MINUTES
Committee on Veteran Affairs & Military Installations
Wednesday, February 12, 2003
8:00 a.m.
Capitol Extension Auditorium
*****
Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule
11.18, a joint public hearing of the Committee was held on
Wednesday, February 12, 2003, in the Capitol Extension
Auditorium at Austin, Texas. The Texas House of Representatives'
Committee on Defense Affairs and State-Federal Relations, as
well as the Texas Strategic Military Planning Commission,
officially joined the Senate Committee in this hearing.
*****
MEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Leticia Van de Putte, Chair Senator Craig Estes,
Vice Chair
Senator Troy Fraser Senator Frank Madla
Senator Eliot Shapleigh (Both Estes and Madla
arrived later)
*****
Senator Leticia Van de Putte, Chair of the Texas Senate's
Committee on Veteran Affairs and Military Installations, called
the joint hearing to order at 8:07 a.m. The Clerk of that
Committee, Mr. Gregory D. Watson, called the roll (results shown
above). A quorum of that Committee was present.
Representative Frank J. Corte, Jr., Chair of the Texas House of
Representatives' Committee on Defense Affairs and State-Federal
Relations, called the House Committee to order at 8:08 a.m. The
Clerk of that Committee, Mr. Donovan Burton, called the roll of
that Committee. A quorum of that Committee was likewise
present.
Mr. William J. Ehrie, CEcD, Chair of the Texas Strategic
Military Planning Commission, called the Commission to order at
8:09 a.m., and himself ascertained that a quorum of that
Commission was likewise present.
A joint service color guard then ceremonially presented both the
American Flag and the Texas Flag to the joint hearing.
The pledge of allegiance to the American Flag was led by Miss
Lauren Monat, daughter of Coast Guard Veteran, George Monat.
The Invocation was offered by Chief Master Sergeant (Ret.)
Asbury Mitchell.
Senator Estes now present (8:15 a.m.)
Senator Van de Putte made general opening remarks.
Representative Corte made general opening remarks.
Senator Fraser commented on Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC)
issues.
Senator Shapleigh likewise commented on BRAC.
Representative Scott Campbell, of the House's Committee,
commented as to the economic impact of military bases within the
communities in which same are located.
Representative Gene Seaman, of the House's Committee, likewise
commented as to the economic impact of military bases within the
communities in which same are located.
Representative Tommy Merritt, of the House's Committee,
commented as to the explosion of the Space Shuttle Columbia in
the skies over eastern Texas and he commended the various local,
state, and federal agencies which responded to that explosion.
Representative Dianne W. Delisi, of the House's Committee,
commented as to the economic impact of military bases within the
communities in which same are located.
Senator Van de Putte commented as to the heroic actions of
agencies and private citizens relative to the explosion of the
Space Shuttle Columbia and then discussed housekeeping matters
relative to procedures for the Joint Hearing. She went on to
describe the social and economic impact--and general
security--of military bases within the communities in which same
are located. She stressed that BRAC issues must be addressed
during the current 78th Legislature.
Senator Shapleigh commented as to the role of the new standing
"Subcommittee on Base Realignment and Closure" (BRAC), of which
he is Chair; he stressed that BRAC issues must be addressed
during the current 78th Legislature and he went on to explain
the attributes of proposed legislation--not yet filed in the
78th Legislature which would:
align the agencies that deal with military preparedness under
the umbrella of the Office of the Governor;
create a Texas Military Preparedness Fund to make strategic
state investments in military bases to enhance their value;
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Wednesday, February 12, 2003
page 3
establish priorities within state agencies that deal with
military bases, such as the Texas Department of Transportation;
reduce the costs of utilities charged to military bases; and
focus upon how the children of military parents are to be
educated.
Senator Shapleigh went on to say that a strong effort should be
made to obtain political support for this proposed--but not yet
introduced--legislation.
Representative Rick Noriega, of the House's Committee, now
present (8:41 a.m.)
