Minutes
Tuesday, January 16,2001
Page
MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
Tuesday, January 16, 2001
9:00 a.m.
Capitol Extension, Room E1.036
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a
public hearing of the Senate Committee on Finance was held on Tuesday,
January 16, 2001, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036, at Austin,
Texas.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Rodney Ellis
Senator Chris Harris
Senator Gonzalo Barrientos
Senator Robert Duncan
Senator Troy Fraser
Senator Tom Haywood
Senator Mike Jackson
Senator Jon Lindsay
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.
Senator Steve Ogden
Senator Carlos Truan
Senator John Whitmire
Senator Judith Zaffirini
*****
The chair called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m. There being a quorum
present, the following business was transacted:
The following members arrived after the roll was called:
Senator Gonzalo Barrientos
Senator Robert Duncan
Senator Troy Fraser
Senator Jon Lindsay
Senator Steve Ogden
Senator John Whitmire
The Chair laid out the proposed Committee Rules previously distributed
to the members. Senator Zaffirini submitted changes. Senator Harris
moved to adopt the rules with the amendments submitted by Senator
Zaffirini. Senator Truan seconded the motion. Hearing no objection the
rules were adopted as amended by Senator Zaffirini.
The Chair stated that starting Monday, January 22, 2001 the Committee
would start meeting a 8:00 am. The schedule will be Monday through
Thursday and possibly on Fridays, if necessary, to stay on schedule.
The Chair recognized the following witnesses to provide testimony
regarding Legislative Budget Board (LBB) recommendations:
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Don Gilbert, Commissioner
The Commissioner started his testimony by answering questions
asked by the Committee on January 11, 2001. Mr. Gilbert
continued his testimony with an overview of the requested budget
and answered many questions asked by the Committee.
Texas Department of Criminal Justice
Tony Fabelo, Ph.D., Executive Director, Criminal Justice Policy
Council
Dr. Fabelo answered questions directed at him as to his job and
a description of what his responsibilities are. Dr. Fabelo
explained that the Criminal Justice Policy Council is
independent from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and
every other criminal justice agency in the state. He is guided
by the Governor, the Lt. Governor, the Chairman of Senate
Finance, the Chairman of House Appropriations, the Chairman of
House Corrections and the Chairman of Senate Criminal Justice.
His role is to provide policy analysis to the above group and
the Legislature to use in developing and evaluating criminal and
juvenile justice policy.
David Mc Nutt, Director of Financial Services, Texas Department of
Criminal Justice
Answered questions as to the salaries of correctional officers
and other questions directed to him by the Committee.
Mac Stringfellow, Chairman, Texas Board of Criminal Justice
Answered questions regarding the seven prisoners that escaped in
December and to the events that lead to that escape. He also
spoke to the report that had just been published regarding the
investigation of the escape.
Wayne Scott, Executive Director, Texas Department of Criminal
Justice
Answered questions about personnel requests in budget and other
questions directed to him by the Committee.
At 10:40 a.m. Senator Ellis moved that the committee stand recessed
until after adjournment of the Senate; without objection, it was so
ordered.
At 12:36 p.m. the committee reconvened.
The Committee continued with questions to the Texas Department of
Criminal Justice and the witnesses listed above.
The Chair recognized John O'Brien, Assistant Director, and liaison from
the LBB to the Senate Finance Committee. He explained the Legislative
Budget Estimates document, the Board's Budget and Performance Summaries
and a third document that is new for this session. He also answered
questions from the Committee.
Governor's Budget Priorities
John Opperman, Director
John apologized for the fact that the Committee didn't get
copies of the proposed budget sooner. He gave an overview of
the Governor's priorities. The Governor is very concerned about
state employees and issues they face. He spoke about the use of
GARVEE Bonds for revenue. He answered many questions from the
Committee.
David Reisman, Budget Analyst
Spoke to issues in the Governor's budget. Answered many
questions from the Committee.
Cecile Young, Assistant Director
Spoke to issues in the Governor's budget. Answered many
questions from the Committee.
John O' Brien, Assistant Director, LBB was called back to answer
questions from Senator Truan about TEA in regard to Adult Education.
