Lone Star Legeslative Summitt - Presented by Norbord Nacogdoches Texas

Bringing Austin and Washington to East Texas

Summitsessions begin with an earlybreakfast on Thursday, Feb. 16 on the second floor ofthe StephenF. Austin State University Student Center and run through the afternoon. Topics include Jobs and the Economy, Education, Healthcare and Natural Resources.
 
Texas Lt. Governor David Dewhurstwill speak on legislative opportunities at the event’s luncheon.
 
Rep. Wayne Christianwill welcome fellow legislators attending the event to his ‘home territory.’ Rep. Christian’s District 10 includes Nacogdoches, Shelby, San Augustine, Sabine and Jasper Counties.
 
Dr. Evan Koenig,vice president and senior policy advisor with the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, has been invited to bring an update on Jobs and the Economy.
 
New this year is a presidential election panel, featuring journalists and academic experts. Red River Radio’s Kate Archer Kent will moderate a panel that includes the Houston Chronicle’s Patti Hart, Dr. George C. Edwards III, University Distinguished Professor of Political Science at Texas A&M University, and Dr. Ken Collier, associate professor of government at SFA.
 
County Commissioners can earnContinuing Education Units up to 5.75 hours by attending the Summit.
 
The healthcare discussion will be moderated by State Senator Robert Nichols and will includeState Representative Chuck Hopson, Denise Rose with theTexas Hospital Association and Thomas Suehs, head of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
The panelists will discuss how changes in Medicare and Medicaid will affect East Texans.
Rep. Hopson’s District 11 currently includes Panola, Rusk Cherokee and Houston counties. In the 82^nd Legislature he served on the Human Services and Natural Resources committees. Senator Nichols’ District 3 covers 16 East Texas counties. He is a former TxDOT Commissioner and sits on the Transportation and Homeland Security, Natural Resources, Health and Human Services and Nominations committees. He also serves on the Sunset Advisory Commission.
 
The Public Education panel includesState Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock, former Texas Commissioner of Education Mike Moses, attorneyDavid Thompson and lobbyist David Anderson.  Lufkin ISD Superintendent Roy Knight will moderate.Aycock serves District 54 which includes Lampasas, Burnet and Bell counties. He sits on the Appropriations, Public Education and Redistricting committees.  Moses is senior educational advisor for Raise Your Hand Texas and the Center for Reform of School Systems. He was superintendent of Dallas, Lubbock, LaMarque and Tatum.
 
The Natural Resources panelwill be moderated by David Alders of Nacogdoches. Rep. James White will join Jerry Clark, executive vice president of theSabine River Authority and David Blackmon with theEl Paso Corporation on the panel.Blackmonwill give an overview of the oil and gas industry in Texas. Rep. White serves on the County Affairs and Corrections committees.  His District 12 covers Angelina, San Jacinto, Trinity and Tyler Counties.  An agribusinessman, Mr. Alders serves on the East Texas Region I Water Planning Group for the Texas Water Development Board.
 
Cost for the Wednesday reception is $25. Thursday breakfast is $15 and luncheon is $25. A combination registration for all ticketed events is only $50.
 
The event is produced by the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce and presented by Norbord.
Check www.nacogdoches.orgto download a registration form, and to see updates on the above information.