Introducing Your New Source for Government Enterprise Knowledge: Texas Government Insider

In an effort to better serve our readers, we have revised the look and feel of our b2b4g.com Weekly News Update. We're excited to introduce our new publication, Texas Government Insider, which will carry on b2b4g.com's mission of bringing you the latest in government and procurement news for the Texas public sector.

As always, we will provide you with the information necessary to succeed in the Texas government marketplace. In addition to following news stories relevant to your business interests, we hope to give you rare insight into the inner workings of state government. We will bring you interviews, case studies, and success stories from around Texas, as well as keep you up-to-date on the latest appointments and promotions.

We will continue to publish an updated list of conferences and workshops that feature key issues relating to both the public and private sector.

SPI is recognized as a pioneer in the business of partnering public and private entities for commercial purposes. Through Texas Government Insider, we will continue this tradition.

Texas to Receive 115.7 Million in Federal Grants for Homeland Security

In an effort to support local and state authorities whose burdens have grown significantly since September 11, 2001, Department of Homeland Security director, Tom Ridge, announced Tuesday the allocation of $2.2 billion dollars from the Office of Domestic Preparedness for FY 2004. The federal grants are aimed at improving first responders' abilities to prevent, respond and recover from acts of terrorism.

Texas will receive the second largest allocation of any state, a total of $115.7 million dollars from three different programs. The Department of Homeland Security recently streamlined the grant process so that states effectively have a "one-shop-stop" to apply for funding. Texas state and local authorities will now be able to apply for grants from the State Homeland Security Program, the Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program, and the Citizen Corps Council simultaneously.

In his speech announcing the federal grants, Tom Ridge emphasized prevention through state, local, and federal level cooperation and information sharing. He also highlighted how efficient inter-agency coordination of resources is vital to quick recovery in the aftermath of a terrorist attack.

"We cannot secure the nation solely from the nation's capital," he said. "We need to support those 'first preventers' and 'first responders' at the state and local level who are our partners in this effort."

Almost $89 million will be available to Texas through the State Homeland Security Program. The moneys from this program will enable equipment purchases and upgrades, training programs and practice exercises, and statewide coordination planning.

The Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program (LETPP), which set $26 million in grants for Texas, is a new initiative designed to provide law enforcement with enhanced capabilities for detecting and preventing terrorist activity.

The $1.8 million from the Citizen Corps will finance planning, outreach and management of Citizen Corps activities in Texas.

Reflecting on the grant allocation, Governor Perry asserted that "these funds are critical in ensuring the men and women in our local communities have the resources they need to keep Texas safe."

For more information, go to the Department of Homeland Security's website at http://www.dhs.gov.

Transition Plan for Health and Human Services Consolidation

In accordance with House Bill 2292, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) submitted its Transition Plan to the Governor and the Legislative Budget Board on Tuesday of this week.

The bill, which passed the Texas Legislature in May, calls for reorganization and consolidation of twelve state agencies into HHSC and four new departments. The transition plan is the result of extensive research and information gathering and details exactly how HHSC intends to answer the mandate of the state legislature. The Texas Legislative Oversight Committee will review the commission's process on a quarterly basis.

Through the consolidation efforts, HHSC intends to improve client services, streamline administrative operations, and increase accountability. Albert Hawkins, Executive Commisioner for Health and Human Services, stated, "We envision a health and human services enterprise that works better and costs less. Toward this goal, we will seek input and build partnerships with local communities, advocacy groups, and the private and not-for-profit sectors to put in place solutions that emphasize program efficacy and personal responsibility. We also envision a highly coordinated HHS system driven by motivated and talented workers focused not only on sound processes and procedures but particularly on results."

Considering the fundamental changes in state delivery of health and human services, HHSC is asking for input and feedback from the public on the transition process and its outcomes. To this end, they have posted the transition plan on their website and will continue to seek out and invite public opinion on its contents. To view the plan, visit http://www.hhsc.state.tx.us.

Voters Pass Houston METRO Rail Referendum

Houston's hotly contested METRO transit plan won a solid endorsement from voters in Tuesday's election. The $640 million bond proposal, which includes more buses, rail, and roads, received 51 percent of the vote.

