Policy Orientation 2016: Full Schedule

For over thirteen years, the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s Policy Orientation has been one of the nation’s top policy conferences, selling out each year while bringing together lawmakers, policy experts, and engaged citizens from across the political spectrum to discuss critical issues facing the Lone Star State and America.

Policy Orientation 2016 will be held January 6-8 at the Hilton Austin. For more information and to register, please visit policyorientation.com.

9:30am CST

Breaking Point: Texas' Property Tax Problem and Finding a Fix

This panel will examine the accomplishments of the 84th Session, the decision of voters in November 2015, and the ideas that should be focused on during the interim and through the next legislative session.

Moderators

James Quintero

Director, Center for Local Governance, Texas Public Policy Foundation

James Quintero is the Director of the Center for Local Governance at the Texas Public Policy Foundation, one of America’s premier conservative think tanks. He’s been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, The Huffington Post, Fox News and Breitbart.Since joining the Foundation... Read More →

Speakers

Representative Dennis Bonnen

Texas House of Representatives

Representative Dennis Bonnen serves the 25th Legislative District in the Texas House of Representatives representing southern Brazoria County and all of Matagorda County. First elected to the Legislature in 1996, he began his tenth term of office in January 2015. At the beginning... Read More →

The Honorable Cheryl Johnson

County Tax Assessor Collector, Galveston County Tax Office

Cheryl E. Johnson was elected to the office of Tax Assessor/Collector in the fall of 2004, becoming the first Republican woman to be elected to a county-wide seat in Galveston County. She was re-elected in 2008 and was unopposed in 2012. A resident of the Bay Area since 1983... Read More →

Dick Lavine

Senior Fiscal Analyst, Center for Public Policy Priorities

Dick Lavine is the senior fiscal analyst at the Center for Public Policy Priorities, where he focuses on state and local revenue issues. CPPP is an independent public policy organization that uses data and analysis to advocate for solutions that enable Texans of all backgrounds to... Read More →

Councilwoman Ellen Troxclair

Austin City Councilmember

Ellen Troxclair is honored to serve Southwest Austin, District 8, on the Austin City Council. She brings common sense leadership to City Hall through her dedication to lowering the cost of living and being a voice for taxpayers, while focusing on priorities such as improving mobility... Read More →

Thursday January 7, 2016 9:30am - 10:45am CST
Salon K

Center for Local Governance

2:00pm CST

Local Control vs. Local Liberty

This panel will examine the local control vs. local liberty debate that transpired in the 84th Session and where this dispute moves to next. Panelists will also discuss the benefits and perils of autonomous local governments.

Moderators

James Quintero

Director, Center for Local Governance, Texas Public Policy Foundation

Speakers

Senator Sylvia Garcia

Texas State Senate

Senator Sylvia R. Garcia is a native of the South Texas farming community, Palito Blanco. The eighth of ten children, Sylvia learned at an early age the value of education and hard work. Growing up, she saw her parents struggle to raise those ten children. And because of their struggles... Read More →

Senator Bob Hall

Texas State Senate

Texas Senator Bob Hall has proven himself to be a true champion of liberty. Senator Hall graduated from The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina with a degree in Electrical Engineering and received a Regular Commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Air Force. While a cadet at the... Read More →

Luke Metzger

Director, Environment Texas

Luke Metzger is the founding Director of Environment Texas, a statewide, citizen-funded advocate for clean air, clean water and open spaces. The San Antonio Current has called Mr. Metzger "long one of the most energetic and dedicated defenders of environmental issues in the state... Read More →

Representative Matt Rinaldi

Texas House of Representatives

Matt Rinaldi of House District 115 was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in 2014 to represent the Northwest portion of Dallas County. Representative Rinaldi sits on both the Committee on Business & Industry and the Committee on Agriculture & Livestock. Representative... Read More →

Thursday January 7, 2016 2:00pm - 3:15pm CST
Salon K

Center for Local Governance

9:30am CST

The Untouchables: A Look at Local Retirement Systems Protected by State Law

Many of Texas’s local retirement systems are in danger of fiscal disaster. The latest data shows we have in excess of $57 billion in unfunded pension liabilities and that number is only continuing to grow. Texas' pension programs are built on the defined benefit model. The panelists will discuss the viability of other options.

Moderators

James Quintero

Director, Center for Local Governance, Texas Public Policy Foundation

Speakers

Representative Roberto Alonzo

Texas House of Representatives

Roberto R. Alonzo was officially sworn in to start his eighth 2-year term as a Texas State Representative for House District 104 on Tuesday, January 8, 2013, having been first elected in November 1992, starting his first term during the 73rd Regular Session in 1993. He has also served... Read More →

Representative Jim Murphy

Texas House of Representatives

State Representative Jim Murphy represents District 133, West Houston. First elected in 2006, Murphy serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Corrections and is a member of the Ways & Means Committee. Murphy also serves as Floor Leader for the House Republican Caucus. His legislative... Read More →

Max Patterson

Executive Director, Texas Association of Public Employee Retirement Systems

Max Patterson is the executive director of the Texas Association of Public EmployeeRetirement Systems. Prior to joining TEXPERS, he was the executive director of the Houston Firefighters’ Relief and Retirement Fund. He has also served as deputy director in the Finance & Administration... Read More →

Bob Williams

President, State Budget Solutions

Bob Williams is President of State Budget Solutions. He is a former state legislator, gubernatorial candidate an auditor with the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO). Bob is a national expert in fiscal and tax policies, election reform and disaster preparedness. Because of... Read More →

Friday January 8, 2016 9:30am - 10:45am CST
Salon K

Center for Local Governance