Email not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.

CPRIT’s Oversight Committee met November 1 for the first time since February beginning a new era for the agency – one with a higher level of transparency, improved processes and strengthened accountability to the taxpayers of Texas. As I reported to the Oversight Committee, in addition to provisions in SB 149 which modified CPRIT’s enabling legislation, the agency has taken action to implement all 41 of the State Auditor’s January 2013 recommendations. We accomplished a number of important items at the meeting that will allow CPRIT’s work to move forward. We also began our commitment to transparency by holding the meeting at the State Capitol and streaming the meeting live over the web – a first for CPRIT. Within days, we’ll post a video of the proceedings to our website as well. Major actions of the Oversight Committee include: Adopting new bylaws for how the Oversight Committee will operate as a governing body, including an updated code of conduct. These bylaws indicate the Oversight Committee commitment to operating with the highest level of integrity; Posting revised administrative rules to the Texas Register for public comment. The rules expanded from 40 to over 120 pages, and implement many of the State Auditor’s recommendations as well as other process and accountability improvements; Restarting our grantmaking process, including the approval of Scientific Review Council appointees. This action allows CPRIT to resume review of grants and enable healthcare and medical professionals to apply for new grants. We expect additional steps at the next Oversight Committee meeting scheduled for November 22, 2013. At that session, I anticipate discussion about research and prevention program priorities, and a number of other actions important to our continuing operations. I want to express my gratitude to the members of the 83rd Legislature and their staffs, state leadership offices and CPRIT staff for getting us to November 1. The new Oversight Committee came to the meeting well-prepared and eager to resume the important responsibilities assigned to CPRIT by the citizens of Texas. It’s nice to be back at work! Regards, Wayne R. Roberts Interim Executive Director Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas P.O. Box 12097 Austin, Texas 78711