MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
Wednesday, October 24, 2001
1:30 p.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
Wednesday, October 24, 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 Tom Haywood
Senator Robert Duncan Senator Jon Lindsay
Senator Troy Fraser Senator Carlos Truan
Senator Mike Jackson
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.
Senator Steve Ogden
Senator John Whitmire
Senator Judith Zaffirini
*****
The chair called the meeting to order at 1:35 p.m. There being a
quorum present, the following business was transacted:
The Chair welcomed the Senate Finance Members to the hearing.
Senator Ellis stated that this was the first hearing to be held since
the passing of Senator Tom Haywood and that his presence and wisdom
would be missed.
Senator Zaffirini moved that the Rules for the Senate Finance Interim
Committee be adopted. Without objection, it was so ordered.
Appointments of Subcommittee Chairs and Members were distributed while
the Chair gave a brief overview of each charge.
Invited Testimony
Charge 1: Tax System
James LeBas, representing the Comptroller of Public Accounts,
answered questions and gave a brief overview on the Texas Tax
System and 2002-03 Certification Revenue Estimate;
Charge 2: Medical Costs
Stephanie Coates, representing the Legislative Budget Board,
answered questions and provided an overview on State Expenditures
on Health Care Programs;
Commissioner Don Gilbert, representing the Health & Human Service
Commission, answered questions and addressed medical cost concerns
and limitations;
Charge 3: Health & Human Service Demands
Commissioner Don Gilbert, representing the Health & Human Service
Commission, answered questions and gave a brief overview on
Managing the demand for Health & Human Services Programs;
Charge 4: Spaceport Trust Fund
Daniel Estrada, representing the Legislative Budget Board, gave a
summary of the Spaceport Initiative at the Texas Aerospace
Commission;
William F. Looke, representing the Texas Aerospace Commission,
provided and update on implementation of Spaceport Pursuit Fund,
RFQ and other developments.
Charge 5: Crime Victims Fund
Stephanie Coates, representing the Legislative Budget Board,
reviewed expenditures to the Crime Victim's Compensation Fund.
Charge 6: Trauma Care Funding
Regina Martin, representing the Legislative Budget Board, answered
questions and provided a brief overview of the Expenditures for
Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Care.
Kathryn Perkins, representing the Texas Department of Health,
answered questions and provided a basic overview of Trauma Care in
the state of Texas.
There being no further business, at 3:55 p.m. Senator Ellis moved that
the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair.
Without objection, it was so ordered.
______________________
Senator Rodney Ellis, Chair
______________________
Amber Martin, Clerk