SPI, LBJ School host Legislative Communication Conference Oct. 17

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release

State officials, executives to discuss budget, procurement, legislative priorities, other issues

AUSTIN, TX (9-24-18) – Issues for the upcoming 86^th Texas Legislature, which convenes Jan. 8, 2019, mirror hot button items dominating today’s news in Texas that affects state government. These issues, from the state economy to cybersecurity and the impact of Hurricane Harvey on the state budget, will be among the topics addressed by state officials and state agency executives during the Biennial Legislative Communication Conference on Oct. 17.

Jointly sponsored since 1998 by Strategic Partnerships, Inc. and The University of Texas LBJ School of Public Affairs, the regularly sold-out event offers attendees the opportunity to hear about upcoming legislative priorities first-hand from elected officials, senior staff in Texas government and others who are instrumental in shaping public policy.

The state budget will once again dominate the upcoming legislative session. The economy and how it will affect crafting the state budget will be addressed by State Comptroller Glenn Hegar. A deeper dive into state budget issues will be offered by Sherri Greenberg, clinical professor at the LBJ School, and Senate Finance Committee Vice-Chair Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa. Representatives of the Governor’s Office, the Lt. Governor’s Office and the Legislative Budget Board will make up a panel that will discuss key budget issues.

John Sharp, chancellor of the Texas A&M University System and leader of The Governor’s Commission to Rebuild Texas, will speak to the effects of Hurricane Harvey on the state budget and the state economy.

Senate Finance Committee member Sen. Kirk Watson will deliver the afternoon session’s keynote address on “Hometown Perspective.”

Two new issue-driven topics affecting state government have been added to this year’s conference agenda. Todd Kimbriel, deputy executive director of the Texas Department of Information Resources, and House Appropriations Committee member Rep. Giovanni Capriglione will partner to discuss cybersecurity issues. Tips on how to be successful in state government contracting and procurement engagements will be examined by state agency procurement and operations officials.

One of the conference’s most popular panels – pundits who offer their predictions for the upcoming legislative session – this year will feature Ross Ramsey, executive editor of The Texas Tribune, Quorum Report Publisher Harvey Kronberg and R.G. Ratcliffe, politics editor at Texas Monthly.

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About Strategic Partnerships, Inc.:

SPI is a full-service procurement consulting firm. The firm is recognized as a pioneer in the business of partnering public and private entities for commercial purposes. SPI was founded by Mary Scott Nabers, former statewide office holder in Texas and a published expert on public-private partnerships (P3s). For more information, contact SPI at 512-531-3900 or by visiting www.spartnerships.com.