Texas Workforce Commission
| Texas Workforce Commission | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Non-partisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| 2013 FY Budget: | $1,095,925,510 |
| Total Seats: | 3 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | 6 years |
| Authority: | Texas Labor Code, Chapter 301, Section 6 |
| Leadership: | Andres Alcantar |
| Selection Method: | Appointed by Governor |
| Other Texas Executive Offices | |
| Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Comptroller • Auditor • Education Commissioner • Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner • Land Commissioner • Workforce Commission • Public Utility Commission • Railroad Commission | |
Contents |
Current officeholder
The current chairman is Andres Alcantar. He serves alongside Ronald Congleton and Hope Andrade. Andrade was appointed by Governor Rick Perry in March 2013 to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of commissioner Tom Pauken. Andrade had served as Texas Secretary of State until Nov. 2012. Her appointment is subject to approval by the State Senate.[1] If she is confirmed, Andrade's term as commissioner will expire February 1, 2015.[2]
Authority
The Chairman's powers, term of office, etc. are derived from Chapter 301 of the Texas Labor Code.
Chapter 301, Section 6:
| The governor shall designate the chair of the commission from among the members of the commission.[3] |
Qualifications
The Texas Labor Code (Title 4, Subtitle B, Chapter 301, Subchapter A) defines the requirements for serving on the Texas Workforce Commission.
Section 301.002 defines the composition of the commission:
| (1) one member who is a representative of labor;
(2) one member who is a representative of employers; (3) one member who is a representative of the public.[4] |
Section 301.003 lays out restrictions for serving on the commission:
| (b) A member of the commission or the member's spouse may not be employed by any business or other organization receiving money from the commission during the member's term on the commission.
(c) A person may not be a member of the commission or an employee of the commission employed in a "bona fide executive, administrative, or professional capacity," if:
(d) A person may not serve as a member of the commission if the person or the person's spouse:
(e) If a member of the commission or the member's spouse is engaged in any other employment, the member of the commission shall refrain from voting on or participating in any commission decision that involves the other employment. (f) A member of the commission or the member's spouse may not enter into a contract, either directly with a local workforce development board or with an entity that contracts with a local workforce development board, under which the member or the member's spouse receives compensation for services provided by the member or the member's spouse. [4]|- |
Section 301.003 defines required training that appointed members must undergo before undertaking official duties.
(b) The training program must provide the person with information regarding:
[4]|- |
Appointments
The three members of the commission are appointed by the governor to staggered six-year terms. The governor selects one of the members of the commission to serve as chair. Chairs are appointed to two-year terms and can be reappointed to consecutive terms.[5]
Vacancies
Any vacancies in the position of Chairman of Workforce Commission are filled by the Governor, the individual will hold the office for the remainder of the term.Chapter 301, Section 5 of the Texas Labor Code
Duties
The duties of the commissioner are outlined in Page 4 of the Commission's Self Evaluation Report:
- oversight and support of an employer-driven, integrated workforce development system through the consolidation of job training, employment, and work-related services including literacy, child care, and transportation
- administration of employment services and job training for job seekers and current workers
- administration and operation of unemployment compensation benefit payments and unemployment tax collection and the adjudication process for determining claimant eligibility and employer liability
- establishment and maintenance of free public employment offices
- regulation of proprietary schools and enforcement of minimum standards of approval for proprietary schools
- reintegration into the labor force of adults and youth formerly incarcerated
- enforcement of pay day and child labor laws
- adjudication of wage claims through investigations and other actions to ensure payment of wages
- dissemination of information about the Minimum Wage Act
- assist trade-affected unemployed workers in securing training and employment
- inspection and approval of veteran's education schools and training establishments
- collection, analysis, and publication of Labor Market Information to employers, Boards, state and local government, the U.S. Department of Labor, and other entities and individuals[6]
Divisions
- Unemployment Insurance & Regulation Division:
The unemployment insurance program, funded through employer taxes, provides temporary partial income replacement to workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own.
- Workforce Development Divisionment Insurance:
The Workforce Development Division provides oversight, coordination, guidance, planning, technical assistance and implementation of employment and training activities with a focus on meeting the needs of employers throughout the state of Texas.
- External Relations Division:
The External Relations Division is responsible for planning and implementing a coordinated outreach and education effort to customers and stakeholders.
- Information Technology Division:
The Information Technology Division is responsible for agency's technology infrastructure, including project management, information technology operations, and applications development and maintenance.
- Employer Initiatives:
The primary responsibility of Employer Initiatives is to provide the leadership and direction within the Texas workforce system to engage employers, business organizations and the economic development community in the ongoing development of a customer-focused, market-driven workforce system.
- Internal Audit:
Internal Audit is an independent, objective assurance and consulting activity designed to add value and improve operations.
- Civil Rights Division:
The Civil Rights Division (CRD) enforces the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act (Texas Labor Code, Chapter 21) and the Texas Fair Housing Act (Texas Property Code, Chapter 301).
- Regulatory Integrity Division:
The Regulatory Integrity Division enforces all regulatory statutes within the jurisdiction of the agency, including UI, career schools, board sanctions, wage claims and child labor.
- General Counsel:
The General Counsel is responsible for providing legal advice and support to the agency. [7]
State budget
The budget for the Texas Workforce Commission in Fiscal Year 2013 was $1,095,925,510.[8]
Compensation
- See also: Compensation of state executive officers
2012
In 2012, the workforce commissioner was paid an estimated $140,000. This figure comes from the Council of State Governments.
2010
In 2010, the Texas Workforce Commission was paid an estimated $79,596 according to the Council of State Governments.[9]
Contact information
Texas Workforce Commission:
101 E 15th St, Rm 651
Austin, TX
78778-0001
Phone: 512-463-2236
Toll free: 1-800-582-8032
E-mail: Customer Relations
See also
- Labor Commissioner
- Hope Andrade
- Chairman Andres Alcantar
- Ronald Congleton
- Former commissioner Tom Pauken
External links
References
- ↑ The Anahuac Progress, "March 14, 2013
- ↑ My San Antonio, "Andrade appointed to Texas Workforce Commission," March 7, 2013
- ↑ Chapter 301 Section 6 of the Texas Labor Code.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Texas Government Code Chapter 321
- ↑ Texas Labor Code, Title 4
- ↑ Texas Workforce Commission, Self-Evaluation Report to the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission, Page 4: Department of labor," Accessed November 4, 2011
- ↑ Texas Workforce Commission, "TWC Executive Staff," accessed November 4, 2011.
- ↑ Legislative Reference Library of Texas , "General Appropriations Act for the 2012-2013 Biennium," accessed April 6, 2013
- ↑ The Council of State Governments,"The Book of States 2010 Table 4.11,"accessed November 4, 2011
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