John O' Brien called on Ursula Parks, LBB staff, to respond to specific
questions. John O'Brien pointed out some new information in the
Legislative Budget Estimates and wanted Rick Travis, Manager for the
Business and Economic Development Department on LBB, to give a broad
overview of the new information in Articles VII and VIII.
Texas State Board of Public Accountancy
William Treacy, Executive Director
Mr. Treacy gave a brief overview of the Board and introduced
members in attendance.
K. Michael Conaway, Board Member
Mr. Conaway spoke to some specific requests of the proposed
budget and projections for the future.
Jimmie Lee Mason, Board Member & Chairman of the Regulatory
Compliance Committee
Made brief comments about the Board. Answered questions from
the Committee.
Registering, but not testifying:
Billy M. Atkinson, Board Member
Jerry Davis, Board Member
Alan Hermanson, Member
Robert Owen, Member
Texas Board of Professional Engineers
Rick Travis, LBB Budget Analyst
Victoria Hsu, Executive Director
Ms. Hsu gave an overview and functions of the Board. Answered
questions from the Committee.
E.D. "Dave" Dorchester, Chairman of the Board
Spoke of the growth and increased work and scope of the Board.
Answered questions from the Committee.
Registering, but not testifying:
Joe Rocha, Board Member
Texas Board of Architectural Examiners
Rick Travis, LBB Budget Analyst
Cathy C. Hendricks, Executive Director
Made introductions of board members and gave a general
overview of proposed budget. Answered
questions from the Committee.
Steve Ellinger, Chairman of the Board
Spoke of increased salaries for employees and other funding
issues of the Board. Answered questions from Committee members.
Gordon E. Landreth, Board Member
Spoke to items 3 & 4 of the exceptional items in the proposed
budget.
Public testimony:
Ben T. Wilson II, Texas Society of Architects
Spoke against a professional fee increase
State Office of Administrative Hearings
Heidi Lopez-Cepero, LBB Budget Analyst
Shelia Bailey Taylor, Chief Administrative Law Judge
Introduced Board members and answered questions from the
Committee. Gave an overview of the agency and some of the
problems they face.
Texas Structural Pest Control Board
Kimberley Maddox, LBB Budget Analyst
Gary Gillen, Vice-Chair of Board
Spoke of the main goals of the agency, the changes brought about
by Federal mandates and the need for pay raises for staff.
Benny Mathis, Executive Director
Spoke to specific request in proposed budget. Answered
questions from Committee.
Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners
Ed Robertson, LBB Budget Analyst
Ron Allen, Executive Director
Spoke to some of the specific requests in the proposed budget
and gave an overview of the future needs of the agency.
Answered questions from the Committee.
Registering but not testifying:
Keith H, Cole, CFO of the Board
Texas Cosmetology Commission
Heidi Lopez-Cepero, LBB Budget Analyst
Henry O'Neal Holifield, Executive Director
Introduced new staff; Don L. Nall, Director of Enforcement and
Adriana De La Cruz, Accountant. He gave an overview of the
proposed budget, exceptional items and changes in the
commission.
Comer J. Cottrell, Chairman
Spoke to specific items in the proposed budget and spoke to the
need for an increase in pay for their Executive Director.
Sandra Donahue, SAO, Office of the State Auditor
State Board of Barber Examiners
Heidi Lopez-Cepero, LBB Budget Analyst
William King Brown, Executive Director
Introduced Board member and staff. Spoke to the exceptional
items in proposed budget request.
Registering, but not testifying:
Charles E. Williams, Board Member
Senator Harris in Chair.
State Board of Plumbing Examiners
Ed Robertson, LBB Budget Analyst
Robert L. Maxwell, Administrator
Introduced Board members. Gave general overview of proposed
budget. Answered questions from the Committee.
Registering, but not testifying:
Richard L. Herman, Board Member
Texas Funeral Service Commission
Rick Travis, LBB Budget Analyst
O.C. "Chet" Robbins, Executive Director
Introduced staff and Board members present. Mr. Robbins gave a
brief summery of the previous year, overview of work done and
answered questions from the Committee. Senator Harris stated
that the commission went through a pretty rough scrubbing during
the Sunset hearings.
There being no further business, Senator Harris moved that the Committee
stand recessed until 8:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 17,2001. Without
objection, it was so ordered.
______________________
Senator Rodney Ellis, Chair
______________________
Myra J. Schmitt, Clerk