from all levels of the juvenile justice system;
• $31,000 to Howard County to provide a livescan system to the Howard County Sheriff's Office that allows law enforcement officers to capture fingerprints electronically and rapidly submit them to the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation;
• $35,000 to Lampasas County to provide a livescan system to the Lampasas County Sheriff's Office that allows law enforcement officers to capture fingerprints electronically and rapidly submit them to the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Federal Bureau of Investigation; and
• $34,511 to Morris County to install a new fire alarm system in the Morris County jail.

Government reaches out to small tech firms; programs will open new market space

By Mary Scott Nabers, CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc.

During the past few years large government contractors have secured significant funding in the way of contracts from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Now it appears that smaller and more diversified companies - specifically technology companies - will be able to tap into this marketplace.

Click here to read the rest of the article.

[Editors note: Mary Scott Nabers' government contracting columns run regularly in the Austin Business Journal, San Antonio Business Journal, Houston Business Journal and Dallas Business Journal]

Richardson approves new, larger budget

After several years of belt-tightening, Richardson city leaders have approved a $143 million budget for 2005-'06. The new budget includes $660,000 to repair streets, and also allows the police and fire departments to replace vehicles and equipment. The parks department will have $113,000 for beautification projects.

Dallas fire chief resigns

Dallas Fire Chief Steve Abraira has resigned. Assistant Fire Chief Louie Bright will serve as interim fire chief while the city conducts a nationwide search.

Feds to cover Texas' Katrina-related health expenses

Gov. Rick Perry said Texas received federal approval for a plan that will ensure that Katrina evacuees have access to basic healthcare services and that the federal government will fully reimburse Texas for the costs. Perry and the state's top health officials negotiated the plan with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the federal agency which must approve state Medicaid programs. Approval of the request allows Texas to establish an uncompensated care pool to provide full federal reimbursement for medical services for evacuees not eligible for Medicaid. This is the first time CMS has ever approved such a healthcare plan.

Bexar signs off on $648M budget

Bexar County Commissioners adopted a $648 million budget this week. The budget, which is significantly larger than last year's, includes employee pay raises and $176,000 for Project Quest, a job training program.

Texas schools get emergency aid

Federal officials will provide emergency funds to Texas school districts to cover the cost of portable buildings and computers for thousands of young hurricane evacuees, but reimbursement for other expenses such as additional teachers will have to wait. Texas Education Commissioner Shirley Neeley has estimated that it could cost up to $450 million to educate the 60,000 or so evacuees.

UT pinpoints Austin, Dallas and San Antonio in Bush library proposal

After months of secrecy, the University of Texas System has taken the wraps off its unique multi-city proposal to host President George W. Bush's presidential library and museum. Three sites are suggested: one in Austin and two in Dallas. UT also named its campus in San Antonio as a prospect for a high-security conference center for world leaders and scholars.

Texas Tech engineering takes in $1M donation

The Texas Tech College of Engineering will have $45,000 a year to boost faculty research efforts or support students thanks to a $1 million endowment recently received. The money could be used in the future to buy equipment, lure faculty and send professors to national conferences.

Gainesville ISD calls $29.5M bond election

School officials in the North Texas city of Gainesville will ask voters on Nov. 19 to approve a $25 million bond package. The money would be used to build a 178,000-square-foot high school.

Bellaire OKs budget, eyes bonds

The Bellaire City Council near Houston has approved a $13.1 million operating budget for the fiscal year starting Oct. 1. The 2006 budget provides for a 3.5 percent increase in spending. Bellaire officials are also considering a bond initiative that would put $41 million toward infrastructure improvements and $9 million toward the replacement or repair of aging city facilities.

Hutchison files bills to cut red tape in relief effort

Legislation to cut bureaucratic red tape and help Texas cities cope with the cost of housing and caring for evacuees from Hurricane Katrina was filed Monday by U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison. The Texas senator filed four pieces of legislation after conference calls with city leaders from San Antonio, Houston, Austin and Dallas, where most Katrina evacuees in Texas are being sheltered.

Gonzalez seeks tax credits for those who help storm victims

Congressman Charlie Gonzalez of San Antonio introduced new legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives that would offer tax credits for families that open up their homes to Hurricane Katrina victims. If passed, the Katrina Aftermath Relief Effort (KARE) Tax Credit Act would allow families to deduct up to $1,000 for costs related to food, clothing, transportation and personal items. The tax credit would apply for both 2005 and 2006.

SPI's Lynn Nabers receives honorary doctorate

SPI Senior Consultant Lynn Nabers this week received an honorary doctorate of humanities from Howard Payne University. Nabers, a member of the Texas House of Representatives from 1969 to 1982, was honored for his distinguished career as a lawyer, businessman and government leader, said Dr. Lanny Hall, the university's president. Click here to read the full story.

SPI Welcomes Shar Habibi

Strategic Partnerships, Inc. is pleased to announce that Shar Habibi has joined the SPI team as its consulting coordinator. To learn more about Shar click here.

Procurement articles online

Click here to view recent articles on government procurement authored by Mary Scott Nabers, president and CEO of Strategic Partnerships Inc., and published in the Austin Business Journal and Houston Business Journal.

[Editor's note: Mary Scott Nabers' procurement columns run regularly in the Austin Business Journal, Houston Business Journal, San Antonio Business Journal and soon the Dallas Business Journal]

Event Links

2005 National Summit on Your City’s Families - 9/25/05-9/28/05

International City/County Management Association's 91st Annual Conference - 9/25/05-9/28/05

NCTCOG/ULI Development Excellence Education Day - 9/29/05

Homeland Security Conference: Mexico/Texas Border - 10/6/05

West Texas Regional Gang Investigators' Course - 10/18/05-10/20/05

Texas Municipal League Annual Conference - 10/26/05-10/28/05

OAG's 2005 Open Government Conference - 12/12/05-12/14/05

Texas Government Insider Archives

Volume 1, Volume 2 and Volume 3 Archives - 11/7/03 - 9/9/05

Resources

State Budget Resources

HUB Forms Library

State Contract Management Guide

State Procurement Manual

Who Represents Me? Texas Districts By Address

Diagram of Texas' Biennial Budget Cycle

Texas Fact Book

Strategic Partnerships, Inc. (SPI) is a research and consulting firm offering business development and public affairs services. Founded in Texas in 1994 by former government executives and public sector experts, SPI has developed a national reputation as the premier marketing partner dedicated to helping companies secure contracts in the $1.5 trillion state and local government marketplace. To learn more about SPI services click here or contact our sales department at 512-531-3900.

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IT Commodity Purchasing for FY 2006: Educational Briefing for Texas Government Purchasers

The purpose of this educational briefing, which takes place Sept. 20 in Austin, is to acquaint Texas state agency purchasers and others with Department of Information Resources' cooperative contract services and how procurement of IT commodity items will now be handled. Click here for details.

EWTG 19th Annual Professional Development Conference

The 19th Annual Executive Women in Texas Government (EWTG) Professional Development Conference will be held on November 21 at the Renaissance Austin Hotel. EWTG is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that develops and encourages leadership among women in Texas government and higher education. The theme of this year's conference is: Developing Leaders from Within. Click here for details.