"The people have spoken," said METRO President & CEO Shirley A. DeLibero. "This is the beginning of a new era in Houston."

The METRO Solutions transit system plan endorsed by the voters includes 72 miles of rail, a 50 percent increase in bus service and more than 250 miles of two-way, all-day park & ride service.

The bus component comprises approximately 44 new routes (1,000 new route miles), including five Signature Express cross-town routes, as well as extended operating hours and shorter times between buses.

The rail component includes 64 miles of light rail additions to the 7.5-mile Main Street line that is scheduled to open Jan. 1, 2004, and eight miles of commuter line.

The plan, which calls for no tax increase, nevertheless drew fierce opposition. The rail component proved the most controversial aspect of the referendum, with opponents claiming that light rail would have little effect on Houston's traffic congestion.

DeLibero expressed her excitement over the successful passage of the referendum, stating that, "This is a great victory, for METRO and for Houston."

House Speaker Releases List of Issues for Special Study Before the 79th Legislature; Public School System a High Priority

House Speaker Tom Craddick Tuesday released a list of some 180 issues that will be studied during the interim prior to the start of the 79th Legislature by 40 House standing and select committees.

Craddick said the studies will help set the agenda for the next regular legislative session. He pointed to interim studies in advance of the 78th Legislature that documented a need for insurance and tort reforms, higher education tuition deregulation, and an overhaul of the state's method of financing public education -- all key issues for current legislators.

"We haven't finished revamping the way we finance our public schools," Craddick said, "but our Select Committee on Public School Finance is looking for recommendations so the governor can call us back next spring to finish the job."

"We knew this would be tough going in," Craddick said, noting that a select committee struggled with the issue for a year in interim of the the 77th Legislature without reaching a consensus. "It's still a tough call," he said, "but we're going to get it done and get it done right."

The new interim studies include charges to 36 permanent standing committees and four select committees, three of them new, including panels to study child welfare and foster care, construction industry workers' compensation issues, and sex offender statutes.

The speaker appointed Suzanna Gratia Hupp, Lampasas, to chair the child welfare group and Elvira Reyna, Mesquite, as vice chair. Co-Chairing the workers' compensation panel are Joe Nixon, Houston, and Helen Giddings, Dallas. Craddick named Terry Keel, Austin, to chair the committee on sex offender statutes and appointed Ray Allen, Grand Prairie, as vice chair.

Heard about the State Data Center and wondered what it is?

As previously reported in this newsletter, SPI has produced a "first of its kind" research report entitled Guide to the Texas State Government Marketplace. This publication, which began shipping last month, identifies commercial opportunities within state government for fiscal years 2004 and 2005. The Guide points vendors and service providers to specific agencies, decision-makers, historical data, budget information and timelines. It also outlines numerous new procurement rules and policies. A description of the State Data Center begins on page 53. A special Web site (http://www.BudgetReport.com) has been set up to provide more information on the Guide. You may also place credit card orders on that site.

Opportunities in Biometric Technology

If you haven't familiarized yourself with biometrics, you might want to do so soon. Chances are good that you'll hear a lot about biometrics in the coming months. Government markets appear to be a fertile environment for the technology, with projects already underway in federal, state, and local governments, and in areas such as law enforcement, schools, health care, aviation, and finance. Strategic Partnerships' CEO, Mary Scott Nabers, provides the details on these opportunities and more in the Austin Business Journal at http://austin.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/2003/11/03/smallb2.html.

Mary Scott Nabers to Give Keynote Luncheon Speech at TASSCC

Hosted by Texas Association of State Systems for Computing and Communications (TASSCC) and the Department of Information Resources (DIR) at the Omni Austin Hotel in Southpark on December 5. The conference brings together technology directors from Texas state agencies and institutions of higher education to discuss the strategic direction of technology in Texas state government. For more information, visit TASSCC's website at http://www.tasscc.org.