Mr. William J. Ehrie came forward to testify as to the economic
impact of military bases within the communities in which same
are located--as well as the implications to the state and
federal governments. He noted that it is crucial that the 78th
Legislature take appropriate action on BRAC issues inasmuch as
in late 2004 the very first steps of the closure process will
begin and the 79th Legislature in 2005 will already be behind
the curve and only be able to take "band-aid" measures to
respond to any closure(s) which might occur. Communities, state
government, and the federal government, must all work to keep
the U.S. Department of Defense informed as to the needs of the
community and of the state as to what each community has to
offer to the nation's overall defense effort, he asserted. He
specifically recommended state funding of efforts to retain all
existing--and even attract new--military installations. He
referred to "jointness" and "co-location" of military
installations to make Texas more attractive to the Department of
Defense. He noted the need to educate the children and spouses
of military personnel and a need for smooth transfers from
school to school or from university to university.
Representative Noriega expressed concerns to Chairman Ehrie
about "buffer space" and "encroachment" concerns in the Houston
area near Ellington Air Force Base, particularly relative to
rail lines carrying hazardous materials.
Chairman Ehrie noted the need for the Texas Congressional
Delegation to be fully aware of the implications of BRAC
proposals and about "buffer space" and "encroachment" concerns.
Representative Delisi asked what the Texas Military Strategic
Planning Commission is doing to ensure that all efforts relative
to BRAC are smoothly coordinated.
Chairman Ehrie responded by saying that the Commission and its
individual members are in frequent contact with the community,
with local governments, with state government, and with the
federal government on BRAC concerns.
Chairman Corte noted that the Joint Hearing is in possession of
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Wednesday, February 12, 2003
page 4
two documents--2005 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) "Talking
Paper" as of February 12, 2002, as well as a 2005 Base
Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Plan, General Information &
Timelines--both of which are available to the members of the
Joint Hearing and the audience.
Senator Fraser expressed concern about funding projects relative
to ports or highways for deployment routes. He expressed a need
to communicate with the Texas Department of Transportation
(TxDOT), and with members of the Texas Congressional Delegation,
to make specific requests as to specific roadway upgrade
projects--rather than being generic--and within a time certain.
Chairman Ehrie responded by saying that local governments must
do more to communicate such needs to the Texas Congressional
Delegation and to join with communications already being made by
TxDOT and state legislators.
Senator Van de Putte noted that two documents would be
officially made part of the Joint Hearing's record, those being
the Texas Strategic Military Planning Commission (TSMPC) State
Recommendations and the TSMPC Federal Recommendations as to
minimizing the negative impacts of military spending reductions.
Mr. Ralph C. Gauer, Vice Chairman of the TSMPC, came forward to
testify on previous rounds of military spending reductions
occurring in years 1989, 1991, 1993, and 1995, and their lack of
relationship with the current projected 2005 BRAC process. All
experiences before 2005 were pegged on service-oriented
reductions in structure--basically the armed services themselves
determined what reductions would occur. In the upcoming 2005
BRAC process, Secretary Rumsfeld and the Office of the Secretary
of Defense (OSD) community will control all aspects. Even the
term "military value" itself has taken on an expanded meaning,
covering large regions and even entire states, rather than
localities. Now, quality-of-life issues will be measurable and
quantifiable in measuring one state versus another state when
deciding which military installations to close and which to keep
operating. He recommended that in 2003 a fresh report be issued
by the state to the federal government extolling the benefits of
keeping in operation those military facilities located in Texas.
Gauer also provided written testimony.
Senator Van de Putte took a few moments to recognize the various
local elected officials present in the audience.
The slide presentation then commenced with information provided
by Ehrie and Gauer. It was stressed that a statewide, cohesive
effort must be made to retain military facilities and that there
not be splinter groups pitting various parts of the state
against other parts of the state. Results of the Military
Partnership Survey were alluded to.
Mr. Larry Silvey of the Texas Aerospace Commission appeared (in
place of Mr. Bill Looke) and came forward to testify on the
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Wednesday, February 12, 2003
page 5
Community Military Partnership Survey and the meanings of its
results. Data were collected from various sources and entered
into a unified database. Community relationships, property,
services, utilities, privatization, legislation, infrastructure,
quality-of-life, military value, efficiencies, cost-savings, and
real estate, were among the many factors taken into
consideration. One of the strengths in Texas is the strong
social relationship between military facilities in Texas and the
local communities in which they are located. Mr. Silvey
narrated a concomitant slide presentation.
