MINUTES
SENATE COMMITTEE ON BORDER AFFAIRS - SPECIAL
Wednesday, March 22, 2000
10:00 a.m.
The University of Texas at San Antonio
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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Border
Affairs - Special was held on Wednesday, March 22, 2000, at The
University of Texas at San Antonio.
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MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. Senator Teel Bivins
Senator David Sibley Senator Robert Duncan
Senator Eliot Shapleigh Senator Carlos Truan
Senator Judith Zaffirini
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The Chair called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m. There being
a quorum present, the following business was transacted:
Chairman Lucio asked for approval of the Border Affairs minutes
from the previous hearings. Senator Zaffirini moved approval of
the minutes; without objection, the minutes were approved.
Chairman Lucio gave opening remarks.
Senator Zaffirini gave opening remarks.
Dr. Ricardo Romo, president, The University of Texas at San
Antonio, gave welcoming remarks on behalf of The University of
Texas at San Antonio.
Councilwoman Debra Guerrero gave welcoming remarks on behalf of
the City of San Antonio.
Chairman Lucio recognized Councilman Enrique Barrera and thanked
him for attending the hearing.
At 10:35 a.m. Senator Sibley assumed the chair.
Mr. Robert Harrison, representing the Center for Transportation
Research, testified on interim charge #1.
At 10:58 a.m. Chairman Lucio resumed the chair.
Mr. Joe Krier, representing the Greater San Antonio Chamber of
Commerce, testified on the interim charges.
Ms. Jennifer Allis, representing the Office of the Secretary of
State, testified on interim charge #5 (SB 913).
At 11:30 a.m. Senator Sibley assumed the chair.
Mr. Ed Wueste, representing the Texas Department of
Transportation, testified on interim charge #5 (SB 913).
Senator Zaffirini asked Mr. Wueste how closely the Texas
Department of Transportation works with the Texas Border
Infrastructure Coalition. She stated that the Committee
addressed this issue at a previous hearing and asked Mr. Wueste
to ensure that their interaction and cooperation be prioritized.
She said she would raise the question again and hoped for a
positive answer.
At 11:54 a.m. Chairman Lucio resumed the chair.
Mr. Homer Cabello, representing the Texas Department of Housing
and Community Affairs, testified on interim charge #5 (SB 1421).
Ms. Laura Brown, representing the North American Development
Bank, testified on interim charge #2.
Senator Zaffirini stated that a recent conference in San Antonio
focused on health issues from an international perspective. The
North American Development Bank (NADB) monitored the conference.
She asked Ms. Brown to provide an update regarding NADB's
monitoring of the conference.
Chairman Lucio invited the NADB to work with the committee staff
to see what Texas can do to address the needs along the border
region through new state initiatives.
Mr. Greg Rothe, representing the San Antonio River Authority,
testified on interim charge #2.
Mr. Jerry Davidson, representing the Atascosa County Economic
Development Corporation, testified on the interim charges.
Chairman Lucio announced that the Committee would stand at ease.
At 2:00 p.m. the Committee reconvened.
Mr. Robert McKinley, representing The University of Texas at San
Antonio, testified on interim charge #4.
Chairman Lucio asked Mr. McKinley to work with the committee
staff to come up with several small business recommendations for
the border region and South Texas.
Mr. William Rasco, representing the Greater San Antonio Hospital
Council, testified on interim charge #3.
Senator Zaffirini asked Mr. Rasco to report back regarding his
recommendation as to what the Texas Legislature can do to
protect Disproportionate Share Hospital (DSH) dollars.
Senator Shapleigh asked Mr. Rasco if San Antonio and the
uncompensated care sector have a plan to cover everyone with
Universal Health Insurance. Mr. Rasco will report back to
Senator Shapleigh.
Dr. John Howe, representing The University of Texas Health
Science Center at San Antonio, testified on interim charge #3.
Dr. Howe recognized the Dean appointment, Mr. Leo Vela.
Senator Zaffirini made a motion to request that The U.T. Board
of Regents provide to the Committee a written response to the
concerns regarding the lack of Hispanics at UTHSCSA voiced by
Regent Tony Sanchez.
Dr. James Young, representing The University of Texas Health
Science Center at San Antonio, testified on interim charge #3.
Senator Shapleigh asked for the number of slots that are
available for Hispanic students in the allied health programs at
the Health Science Center. Mr. Young will report back to the
Committee.
Mr. James Kazen, representing The University of Texas Health
Science Center at San Antonio, testified on interim charge #3.
Chairman Lucio asked Mr. Kazen to contact the committee staff
and start working on Phase II of the South Texas Border Health
Education Initiative.
Ms. Vicki Perkins, representing the Health Care for Every Child
Coalition, testified on interim charge #3.
There being no further business, at 4:07 p.m. Chairman Lucio
moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of
the Chair; without objection, it was so ordered.
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Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., Chair
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Stephanie R. Hoover, Clerk