By Brendan Michael Steinhauser, Reporter, Gallery Watch.com
Austin, TX – The Sunset Advisory Commission met today to vote on the recommendations made on several state agencies by the Sunset staff. The only agency recommended to be abolished, after much discussion, was the Texas Department of Economic Development. It was recommended it be relocated under the umbrella of the governor's office, and renamed the Texas Economic Development Office. The motion to recommend to abolish the department was made by one of the public members, Dr. Tim Roth. Sen. Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) offered the amendment to relocate the department. She added that passing the amendment would save the state millions of dollars. Sen. Eliot Shapleigh (D-El Paso) suggested that the office adopt a mission statement. This motion was adopted along with Nelson's amendment.
Sen. Eddie Lucio (D-Brownsville) wanted the commission to recommend the creation of a special office for border economic development. He stated, "The border region has been historically underserved in this regard." Lucio, after being denied his request, called on the members to support legislation that would achieve the same ends during session. Nelson responded that she was confident Gov. Rick Perry would place a high priority on border issues.
The Commission then adopted most of the recommendations made by the Sunset staff for the following agencies: Funeral Service Commission; Housing and Community Affairs; Affordable Housing Corporation; Health and Human Services and Board of Tax Professional Examiners.
During the discussion about the Department of Human Services, Lucio expressed concern about the inability of many people to receive state services. He said that he had been made aware that many people were forced to wait in long lines before they could be helped. He added that the process had been taking up to three years in some cases. The Sunset staff concurred that there had been problems in rendering some state services.
The Commission then received a status report of the 2001 legislation. The staff reported that of 310 separate changes, 91 percent had been made already. Roth stated that something should be done to enforce implementation of the remaining changes. He questioned the staff on what the commission's options were. The staff responded that the commission could utilize a number of coercive measures. The commission decided to notify the appropriate committees about agency failures to implement changes.
The Commission then took up an old issue that had been voted on previously. The members were confused about what they had been voting on at the time. Therefore, Nelson suggested that the Commission vote again on the issue to make sure that their report to the legislature reflects the group's true intentions. The issue concerned the requirement of having an architect oversee certain buildings that are constructed.
Roth then presented two position papers concerning the structure of the Texas government system. He proposed an amendment to the Constitution that would change the state to a cabinet style system. He also proposed that judges be appointed as opposed to elected, due to the lack of information about candidates available to voters. Roth also mentioned that the federal government does not have a sunset process, and that the state should continue to end agencies that become unnecessary or inefficient.
After praising the sunset process herself, Nelson motioned that the Commission forward its recommendations to the 78th legislature. The group voted to do so.