Representative Noriega then asked if discontinued military
installations in Texas would qualify under a community master
plan to be included in programs for enterprise zones that the
Texas Department of Economic Development operates. Silvey did
not know the answer to that question. Noriega then observed
that a discontinued military installation could be utilized for
improved infrastructure and specifically flood-prevention
efforts. Silvey responded that the observation was valid.
Senator Madla now present (9:39 a.m.)
Senator Madla noted in response to Noriega that, yes,
discontinued military installations could--under very specific
circumstances and with the enactment of specific
legislation--qualify as enterprise zones.
Senator Van de Putte noted the need for the House members of the
Joint Hearing to recess in order to attend the session of the
House of Representatives at 10:00 a.m. and she requested that
witnesses keep their testimony brief in view of the fact that
the Senate session would commence at 11:00 a.m. She noted that
Texas is in competition with other states in retaining military
bases.
Mr. Tom Rumora, of the City of San Antonio, came forward to
testify as to "encroachment" concerns and about approaches taken
in other states to maintain their threatened military facilities
and noted the existence of inter-governmental squabbling and
poor organizational structure which then harmed efforts in other
states to retain military facilities. He went on to note the
potential for military installations to be utilized as
educational and training facilities for average citizens. He
noted the need to reduce utility expenses to military
facilities.
Representative Corte interjected at 9:52 a.m. that the House
members would need to leave in order to register their presence
at the session of the House of Representatives. That Committee
recessed.
Mr. Rumora continued his testimony relative to how other states
and localities have failed to offer a unified front and
consequently lost military facilities. He noted that, in
general, state governments had been non-participatory in prior
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Wednesday, February 12, 2003
page 6
BRAC processes. He pointed out concerns relative to damage to
the environment caused by some military facilities and tied it
into infrastructure difficulties. He noted the need for
statewide "jointness" between all levels of government.
Senator Madla then asked what would be done--once a based is
slated for closure--to make the federal government speed up the
closure so that investors interested in converting the site can
proceed quickly with the conversion process. Rumora agreed and
responded by saying that there must be flexibility--currently
lacking--in the final closure of an ill-fated facility.
Senator Van de Putte noted the strategic positioning of U.S.
Senator John Cornyn. She then introduced Mr. Gary Bushell, of
the South Texas Military Facilities Task Force, who came forward
to testify that Florida and Arizona have hired lobbyists to work
in Washington, D.C., to retain military facilities. He did not
see a need for Texas to hire any lobbyists for that purpose. He
noted that California has undertaken a study of "encroachment"
concerns. He pointed out that Texas must take a statewide,
pro-active approach and present a unified front to the federal
government in order to minimize the pain of potential military
facility realignment and closure. He noted that some military
installations have been converted into museums and into other
community-enhancement facilities. He stressed the need to
communicate constantly with the Department of Defense and the
Texas Congressional Delegation.
Senator Van de Putte noted that recent budget cuts at the state
level barring or reducing out-of-state travel would hamper such
contacts with persons in Washington, D.C. She went on to
recognize persons in the audience who have played roles
throughout the 77th Legislature's interim in BRAC-related
discussions.
General H. G. (Pete) Taylor (Ret.), Chairman, Military Child
Education Coalition, came forward to testify as to the needs
of--and problems connected with--educating the youth of parents
who are serving in the military. Almost all of such youth in
Texas attend public schools, he asserted. He spoke of the
traumas of students moving from location to location to location
and, therefore, from school to school to school, and how
tremendously disruptive these changes are to the student's
education. He addressed the issue of "high-stakes testing" exit
exams--which are now required by the laws of numerous
states--and the lack of comprehensive reciprocity agreements
between the states regarding such exit exams. He noted that
Texas law still requires such a student to re-take the exit exam
despite the fact that he or she had already done so in another
state. He mentioned House Bill No. 591, by Delisi, of the
current 78th Legislature, which would establish such
reciprocity.
Senator Van de Putte echoed the need for such reciprocity.
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Wednesday, February 12, 2003
page 7
Taylor went on to state that the Texas Education Agency (TEA)
should work administratively on this and other closely-related
concerns.
