Policy Orientation - 2015: Full Schedule

1:30pm CST

Rethinking Mental Health: Are We Throwing the Right Life Lines to People with Mental Illness - Center for Health Care Policy

Mental Health is on many legislators’ minds as we move into this coming legislative session. Panelists will critically discuss the implications of mental health practices and policies that mental healthcare advocates are promoting. In light of the Sunset Commission’s recommendations for the Department of State Health Services, legislators must consider whether the mental health services available in Texas are actually providing the right kind of help. This panel will discuss the future of mental healthcare and the most prudent ways to move toward a more efficient, effective system of care.

Moderators

Kate Murphy

Mental Health Fellow, Texas Public Policy Foundation

Kate E. Murphy is the Hogg Mental Health Policy Fellow contributing to the centers for Effective Justice and Health Care at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Kate interned for Justice Johnson at the Texas Supreme Court. She was also a Judge K.K. Legett Fellow. As part of the program... Read More →

Speakers

Leon Evans

President and Chief Executive Officer, The Center for Health Care Services

For the past thirty eight years, Leon Evans has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of people with mental illness. As President and Chief Executive Officer at The Center for Health Care Services, Evans has developed an innovative and highly integrated system of care for people... Read More →

Colleen Horton

Director of Policy, Hogg Foundation for Mental Health

Colleen Horton is the Director of Policy at the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, part of the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement at the University of Texas.

Tom Luce

Chief Executive Officer, The Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute for Texas

Tom Luce, Chief Executive Officer, was a founding partner of Hughes & Luce, LLP, a prominent Texas law firm. In addition to his legal service, Tom has engaged in public service for more than 30 years. He has been appointed to major posts by Texas governors five times, including... Read More →

Wednesday January 7, 2015 1:30pm - 2:40pm CST
Capitol View Terrace North 701 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78701

Life: A series of discussions and debates on individual flourishing

Tags Center for Health Care Policy

3:00pm CST

21st Century Juvenile Justice: A Texas-sized Problem - Center for Effective Justice

Texas has made dramatic progress over the last several years in reducing juvenile incarceration and, most importantly, cutting juvenile crime. Come hear how Texas is coping with the difficulties – and capitalizing on the opportunities – unique to juvenile justice, and learn about ideas for next session that break the cycle of delinquency and put more troubled Texas kids on the right track.

Moderators

Derek Cohen

Director, Texas Public Policy Foundation

Dr. Derek Cohen is the director of the Center for Effective Justice and Right on Crime at the Texas Public Policy Foundation.Dr. Cohen graduated with a B.S. in criminal justice from Bowling Green State University, and earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in criminal justice from the University... Read More →

Speakers

Chelsea Buchholtz

Chief of Staff, Texas Juvenile Justice Department

Chelsea Buchholtz joined TJJD in August of 2012 as deputy general counsel and became general counsel in April of 2014. She is a former Texas Governor’s appointee of the Juvenile Justice Services and Facilities Transition Team, which coordinated and oversaw the transition of services... Read More →

Tony Fabelo

Director, Research

Tony Fabelo is in charge of developing and implementing the research agenda for the CSG Justice Center. He also provides technical assistance to state and local governments to help make more efficient use of state and local taxpayer dollars. Before joining the CSG Justice Center... Read More →

Sen. Jose Rodriguez

District 29, Texas State Senate

José Rodríguez represents Texas Senate District 29, which includes the counties of ElPaso, Hudspeth, Culberson, Jeff Davis, and Presidio. He represents both urban and rural constituencies, and more than 350 miles of the Texas-Mexico border. Prior to his election to the Texas Senate... Read More →

Rep. James White

District 19, Texas House of Representatives

James White is a native Texan and grew up in Houston, where he attended public schools. He graduated with honors from Prairie View A&M University in 1986 with a degree in political science and military science. The United States Congress subsequently commissioned James as an officer... Read More →

Wednesday January 7, 2015 3:00pm - 4:10pm CST
Capitol Ballroom FG 701 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78701

Life: A series of discussions and debates on individual flourishing

Tags Center for Effective Justice

9:45am CST

Texas' Brewing Property Tax Revolt - Center for Local Governance

Texas’ property tax system is consistently rated as one of the most cumbersome in the U.S., and recent trends suggest that the problem will only continue to get worse unless significant reforms are enacted. This panel will discuss what reforms, if any, can help alleviate Texas’ brewing property tax revolt.

