Gov. Rick Perry has emphasized accomplishments made during the 81st Legislative session that provide resources and assist law enforcement officials in protecting Texans. The governor spoke at the Texas Municipal Police Association (TMPA) annual convention.

“In today’s threat environment, Texas police officers are not just first responders but first preventers,” Gov. Perry said. “We are honored and blessed to have such a remarkable group of dedicated law enforcement professionals patrolling our streets, constantly training and putting public safety ahead of their own interests.”

The governor touted HB 2086, an omnibus gang bill that provides state and local law enforcement agencies with additional tools to combat the threat of transnational gangs. These resources include electronic monitoring of criminal gang members who have two or more convictions; penalties for engaging in organized crime activity in gang free zones; and enhanced surveillance capabilities, among others.

Gov. Perry also noted the importance of SB 926, which exempts police officers operating emergency vehicles from fines incurred through red light camera citations. Additionally, the governor highlighted the significance of HB 872, which allows family members of officers killed in the line of duty to purchase health insurance from the officer’s employer.

Securing our state and protecting Texans from the threat of transnational gangs is a priority for the governor. In October, Gov. Perry allocated $4 million in grants through the Governor’s Criminal Justice Division (CJD) to law enforcement agencies in 13 cities across the state to assist officers who patrol hot spots of gang activity. This session, the Legislature allocated $113 million to continue the state’s border security operations, including funding to combat transnational gangs.

“As we hammer gangs across the state, we are also keeping the pressure up along the border,” Gov. Perry said. “I am pleased that the legislature renewed funding for our ongoing border security efforts, making it possible to keep up our concentration of law enforcement personnel and equipment in the regions where they are most needed.”

TMPA was formed in 1950 to promote professionalism in Texas law enforcement, improve job conditions, and enhance communication among Texas peace officers.

The State Board of Education today gave final approval to new curriculum standards for about 190 Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses.

The standards, called Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), update and streamline CTE courses offered in Texas public schools. In recent years, more than 600 CTE courses were available to be taught in Texas schools.

The updated standards were written by teams of Texas secondary and postsecondary educators, business leaders and community members.    

The courses are organized into 16 categories or clusters, which are:
• Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources;
• Architecture and Construction;
• Arts, Audio/Visual Technology, and Communications;
• Business Management and Administration;
• Education and Training;
• Finance;
• Government and Public Administration;
• Health Science;
• Hospitality and Tourism;
• Human Services;
• Information Technology;
• Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security;
• Manufacturing;
• Marketing;
• Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics; and
• Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics.

The board at a later date will determine whether some of the advanced CTE courses can count for a fourth mathematics or science course credit. This will potentially provide more course options to students in the Class of 2011 and subsequent classes who are required to earn four math and science credits as part of their diploma program.

During this meeting, board members also learned that the Texas Legislature appropriated about $82 million less than was requested to purchase new English language arts and reading books. The board requested $547 million in funding for instructional materials that are to be used in classrooms beginning in the fall of 2010 but it received an appropriation of $465 million.

Board members agreed that they would not delay the purchase of instructional materials for any subject or grade level.  However, they did agree to about $44 million in cost cutting measures that include basing costs on 2008-2009 enrollment figures and reducing the textbook quota to 103 percent.

The current quota is 105 percent, which means that for every 100 students, the district can order 105 textbooks. This allows a district to have extra materials on hand to replace lost textbooks or to provide materials to newly enrolled students. A 103 percent quota simply means that districts will have a smaller quantity of surplus materials on hand. A district could still order additional instructional materials at a later date if needed.

Board members also asked Texas Education Agency staff to work with publishers to see if there were ways publishers could reduce the bid price of materials. The English language arts and literature books are currently scheduled to cost from $55.56 to $174.14 per book or kit, depending on the subject and grade. Board members asked staff members to calculate new maximum costs per textbook to achieve an additional $38 million in cost reductions to close the budget gap.

As part of its efforts to manage the $19 billion Permanent School Fund, the board voted to hire NEPC, LLC to provide investment counsel services to the fund. The board also voted to rehire The Bank of New York Mellon to provide global custody and security lending services for the PSF.

The board awarded a charter to Koinonia Community Learning Academy of Houston.

The July meeting marked the board’s first meeting headed by new Chair Gail Lowe, R-Lampasas. Lowe was appointed chair of the board by Gov. Rick Perry on July 10.

 

The new Neiman Marcus Willow Bend award program "Top Ten Women of Collin County" celebrates women leaders who promote and advance nonprofit missions in Collin County. The Arts of Collin County selected Jean Ellis Newman of Plano to represent their organization for 2009. Jean Ellis Newman is a powerful voice in Collin County as the founder and publisher of Plano Profile and Wishbone Graphics. Supporting the nonprofit sector, the arts, women's organizations, and civic involvement, Plano Profile magazine is one the community's most respected sources for current trends, volunteer opportunities, literature, the arts, education, and county-wide events for the past 26 years.

One of the most recognized features in each issue of Plano Profile is Newman's personal artwork. She is an accomplished artist and uses oils, watercolor, and other media to create vibrant paintings inspired from a variety of experiences and passions. Her personal connection with the arts community and appreciation for the arts’ positive economic impact make Newman a natural choice for representing the Arts of Collin County in this prestigious new program.

