Sunset Vote on Consolidation

Sunset Vote on Consolidation

Terry Murphy

Texans who are blind have a great deal to celebrate today, because the Sunset Commission heard much of their input concerning the Sunset staff's proposal to consolidate TCB and TRC into one organization. They voted unanimously not to propose such a consolidation to the Texas Legislature. They also voted to delete the requirement for TRC and TCB to examine the way federal funds are split between the two agencies with the assistance of the LBB and the SAO. Finally, they voted to delete the recommendation that the Commissioner of Health and Human Services have hiring authority over the heads of Health and Human Services agencies. That authority will remain with each agency's Governor-appointed Board.

So there is much for blindness advocates to feel proud of today. They came together for a common issue and made their collective voices heard. The result is that much of what they were after with the Sunset Commission has been accomplished. There are still issues out there that must be followed up on, but the overriding objectives with the Sunset recommendations have been achieved!

More will follow later as we assess the proposal that was finally adopted by the Sunset Commission.

Vol 5 No. 1 February 1999 contents

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