TMCEC JUDICIAL GRANT LIKELY TO DECREASE
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR MUNICIPAL COURTS FROM TMCEC:
The judicial education grant to TMCEC from the State Legislature (via The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals) is likely to be decreased for the next two years by 20 percent. The TMCEC Board of Directors, Education Committee, and staff members are looking at ways to conserve funds, as well as applying to TxDOT for grant funding.
Although we will NOT know until June 2011 what the appropriation will be, it is highly likely that there will NOT be sufficient grant funding to offer single rooms at TMCEC seminars at no additional charge. Nor will there likely be funding to distribute at no charge the revised book of statutes, a/k/a "The Brick" or the Texas Criminal and Traffic Law Manual, published by LexisNexis.
If you are in your budget process, please consider budgeting for an additional $50 per night for a hotel room at TMCEC seminars IF you and your staff intend to request a single room rather than double occupancy. Also, please budget for the codebook @ approximately $40 a book. Books may be ordered from http://www.lexisnexis.com/,as well as the West Group.
We hope to be able to continue to offer high quality judicial education to all members of our constituency. There has been legislation proposed that could significantly change our program and funding. Please go to the TMCA website for more information: www.txmca.com. There is a Legislative Notice posted on the home page that gives you information about the bill.
Thank you, Hope Lochridge
TMCEC Executive Director
