By KERA News & Wire Services
Dallas, TX – After a nationwide search, six people are on the short list for Dallas Police Chief. They include the Police Chiefs of Austin, San Jose California, and Louisville Kentucky as well as three from within the Department: Assistant Chiefs David Brown, Danny Garcia, and Floyd Simpson.
Later this month, the six will undergo a two-day interview process. They will meet with panels composed of citizens, business executives, Police Association representatives, and City Managers. Feedback from the interviews will go to City Manager Mary Suhm - who will make the decision.
Police Chief David Kunkle retires in April.
$11 billion budget shortfall projected for Texas
A key state official says the Texas Legislature will face a shortfall of at least $11 billion when they meet to write the next state budget in 2011. That's the projected difference between available revenue and the cost of maintaining services at their current levels.
John O'Brien, director of the Legislative Budget Board, told a legislative committee Monday that the estimate is conservative and could grow to as much as $15 billion.
The shortfall is a result of several factors, including lower-than-expected sales tax receipts.
State agencies have submitted proposals to cut their current-year budgets by 5 percent, as requested by Gov. Rick Perry. Those savings will only amount to about $1.7 billion, O'Brien said.
Texas can save water with new toilets, other steps
Environmental groups say there's a simple way to conserve water in Texas: Get a new toilet. That's among the recommendations Monday in a report evaluating water conservation in 19 cities around the state.
The report from the National Wildlife Federation and the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club says replacing toilets manufactured before 1992 could save about 12,000 gallons a year per household. Older toilets use from 3.5 to 7 gallons per flush, but newer high-efficiency toilets only use 1.28 gallons per flush.
The report also recommended changing utility pricing structure to reward conservation; restricting outdoor watering; offering local rebate programs for replacing fixtures and appliances; and more public education.