AUSTIN, Texas—Navigating the maze of Texas state government is not an easy task, but a new book from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin can provide a useful roadmap.
The Guide to Texas State Agencies, now in its 10th edition, is the most comprehensive handbook available on the hundreds of agencies, bureaus and commissions that handle the programs and operations of state government in Texas.
Released in mid-February, the new Guide is quickly making its way into the hands of state officials, agency administrators, librarians, lobbyists and government buffs throughout Texas. LBJ School of Public Affairs Dean Edwin Dorn calls the book a “vital link between the agencies and the people who use their services.”
“Understanding who does what in Texas state government can be a challenge, even for the insiders,” said Dorn. “Like any good tool, this book makes the job much easier. It also provides a snapshot of the state’s current government structure.”
The 10th edition provides detailed directory information including each agency’s address, phone and fax numbers, sunset review and statutory data, state appropriations and board members’ names and service dates. It also lists major functions and programs for these agencies.
Sixteen appendices provide a wealth of additional information, including lists of river authorities, higher education institutions and councils of governments. It also includes a chart on the state’s court system; a list of World Wide Web sites on Texas state government; lists of agencies ranked by fiscal year 1998 state appropriations, by number of FTE employees and by salaries of chief administrative officers; and other data.
The book, which costs $60, is available from Office of Publications at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, (512) 471-4218, or by email at pubsinfo@uts.cc.utexas.edu.
