MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NOMINATIONS

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

1:00 p.m. or thirty minutes upon adjournment

Senate Chamber

 

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Nominations was held on Wednesday, April 1, 2009, in the Senate Chamber.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:

 

MEMBERS ABSENT:

Senator Mike Jackson

Senator Kevin Eltife

Senator Glenn Hegar

Senator Jane Nelson

 

Senator Robert Nichols

Senator Eliot Shapleigh

Senator Kirk Watson

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 6:37 p.m.  The following business was transacted: 

 

Chairman Jackson called to the table Cydney Donnell and Don Wood, nominated to the Employees Retirement System of Texas Board of Trustees.

 

The chair recognized Senator Seliger to introduce Don Wood.  Senator Seliger briefly detailed the career and accomplishments of Wood, and recommended him to the committee.

 

The chair recognized Senator Duncan to introduce J. David Nelson, nominated to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice.  Senator Duncan briefly detailed the career and accomplishments of Nelson, and highly recommended him to the committee.

 

The chair recognized Senator Hinojosa to introduce Carmen Villanueva-Hiles, nominated to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice.  Senator Hinojosa briefly detailed the career and accomplishments of Villanueva-Hiles, and recommended her to the committee.

 

The chair recognized Senator Davis to introduce Janice Lord, nominated to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice.  Davis briefly detailed the career and accomplishments of Lord, and recommended her to the committee.

 

Upon arrival of a quorum, Senator Nelson moved adoption of the minutes from the previous hearing held on March 25, 2009; without objection, it was so ordered.

 

Chairman Jackson recognized Cydney Donnell to address the committee.  Donnell introduced herself and gave an overview of ERS.

 

Chairman Jackson asked the nominees to summarize the current status of the ERS fund.

 

Donnell responded that the fund has suffered recent losses with the downturn in the economy.  Donnell continued to say that the fund is diversified in such a way that it will remain viable in the long-term.

 

Chairman Jackson asked if the employee contribution to the fund is where it needs to be.

 

Donnell responded that she does not believe the employee contributions to the fund are high enough, especially considering the current economy.  Donnell emphasized that increased employee contributions will be part of the long-term strategy of the fund.

 

Chairman Jackson asked Wood to comment on his brief experience on the board of ERS.  Wood responded that he believes that ERS is doing well.

 

Chairman Jackson thanked the nominees for their willingness to serve, and emphasized the importance of ERS.

 

Senator Nelson moved that the committee vote to approve the nominations of Cydney Donnell and Don Wood to the Employees Retirement System of Texas Board of Trustees.  At 6:55 p.m., by a vote of 4 ayes and 0 nays, the committee voted to recommend the nominees to the full Senate for confirmation.

 

Chairman Jackson called to the table Oliver Bell, Eric Gambrell, Janice Lord, Terrell McCombs, J. David Nelson, and Carmen Villanueva-Hiles, nominated to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice.  Bell was unable to attend due to a prior arrangement.  Lord was excused due to a conflict with her travel schedule.

 

The chair recognized Senator Hegar to introduce Gambrell on behalf of Senator Carona.  Senator Hegar briefly detailed the career and accomplishments of Gambrell, and recommended him to the committee.

 

Chairman Jackson recognized Terrell McCombs to address the committee.  McCombs briefly detailed his career and expressed his desire to improve the efficiency of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice.

 

Chairman Jackson asked the nominees to comment on the problem of inmates obtaining cell phones in prison, and the possibility of jamming cell phone signals in and around prisons.

Gambrell responded that under current federal law the use of cell phone jamming devices is illegal.  Gambrell commented on the lockdown last fall that determined the primary problem areas for the contraband.

 

Chairman Jackson recognized Senator Nelson for questions.

 

Senator Nelson asked the nominees to comment further on the federal restrictions on cell phone jamming.

 

Gambrell commented that even test runs of the cell phone jamming technology are prohibited.  Gambrell and McCombs stressed that there is a strong effort to change the federal law.

 

Chairman Jackson commented on the approved increase in officers' salaries, and asked the nominees to speak on the most important issue facing the Board of Criminal Justice.

 

McCombs responded that officer pay is the most important issue for the department.

 

Chairman Jackson asked if the department is still understaffed.

