(Information updated Jan. 23, 2014)

 The fifth biennial Lone Star Legislative Summit presented by Norbord Texas Nacogdoches, Inc. is set for February 19 and 20 in Nacogdoches, Texas.  The event is co-hosted by State Sen. Robert Nichols and State Rep. Travis Clardy and produced by the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce.

 The event kicks off with the Lone Star Reception on Wednesday, Feb. 19 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Piney Woods Country Club.

Summit events begin at 7:20 a.m. with a breakfast meeting on Thursday, Feb. 20 on the second floor of the Stephen F. Austin State University Student Center and run through the afternoon. Session topics include Healthcare, Higher Education, Transportation and Natural Resources.  At least a dozen legislators from East, West and Central Texas are expected to participate.

Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives Joe Straus will preview the 84th Legislature’s budget and issues at the kick-off breakfast.  Sen. Nichols will provide a Texas Transportation update. Nichols is a past TxDOT commissioner and chairs the Texas Senate’s transportation committee, and a select committee on transportation funding.  Business economist Jesse Thompson will give an overview of the Texas economy and energy industry at the event’s luncheon.  He is on staff with the Houston branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.

County Commissioners and Judges can earn approximately 5 hours of Continuing Education Unit hours by attending the summit.

 The Healthcare and Insurance discussion will be moderated by Nacogdoches attorney and financial advisor Banker Phares.  The panel includes Chris Traylor with the Health & Human Services System as well as State Representatives Dan Flynn, John Frullo, Ken King and James White.  Local hospital administrator Clay Farell will round out the panel.

The Higher Education panel includes State Representatives Clardy, Dan Huberty, Jason Isaacs and John Raney. Moderator is Dr. Kim Childs, dean of the College of Science and Mathematics at SFASU.

 The Natural Resources panel will look at Water Supply, Demand and Challenges. It will be moderated by Dr. Ken Farrish, Director of the Division of Environmental Science and Coordinator of the Waters of East Texas Center at SFASU.  State Representatives Trent Ashby, Kyle Kacal, John Kuempel, Lyle Larson and Chris Paddie will participate on the panel.

Cost for the Wednesday reception is $25. Thursday breakfast is $15 and luncheon is $25. A combination registration for all ticketed events is only $50.

The event is produced by the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce and presented by Norbord.

Check www.nacogdoches.org to register online, and to see updates on the above information.