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Nov 7, 2013

Agenda

Thursday Nov 07

Time Session
8:30 - 9:00AM

Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:00 - 9:30AM

Welcome and Opening Remarks


Introduction By:
9:30 - 10:15AM

Keynote - Keeping Texas Strong: Managing for Today and Investing in Tomorrow

In his opening day address on January 8, 2013, Speaker of the Texas House Joe Straus noted the strong economic performance of Texas relative to... more


Introduction By:
10:15 - 10:30AM

BREAK

10:30 - 11:30AM

Plenary Session - Managing for Today and Investing in Tomorrow: The Local Perspective

In the words of the State Budget Task Force's Texas Report, "Texas state government has a somewhat schizophrenic relationship with its local governments." The... more


Moderated by:
Panelists:
11:30 - 11:50AM

Town Hall Session: The Mission for Transparency, Truth and Accountability

Texas Comptroller Susan Combs has turned her passion for civic service into a mission for truth and accountability in government. Traveling the state she hosted... more


Speakers:
  • Susan Combs - Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, State of Texas
12:00 - 12:45PM

Lunch

12:45 - 1:30PM

Plenary Session - The Mission Continues: The Value of Public Service in 21st Century Texas

Well over a million people work for state and local government in Texas. As the Baby Boomers retire, replenishing and strengthening that workforce is... more


Moderated by:
Panelists:
  • Ann S. Bishop - Executive Director, Employees Retirement System, State of Texas
  • Rick Baker - President, The Edwards Group, former Mayor St. Petersburg, FL
1:30 PM

BREAK

1:45 - 2:45PM

Concurrent Sessions

 

Managing for Today: The Healthcare Challenge

Managing for Today: The Healthcare Challenge More than one in four Texans is uninsured, the highest percentage of any state, and Medicaid and similar health-related programs... more


Moderated by:
Panelists:
 

Investing in the Future: The Challenge of an Adequate Transportation System

"Everybody knows..." that Texas needs to spend billions on transportation to keep up with its burgeoning population growth. Texas' population has increased by nearly... more


Moderated by:
Panelists:
 

Better, Faster, Cheaper: Managing Government Today, Redefining Government for Tomorrow

Nationally, six straight years of revenue declines have put enormous pressure on cities to do more with less and to do it better. Some cities... more


Moderated by:
Panelists:
  • William H. Kuntz - Executive Director, Department of Licensing and Regulation, State of Texas
2:45 - 2:55PM

BREAK

2:55 - 3:55PM

Concurrent Sessions

 

Managing for Today: Meeting the Workforce Challenge

The high-minded things that government is supposed to do - keep our communities safe, educate our children, assure a safe and reliable water supply, develop... more


Moderated by:
Panelists:
  • Ken Levine - Director, Sunset Advisory Committee
  • Sherri Greenberg - Director, Center for Politics and Governance, LBJ School of Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin
 

Investing in the Future: Creating a Sustainable Financial System

With a strong and growing economy, revenues coming in far beyond forecasted amounts and a very healthy reserve fund, Texas is in far better financial... more


Moderated by:
Panelists:
  • Billy Hamilton - former Deputy Controller, State of Texas
  • John Gregg - former Co-Speaker, Indiana House of Representatives
  • Ross Ramsey - Executive Editor, The Texas Tribune
  • Ursula Parks - Director, Legislative Budget Board, State of Texas
4:00 - 5:00PM

Concurrent Sessions

 

Managing for Today: The Challenge of Providing Quality Public Education

The ongoing battle over the appropriate level and allocation of state funding for Texas' public schools is not simply a budget challenge; it is an... more


Moderated by:
Panelists:
 

Investing in the Future: The Challenge of Sufficient Water

With a population quickly outgrowing its now-antiquated water infrastructure, a water crisis looms in Texas' future. Emphasized by recent legal battles and drought, the... more


Moderated by:
Panelists:
5:00 - 6:00PM

Reception

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