 

Gambrell responded that they are currently understaffed, but the current economic situation has facilitated a better rate of retention.  Gambrell echoed the assertion that the most significant issue for the agency is increased officer pay.

 

The chair recognized Senator Nelson for a comment.  Senator Nelson commented on the current state of the Texas prison system.

 

The chair recognized Senator Eltife for a comment.  Senator Eltife stressed the importance of the 10% pay raise for department employees that is currently appropriated in the Senate budget.

 

Senator Eltife moved that the committee vote to approve the nominations of Oliver Bell, Eric Gambrell, Janice Lord, Terrell McCombs, J. David Nelson, and Carmen Villanueva-Hiles to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice.  At 7:11 p.m., by a vote of 4 ayes and 0 nays, the committee voted to recommend the nominees to the full Senate for confirmation.

 

Chairman Jackson called to the table Rev. B.W. McClendon, nominated to the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission.  Jean Boyd, Scott O'Grady, and Bob Shults were unable to appear due to scheduling conflicts.  Their appearances were waived by the committee.

 

Chairman Jackson introduced McClendon on behalf of Senator Watson.  Chairman Jackson briefly detailed the career and accomplishments of McClendon.

 

Chairman Jackson asked McClendon to share his observations on the current status of the Juvenile Probation Commission.

 

McClendon responded that he is still trying to get a good feel for the agency.  McClendon also expressed his desire to help young people through his role on the commission.

 

The chair recognized Senator Hegar for a comment.

 

Senator Hegar briefly detailed his involvement with the Sunset Commission's recommendations for the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission and the Texas Youth Commission.  Senator Hegar commended the achievements of the TJPC and requested that the commission work to make sure that decisions are made in the best interests of the kids in the system.

 

Senator Eltife moved that the committee vote to approve the nominations of Jean Boyd, B.W. McClendon, Scott O'Grady, and Bob Shults to the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission.  At 7:22 p.m., by a vote of 4 ayes and 0 nays, the committee voted to recommend the nominees to the full Senate for confirmation.

 

Chairman Jackson called to the table Cherie Townsend, nominated as the Texas Youth Commission Executive Commissioner.  Chairman Jackson introduced Townsend to the committee on behalf of Senator Watson. 

 

Chairman Jackson invited Townsend to address the committee.

 

Townsend commented on the current status of the reforms being instituted at the commission, and asked that the Legislature provide for the reforms to continue.

 

Chairman Jackson asked Townsend to comment on the Sunset Commission recommendation that the TJPC and the TYC be merged.

 

Townsend responded that she believes the current focus should be on achieving the desired reforms rather than the structural organization of the commission.  Townsend stressed the need for collaboration between the two agencies.

 

Chairman Jackson asked if Townsend believes the commission is on the right track to correct its problems.

 

Townsend responded that she believes great progress has been and continues to be made within the agency.

 

Chairman Jackson asked Townsend to provide a broad timeline for the successful implementation of the reforms currently being implemented.

 

Townsend responded that another two years should be sufficient time to judge the performance of the reforms.

 

The chair recognized Senator Hegar for a comment.  Senator Hegar expressed confidence in Townsend, and thanked her for her service.

 

The chair recognized Senator Eltife for a comment.  Senator Eltife thanked Townsend for her cooperation with the Finance Committee during the budget process, and commended her willingness to serve.

 

Senator Hegar moved that the committee vote to approve the nomination of Cherie Townsend as the Texas Youth Commission Executive Commissioner.  At 7:30 p.m., by a vote of 4 ayes and 0 nays, the committee voted to recommend Townsend to the full Senate for confirmation.

 

Senator Eltife moved that the committee vote to approve the nominations of the individuals nominated to the following entities: Correctional Managed Health Care Committee, Crime Stoppers Advisory Council, Commission on Jail Standards, State Board for Educator Certification, Judicial Compensation Commission, State Commission on Judicial Conduct, Texas Judicial Council, Texas Board of Professional Land Surveying, Produce Recovery Fund Board, and the Product Development and Small Business Incubator Board.  At 7:31 p.m., by a vote of 4 ayes and 0 nays, the committee voted to recommend the nominees to the full Senate for confirmation.

 

There being no further business, at 7:32 p.m. Senator Jackson moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Senator Mike Jackson, Chair

 

 

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Brian Carey, Clerk