Legislative training organized

U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison was among the speakers at this year’s Pre-Session Legislative Conference, which was held in December at the LBJ School. Organized by the School’s Office of Professional Development and the Texas Legislature, the program briefs newly elected and returning state legislators on key government operations and critical issues they will face during the legislative session.

During her talk, Hutchison outlined her state and national agenda and asked state legislators to work with the federal government on such items as homeland security, military base closures, and transportation.

The LBJ School has coordinated this biennial event since 1970 and has cosponsored it jointly with the offices of the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House since 1976.

As in previous years, a number of LBJ School community members participated in the program. This year’s speakers and panelists included LBJ School Dean Ed Dorn; Deputy Comptroller of Public Accounts Billy Hamilton (LBJ Class of 1975); Texas State Senator Rodney Ellis (LBJ Class of 1977); former LBJ School Dean and former Texas State Senator Max Sherman; LBJ School Lecturer Tom Keel, former director of the Legislative Budget Board; and LBJ School Adjunct Professor Ken Ashworth, former Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board commissioner.

In September, the Office of Professional Development also cosponsored a conference with Strategic Partnerships, Inc., to bring state agency board members, executive directors, and government affairs directors up to date on changes in the state’s governmental structure.

A blue-ribbon panel of experts discussed legislative changes, budgetary issues, newly structured agencies, and how to effectively prepare and present testimony before the legislature. Among the speakers were Sheila Beckett (LBJ Class of 1977), who is the executive director of the Employees Retirement System, and John Opperman (LBJ Class of 1982), senior director for education, policy, and budget in the Governor’s Office.

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May 5, 2003
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