"Jean is a natural choice as the Arts of Collin County nominee for this award. Jean’s commitment to the Collin County community over many years, and particularly to the Arts of Collin County, as one of the visionary leaders working to bring the dream to fruition, exemplifies her love of the arts, education and Collin County. We are thrilled that she will represent the Arts of Collin County as Neiman Marcus recognizes this group of remarkable women." said Dr. Betty Bell Muns, Vice President, Arts of Collin County Commission.

Newman has been a strong supporter of the Arts of Collin County since its formative stages more than 10 years ago. She has served on the Arts of Collin County BRAVO! Capital Campaign Honorary Advisory Council and BRAVO! Campaign Plano Fundraising Team. Along with providing her leadership, she has contributed her time and talent through her personal artwork as well as a pro-bono advertising campaign created by Wishbone Graphics and published in Plano Profile.

Jean has been recognized for her leadership skills and entrepreneurial efforts many times through the years. In 2002, she was named the Citizen of the Year in Plano; in 1998, she received the Andre' Davidson Spirit of Volunteerism Award. During 1989, the Plano Chamber of Commerce presented her with the Small Business Person of the Year award; and in 1987, only five years after starting her company, she received the Athena Award which recognizes the Outstanding Business Woman of the Year. She served as the 2004 chairman of the Plano Chamber of Commerce board of directors, a five-year term on the Plano Chamber board, and a member of the 2004 Plano Economic Development Board. Other organizations to which Jean has given time, experience, and support include the Plano Public Library System, Community Credit Union, Junior League of Plano, Collin County Community College Foundation, and the Plano Symphony Orchestra have all benefited from Jean's knowledge and board participation.

"I am immensely honored by this nomination and will enjoy representing the many passionate individuals dedicated to the Arts of Collin County. Working together, we will complete this state-of-the-art performance park as a focal point for our entire community, providing enrichment for generations to come," shares Newman.

A series of events is planned for mid-August to honor and recognize the Top 10 Women in Collin County as well as to welcome the new Neiman Marcus Willow Bend General Manager Marcus Wyss. Neiman Marcus Willow Bend will host a Fall Fashion luncheon and clinic for the ten honorees. A dinner co-hosted by Plano Mayor Phil Dyer and new Neiman Marcus General Manager Marcus Wyss will be held at Neiman Marcus Willow Bend and a luncheon and fashion show to benefit the ten non-profits who are honoring these outstanding women will be held at Neiman Marcus on August 20. Tickets for this event will be available through each of the ten charities. Contact Arts of Collin County if you are interested in attending. Seating is limited.

The North Texas Tollway Authority’s (NTTA) System Finance and Audit Committee today voted to advance a plan to implement a new distance-based tolling structure for its roadways. Motorists would pay roadway tolls that are better aligned with distance traveled. The recommended toll structure increases tolls by approximately three-and-a-half cents per mile. The NTTA Board of Directors will consider the proposal at its regularly scheduled meeting on July 16, 2009.

Beginning Sept. 1, 2009, three months ahead of a scheduled and previously announced increase, the new toll rate would be 14.5 cents per mile on the Dallas North Tollway and the President George Bush Turnpike (PGBT). This action aligns the tolls with Sam Rayburn Tollway rates and the regional toll rate adopted by the Regional Transportation Council in April 2006. The average toll road driver with a TollTag is expected to pay an additional $10 a month.

TollTag rates will remain at 50 cents on the Mountain Creek Lake Bridge and Addison Airport Toll Tunnel. The rate on Lewisville Lake Toll Bridge, scheduled to open in August 2009, will stay at $1. After Sept. 1, 2009, the adjusted toll rates will be increased bi-annually in July at a compounded annual rate of 2.75 percent. The rates on the Bush Turnpike Eastern Extension will increase at a rate equal to 3 percent per annum. An amendment to the Sam Rayburn Tollway project agreement was recommended to provide for toll rate increases at a fixed annual rate of 2.75 percent.

“We realize these are difficult economic times to raise rates,” said NTTA Chief Financial Officer Janice Davis, “but this is the prudent decision that will help maintain the quality of existing 2 roads, fulfill NTTA’s debt service obligations and meet regional commitments to finance and build much needed road construction projects.” Davis said the rate increase is necessary for several reasons, including a response to changes in economic conditions and traffic demand. The Authority needs to maintain a strong financial position to continue mobility projects and maintain safety and sustainability for the NTTA System. “We continue to see a decline in traffic,” said Davis. “Transactions through April 2009 are down 4.0 percent compared to the same period in 2008.”

In June and July, the chief financial officer briefed the NTTA’s System Finance and Audit Committee members that 2008 and 2009 revenues are below projections developed two years ago when the economy was more robust. New revenue projections reflect the traffic decline as well as lower than anticipated TollTag usage and reduced collection from ZipCash. Ms. Davis implemented quarterly traffic and revenue updates and annual investment grade traffic and revenue projections to replace previous bi-annual reports last December, in conjunction with the 2009 budget. A new traffic and revenue study based on the recommended toll structure is scheduled for release later this summer.

The NTTA System Finance and Audit Committee members voted 4 to 1 to advance the distance based rate system at 14.5 cents per mile to the full Board on July 16. Davis also said the rate increase is needed to protect NTTA’s credit rating, ultimately maintaining NTTA’s access to low cost borrowing. “In these challenging times, the rating agencies want to see proof that NTTA’s Board is committed to the maintenance of the Authority’s financial strength and integrity,” Davis said. “NTTA has already imposed some tough cost-cutting moves for this fiscal year, and the only other way to further increase financial capacity is through a toll rate increase.”