Moderators

James Quintero

Director of the Center for Local Governance, Texas Public Policy Foundation

James Quintero is the policy director for the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Government for the People initiative. Having joined the Foundation in 2008, Quintero’s research covers a wide range of issues, mostly related to local government matters, including: taxes, spending... Read More →

Speakers

Sen. Paul Bettencourt

District 7, Texas State Senate

Paul Bettencourt is the Chief Executive Officer of Bettencourt Tax Advisors, LLC; KSEV Radio personality; former Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector; and currently the Senator-Elect for Texas State Senate, District 7 (which he won with 71.8% of the vote in his district). Bettencourt... Read More →

Dick Lavine

Senior Fiscal Analyst, Center for Public Policy Priorities

Dick Lavine focuses on state and local revenue issues at the Center for Public Policy Priorities. Before coming to the Center in 1994, he was a Senior Researcher at the House Research Organization of the Texas House of Representatives for ten years. He is a Chartered Financial Analyst... Read More →

Hon. Robert Rivera

Councilman, District 3, City of Arlington

Councilman Robert Rivera represents the portion of Arlington bounded primarily by Matlock Road on the west, Pioneer Parkway on the north. District 3 includes a portion of the I-20 business corridor, the Arlington Municipal Airport, Tarrant County College, and the Arlington Highlands. In... Read More →

Sen. Kirk Watson

District 14, Texas State Senate

Kirk Watson is State Senator for District 14. He is a lawyer and former Austin Mayor. He currently is a partner with the law firm Husch Blackwell, LLP. In addition, he is former Chair of both the Texas Advisory Board for Environmental Defense and the Greater Austin Chamber... Read More →

Thursday January 8, 2015 9:45am - 10:55am CST
Capitol View Terrace South 701 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78701

Life: A series of discussions and debates on individual flourishing

Tags Center for Local Governance

11:10am CST

Liberty Cities on Display - Center for Local Governance

All around the state, city governments are forming which are limited in scope and unlimited in potential. These “Liberty Cities” are pledging to keep taxes as low as possible, even to the point of not having a property tax. They are avoiding burdensome regulations on their citizens. And they are doing whatever they can to make government the servant of the people instead of the master.

Moderators

Jess Fields

Senior Policy Analyst, Texas Public Policy Foundation

Jess Fields is Senior Policy Analyst in the Center for Local Governance at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, one of the largest conservative state-level public policy think tanks in the United States. Fields served on the College Station City Council from 2010 to 2013, representing... Read More →

Speakers

Hon. Ernest Gay

Mayor Pro Tem, City of Sandy Oaks

Born in Oakville, Ontario, Canada in 1953 and immigrated to the United States in 1955. I Became a United States Citizen in 1961 when the family moved to San Antonio. Graduated from Highlands High School in 1971 and Entered the San Antonio Police Department in January 1973. Later... Read More →

Bob Grafe

Current Activities: Kingsbury Incorporation Committee – Vice Chairman – Volunteer Executive Assistant – Guadalupe County Judge’s Office Program Director/Court Coordinator – Guadalupe County Veterans Treatment Court Lawn & Garden Show - Talk Show Host – KWED 1580-AM... Read More →

Rep. David Simpson

District 7, Texas House of Representatives

David Simpson was grateful to be elected State Representative of House District 7 in 2010 after defeating a seven-term incumbent in the March Republican primary and then a general election challenge that November. He was then re-elected by a large margin in the 2012 Republican... Read More →

Hon. Art Martinez de Vara

Mayor, City of Von Ormy

Art Martinez de Vara is the founder and Mayor of the City of Von Ormy, Texas. He attended the University of Texas, and obtained his law degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law. He has served as the Chief of Staff to State Rep. John Garza and currently serves as Chief of... Read More →

Thursday January 8, 2015 11:10am - 12:20pm CST
Capitol Ballroom FG 701 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78701

Life: A series of discussions and debates on individual flourishing

Tags Center for Local Governance

2:00pm CST

Protecting Property Rights Amidst the Texas Miracle - Center for Economic Freedom

The Texas economy keeps growing and providing economic opportunity and affordable housing for millions of Texans—old and new. Texas’ relatively strong property rights protections have played a large role in this, allowing businesses to expand and housing to increase. But more protection is needed as Texas’ growing population makes the state, local governments, and private entities more likely to condemn or restrict the use of private property.