Thirteenth Annual "Heavy Hitter" Day

Hosted by the Business Success Center at the Old San Francisco Steak House on November 11, 2003. Discussion panel on small business growth strategies followed by networking luncheon. For more information or to RSVP, contact the BSC at 512.933.1983 or coordinator@bscusa.com or visit http://www.bscusa.com.

Texas State Data Center/Business and Industry Data Center Annual Meeting

Hosted by the Texas State Data Center and the Office of Demographics at the Omni Austin Hotel in Southpark on November 13 and 14. Workshop: Training in Current and Forthcoming Census Data Files and Online Access. For more information or to register, visit http://txsdc.tamu.edu/txsdc_mtg/txsdc_mtg2003.php.

Williamson County Growth Summit

Hosted by Austin Business Journal and Austin Marriott North, along with sponsors Regions Bank, Scott & White and KLBJ NewsRadio 590 at the Austin Marriott North at Round Rock on November 17, 2003. Luncheon, during which Dr. Ray Perryman will give the keynote address, followed by a panel discussion of current issues facing the regional economy, with a specific emphasis on the local business climate in Williamson County. For more information or to register, call 512.494.2500 or visit .

2003 Annual Texas Municipal League Conference and Exhibition: Our Cities, Our Youth, One Future

Hosted by TML at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio, on November 19, 20, and 21. For more information or to register, call 512.231.7400 or visit http://www.tml.org/ed_ac_general_info.html.

Seventh Annual Texas Workforce Conference: Leadership and Innovation

Texas Workforce Commission at the Westin Galleria Hotel, Houston, on November 19-21. The conference will include workshops on innovative and best practice approaches to work force management, vitalization, and education, as well as issues pertinent to employers and employer vendors. For more information or to register, visit http://www.twc.state.tx.us/events.html.

Governor Perry Appoints Two to Texas Building and Procurement Commission

AUSTIN - Gov. Rick Perry announced Tuesday the appointment of Victor E. Leal of Muleshoe and Brenda Pejovich of Dallas to the Texas Building and Procurement Commission for terms to expire Jan. 31, 2009. The commission is responsible for the acquisition of goods, services and facilities for state government.

Leal is the mayor of Muleshoe, president and CEO of Samuel, Inc., and owner and manager of Leal's Mexican Restaurant. He is a member of the Texas Restaurant Association, National Restaurant Association and National Federation of Independent Business. Leal is the president-elect of the Texas Municipal League, Region 3, and a volunteer with the Boy Scouts and Habitat for Humanity.

Pejovich is a Certified Public Accountant and former CEO of Brenda Pejovich & Associates, Inc., a project consulting and workforce solutions firm sold in 1999 to the subsidiary of a Fortune 1000 company. She serves on the boards of the Texas Public Policy Foundation and the advisory board of Associa, Inc. Pejovich has served on the boards of Texas Mutual Insurance Company and the Greater Dallas Crime Commission. She received a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Austin.

Governor Perry Reappoints Wilkinson, Designates Kane as Presiding Officer of the Texas Board of Human Services

AUSTIN - Last Friday, Gov. Rick Perry announced the reappointment of Teresa Wilkinson of Midland to the Texas Board of Human Services and designated Jerry Kane of Corpus Christi as the board's presiding officer. The board adopts rules and policies for the Texas Department of Human Services.

Kane, president of Sam Kane Beef Processors, was appointed to the board in 2001 and previously served as vice-chair. He is vice-chair of the Texas Water Foundation, chair of the City of Corpus Christi Airport Board and co-chair of the Coastal Regional Water Planning Group of the Texas Water Development Board. He was a member of the Texas Health and Human Services Coordinating Council, the United States Holocaust Memorial Council Steering Committee, the State of Texas Natural Resources Advisory Council and the President's Committee on Food and Agriculture.

Kane is a member of the Chancellor's Executive Committee for the University of Texas Health Science Center. He received a bachelor's degree with honors from the University of Texas at Austin.

Wilkinson was appointed to the board in 2000. She serves on the Midland City Council, the Board of Governors of Midland Memorial Hospital and the First National Bank board. Wilkinson is also a member of the Task Force on Financial Abuse of the Elderly. She received a bachelor's degree from Trinity University and a master's degree from New York University.