Senator Van de Putte called upon Mr. Ed Davis, of the City of
San Antonio, who came forward to testify relative to defense
community initiatives. He noted that the City of San Antonio,
at the municipal level, has taken a pro-active approach to try
to avert military facility reductions. He noted that a $5
billion economic impact to the city and state exists presently
in San Antonio. He pointed out the importance of the military
value--not their local economic impact--as what truly concerns
the federal government when it comes to evaluating the
continuation or the closure of military facilities. He noted
the many initiatives that the City of San Antonio has undertaken
to prepare for the 2005 BRAC process and he pointed out just how
beneficial the facilities in the San Antonio area are to the
nation's military preparedness.
Representatives Corte and John Mabry (a member of the House's
Committee who was present earlier) returned to the Joint Hearing
at 10:25 a.m.
Davis' testimony continued in which he noted that at the
now-closed Brooks Air Force Base, there are actually examples in
which missions are still in progress and the federal government
presently pays the City of San Antonio to conduct such missions
at the now "Brooks City Base." Additionally, the City of San
Antonio pays for utilities to the facility, thereby saving the
federal government even more money.
Representatives Merritt and Noriega returned to the Joint
Hearing at 10:32 a.m.
Chairman Dick Messbarger, Texas Defense Aviation, Aerospace
Alliance, came forward to testify on the subject of
privatization of military housing. He noted legislation in
Washington, D.C. offered by U.S. Representative Solomon Ortiz
and by U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison. He stated that
private-public ventures have been successful in providing
quality military housing at a reasonable cost to the taxpayer.
Reference was made to a "Military Preparedness Act," to a
"Brooks City Base," and to a "Brooks Development Authority."
Representative Delisi returned to the Joint Hearing at 10:47
a.m.
Chairman Corte, at 10:47 a.m., gaveled the House's Committee on
Defense Affairs and State-Federal Relations back into session
and its Clerk, Mr. Donovan Burton, called the roll. A quorum of
that Committee was again announced present.
Messbarger then concluded his testimony by pointing to the
benefits of local initiatives, and that waiting upon the federal
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Wednesday, February 12, 2003
page 8
government to take initiatives is unwise. He did note, however,
the wisdom of partnering with the Department of Defense.
Representative Noriega discussed with Messbarger what the cost
per unit would be of the military housing that Messbarger
referred to in his testimony.
Representative Campbell returned to the Joint Hearing at 10:49
a.m.
General Paul Roberson, of San Antonio, came forward to testify
relative to the economic impact of military facilities in the
San Antonio region and the 1995 closure of Kelly Air Force Base.
He outlined the subsequent history of Kelly and the purposes for
which that facility has been used since it left federal control.
He also referred to the Brooks City Base "model" in which a
municipal government steps in to salvage and then revitalize a
closed military installation. He referred to the Fort Sam
Houston "model" which is still largely a continuing, active
installation--but with a new hospital constructed by private
developers and constitutes "enhanced leasing" for private
purposes. It could, however, one day return to public usage, he
indicated. Assessment of military value should use past
closures as models of success--or for mistakes to avoid.
Senator Van de Putte introduced to the audience the staff of the
Senate Committee and then she recessed the Senate Committee at
10:54 a.m., subject to the call of the Chair.
Commissioner Robert Nichols, of the Texas Department of
Transportation, then came forward to testify on the
transportation concerns relative to the 2005 round of BRAC. He
addressed problems relative to deployment routes. He noted
Senate Bill No. 907 of the 77th Legislature which prompted TxDOT
to conduct a study relative to the roadway routes leading to
military facilities and to improve access to such
facilities--especially military personnel utilizing such routes
to travel to and from military facilities. He noted the
economic impact of ease of access to military facilities. He
noted that TxDOT will be highly sensitive to the transportation
needs of military facilities and the needs of those who interact
with military facilities.
At 11:00 a.m., there being no further business to transact,
Representative Campbell, seconded by Representative Mabry, moved
that the Joint Hearing adjourn. There being no objection, the
motion carried.
_______________________________________________________
Senator Leticia Van de Putte, Chair
Minutes
Wednesday, February 12, 2003
page 9
_______________________________________________________
Gregory D. Watson, Committee Clerk