Moderators

Kathleen Hunker

Policy Analyst, Center for Economic Freedom, Texas Public Policy Foundation

Kathleen Hunker is a policy analyst with the Center for Economic Freedom at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. She is also a managing editor of the Foundation’s research and publications. Prior to joining the Foundation, Hunker worked as a legal associate at the Cato Institute’s... Read More →

Speakers

Luke Ellis

Partner, Johns Marrs Ellis & Hodge, LLP

Luke Ellis is recognized as one of Texas’s top lawyers practicing in the area of eminent domain. He focuses exclusively on representing Texas property owners facing condemnation and eminent domain proceedings. His clients include Fortune 500 companies, individual owners of shopping... Read More →

Sen. Lois Kolkhorst

District 18, Texas State Senate

Lois W. Kolkhorst is a member of the Texas House of Representatives, serving House District 13, which includes Austin, Burleson, Colorado, Fayette, Grimes, Lavaca and Washington Counties. Her district spans over five-thousand square miles of rural Texas, from the Brazos Valley... Read More →

Christopher Mosley

Senior Assistant City Attorney, City of Fort Worth

Chris Mosley joined the City Attorney’s Office in November, 1996. His primary practice is in the areas of general civil litigation, eminent domain and bankruptcy.Prior to joining the City Attorney’s Office, Chris Mosley worked with Krause Hollansworth and Reeves in Dallas (1995-1996... Read More →

Randal O'Toole

Senior Fellow, Cato Institute

Randal O’Toole is a Cato Institute Senior Fellow working on urban growth, public land, and transportation issues. O’Toole’s research on national forest management, culminating in his 1988 book, Reforming the Forest Service, has had a major influence on Forest Service policy... Read More →

Thursday January 8, 2015 2:00pm - 3:10pm CST
Capitol Ballroom FG 701 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78701

Life: A series of discussions and debates on individual flourishing

Tags Center for Economic Freedom

3:25pm CST

Texas and Immigration: State Solutions for a National Challenge - Special Feature

Immigration is a pressing issue for Texas, with hundreds of miles of international border on the south. Yet the federal government seems hard-pressed to find solutions for this perennial issue. What can and should the state of Texas do to address the immigration challenge?

Moderators

John Fund

Commentator, Columnist, Author

John Fund is National Affairs Columnist for National Review magazine and a contributor to the Fox News Channel. He is considered a notable expert on American politics and the nexus between politics and economics.He previously served as a columnist and editorial board member for... Read More →

Speakers

Sen. Craig Estes

District 30, Texas State Senate

Estes, R-Wichita Falls, has represented SD-30 since his election to the Texas Senate in 2001. He is chairman of the State Affairs Committee as well as the Committee on Agriculture, Rural Affairs, and Homeland Security. Estes is vice chairman of the Natural Resources Committee, sits... Read More →

JoAnn Fleming

Executive Director, Grassroots America

A leader in the constitutional conservative movement for twenty-two years, JoAnn Fleming is the executive director of Grassroots America – We the People, the largest constitutional conservative organization in East Texas and one of the largest in the state. She is the two-term Chair... Read More →

Alex Nowrasteh

Policy Analyst, Immigration, Cato Institute

Alex Nowrasteh is the immigration policy analyst at the Cato Institute. His popular work has appeared in many newspapers including the Wall Street Journal, the Houston Chronicle, the Boston Globe, the San Jose Mercury, Politico and elsewhere. His scholarly publications have... Read More →

Rep. Matt Schaefer

District 6, Texas House of Representatives

State Representative Matt Schaefer has broad and unique experience in the private sector and in public service. His work ethic, family life, faith in God, and commitment to country led Matt to be a strong conservative leader for East Texas. Matt is currently a Lieutenant Commander... Read More →

