07.15.12
Interim hearings at the capitol this week
Several more interim hearings this week. Via the Texas Legislative Reference Library.
Week of July 16thJuly 16thHouse Committee on Human ServicesCharge: Foster care redesign
- The Texas Blueprint: Transforming Education Outcomes for Children & Youth in Foster Care, Texas Children’s Commission, March 31, 2012
- “Court Denies Class in Texas Foster Care Lawsuit,” Houston Chronicle, March 23, 2012
- Foster Care Licensing Standards Across the United States: Using Research Findings to Effect Change, American Bar Association, March 2012
- Improving Child and Youth Placement Outcomes: a System Redesign (Foster Care Redesign) Report, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, January 2011
- Improving the Lives of Children in Long-Term Foster Care: the Role of Texas’ Courts & Legal System, Texas Appleseed, November 2010 and follow-up report Texas Children in Long-Term Foster Care: Outcomes, Court Hearing Practices, and Court Costs, Texas Appleseed, May 2012
- Legislative Strategies to Safely Reduce the Number of Children in Foster Care, NCSL, July 2010
Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs & Military InstallationsCharge: Benefits claims process
- Benefits Fact Sheets, U.S. Veterans Administration, reviewed/updated March 26, 2012
- Claims Representation and Counseling, statewide map of office locations by VA region, Texas Veterans Commission, January 2012
- “94-Year-Old World War II Vet Stuck in VA Backlog Again,” Houston Chronicle, July 8, 2012
Charge: Mental health services
- Mental Health Home Page, U.S. Veterans Administration
- Military Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, last updated October 12, 2011
- Guide to VA Mental Health Services for Veterans & Families, U.S. Veterans Administration, January 2011
Charge: Update on Mental Health section of the Texas Coordinating Council for Veterans Services, authorized by SB 1796, 82nd Regular Session
- Texas Coordinating Council for Veterans Services: Agendas and Minutes, Texas Veterans Commission, October 2011-March 2012
July 17thSenate Committee on EducationCharge: Public school management practices; Regional Education Service Centers
- Education Service Center (ESC) Information, Texas Education Agency
- Consolidated Report of Texas Education Service Centers, Texas Education Agency, January 2012
- Regional Education Service Centers: A Question of Necessity, Texas Public Policy Foundation, April 2012
- School Performance Reviews - Management & Performance Reviews, Legislative Budget Board
House Committee on County Affairs
Charge: Population growth in unincorporated areas
- “Demand for Services May Strain County,” San Antonio Express-News, May 16, 2011
- County Subdivision Regulation Sourcebook, Texas Association of Counties, 2010
- “Red Tape, Catch 22s Impede Progress in Texas’ Colonias” and “Conditions, Health Risks Sicken Colonias Residents,”Texas Tribune, July 2011
Charge: Abolition of elected county offices; consolidation of county services
- “Strategic Planning Through Interlocal Agreements,” Texas County Progress, July 10, 2012
- “Hidalgo County Debates Eliminating Precinct 5,” McAllen Monitor, October 18, 2011 and “Precinct 5 Office Will Close as Scheduled,” McAllen Monitor, March 2, 2012
- Guide to Texas Laws for County Officials, Texas Association of Counties, 2009
Charge: County jails
- County Jail Population Reports, Texas Commission on Jail Standards, last updated June 1, 2012
- Public Safety and Cost Control Solutions for Texas County Jails, Texas Public Policy Foundation, March 2012
- “Minding the Gap,” Denton Record-Chronicle, March 1, 2012
- Costly Confinement & Sensible Solutions: Jail Overcrowding in Texas, Texas Criminal Justice Coalition, October 2010
- Crisis Care Services for Counties: Preventing Individuals with Mental Illnesses from Entering Local Correction Systems, National Association of Counties, June 2010
Charge: Monitor the agencies and programs under the committee’s jurisdiction; update on Texas Healthcare Transformation and Quality Improvement Program Medicaid 1115 Waiver
- Medicaid Transformation Waiver including overview, timeline, background resources, and proposed rules, Texas Health and Human Services Commission
July 18thHouse Committee on Licensing & Administrative ProceduresCharge: Alcoholic beverage licensing and permitting process
- License and Permit Descriptions, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission
- Small Craft Producers Seek Alcohol Regulation Revisions, Focus Report, House Research Organization, June 12, 2012
Charge: Occupational licensing programs and their impact on consumers, competition, and the cost of services
- Occupational Regulations in Texas, Texas Legislative Council, October 2008
- Occupational Regulations in Texas – Addendum, Texas Legislative Council, June 2010
- License to Work: A National Study of Burdens from Occupational Licensing, Institute for Justice, May 2012
- Testimony Before the Senate Business & Commerce Committee Regarding Interim Charge Concerning Occupational Licensing, Texas Public Policy Foundation, April 10, 2012
Charge: Manufacturing capability
- Texas Manufacturing Outlook Survey (monthly), Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, latest report June 25, 2012
- 2012 Texas Manufacturers Summit - Speaker Presentations, Hosted by Texas Association of Manufacturers, San Marcos Manufacturers Association, and TMAC, February 14-15, 2012
Charge: Transparency, accountability and efficiency
- Following the Money 2012: How the 50 States Rate in Providing Online Access to Government Spending Data, Texas PIRG, March 2012
- State Integrity Investigation: Texas report card, Center for Public Integrity, March 19, 2012
- Texas Transparency: Beyond Raw Data, LBJ School of Public Affairs, The University of Texas at Austin, May 5, 2011