Rep. Paul Workman

District 47, Texas House of Representatives

First elected in 2010 and re-elected in 2012, State Representative Paul D. Workman has served the people of House District 47 in the Texas House of Representatives since January 2011. House District 47 includes most of western Travis County as well as portions of southern Travis County.Representative... Read More →

Thursday January 8, 2015 3:25pm - 4:35pm CST
Capitol Ballroom FG 701 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78701

Life: A series of discussions and debates on individual flourishing

Tags Special Feature

9:45am CST

Halting The Feds at The State Line: States Learn to Command Respect - Center for Tenth Amendment Action

Federal agencies are steamrolling every barrier, but yet counties, local governments, and states are learning to score wins against the federal abuse of power. Examples of carefully planned strategic wins are models for repeat victories in the areas of Endangered Species, the EPA and energy, and federal command of state spending. When coordinated planning leads to smart game plans, federal overreach can be reversed.

Moderators

Karen Lugo

Senior Fellow, Center for Tenth Amendment Action, Texas Public Policy Foundation

Karen Lugo is a Senior Fellow for Tenth Amendment Action at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. She joined the Foundation in September 2013. As Co-Director of the Center for Constitutional Jurisprudence Center in California, Lugo has submitted circuit-level and Supreme Court amicus briefs... Read More →

Speakers

Hon. Susan Combs

Comptroller, State of Texas

On her fourth day as Texas Comptroller in 2007, Combs made all of her agency’s expenditures publicly available online. That fall, she posted expenditures for all state agencies. This launched what has been widely recognized as the nation’s most innovative transparency effort... Read More →

Rep. Ken Ivory

District 47, Utah House of Representatives

Ken Ivory (R-UT, District 47) was elected to the Utah House of Representatives in November of 2010. He and his wife, Becky are the parents of four children. Given the daunting challenges that face the state and the nation, Ken took time from his business, mediation, and estate planning... Read More →

Hon. Greg Walcher

Founder & President, Natural Resources Group

Greg Walcher is one of the most recognized and respected national leaders in natural resources policy. He is Founder and President of the Natural Resources Group, a nationwide ad-hoc coalition of consultants with natural resources expertise. He is also a partner in the global... Read More →

Friday January 9, 2015 9:45am - 10:55am CST
Capitol View Terrace North 701 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78701

Life: A series of discussions and debates on individual flourishing

Tags Center for Tenth Amendment Action

11:10am CST

Protecting Property Rights in Texas Water Law - Armstrong Center for Energy & the Environment

For Texas water markets to function properly, secure and well-defined private property rights are necessary. Come and hear our panel of experts discuss what changes we can make to state law to get water flowing in Texas.

Moderators

Hon. Kathleen Hartnett White

Director, Armstrong Center for Energy & the Environment, Texas Public Policy Foundation

Kathleen Hartnett White joined the Texas Public Policy Foundation in January 2008. She is a Distinguished Senior Fellow-in-Residence and Director of the Armstrong Center for Energy & the Environment. Prior to joining the Foundation, White served a six-year term as Chairman and Commissioner... Read More →

Speakers

Molly Cagle

Partner, Baker Botts

Molly counsels clients on virtually every kind of environmental matter and represents them before various agencies and in federal and state courts. Chambers USA described her in their 2004 publication of America’s Leading Business Lawyers as a “renaissance lawyer, a true litigator... Read More →

Bob Harden

Vice President, R. W. Harden & Associates, Inc

Bob Harden is Vice President of R.W. Harden & Associates, Inc. With over 40 years of experience in Texas, the United States, and internationally, the firm provides successful strategies to the most challenging groundwater hydrology problems. Past clients include municipalities, water... Read More →

Hon. Bennett Raley

Shareholder, Trout, Raley, Montaño, Witwer and Freeman, P.C.

Bennett W. Raley is a shareholder with the Denver law firm of Trout, Raley, Montaño, Witwer and Freeman, P.C. His practice specializes in state and federal court litigation, and federal administrative and legislative strategy. Mr. Raley has practiced in the fields of water law... Read More →

Friday January 9, 2015 11:10am - 12:20pm CST
Capitol View Terrace South 701 E 11th St, Austin, TX 78701

Life: A series of discussions and debates on individual flourishing

Tags Armstrong Center for Energy & the Environment