Happy Holidays from the Pool: How’d We do in 2024?
Everyone at the TML Risk Pool joins together to wish every Member a safe and joyous holiday season and a Happy New Year! As you reflect upon the last year, please email Scott Houston — the Pool’s Intergovernmental Relations Manager — at scott.houston@tmlirp.org with kudos, concerns, questions, or comments about your experience(s) with us in 2024.
Action Items
Meet “Risky” the Pool’s New Mascot!
We’re excited to introduce Risky the Armadillo as the Pool’s new mascot! Congratulations to City of Lancaster Mayor Clyde C. Hairston for winning Risky’s naming contest at our TML Conference exhibit booth!
Risky perfectly represents what we do. Just like our coverages, our little buddy’s shell is tough, yet flexible. Look for Risky to represent the Pool in various ways going forward.
To begin with, check out his one-minute cartoon in which Risky shows you how to avoid being the victim of a cyber criminal’s phishing scam!
You’ll love it! Even if you don’t have time to watch, download Risky’s “Email Security Checklist” and put it next to your computer as a reminder to “think before you click!”
DIR Cybersecurity Grant Program Accepting Applications Until February 13, 2025
PLEASE NOTE: The request for applications for these grants are open NOW through February 13, 2025, through eGrants at https://egrants.gov.texas.gov/.
One component of the 2021 federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) — also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Act — is the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP). The SLCGP appropriated $1 billion over four years (2022–2025) to address cybersecurity risks and cybersecurity threats to the state and local government information systems.
Texas was allocated approximately $40 million for one-time projects that assist governmental entities with the adoption of certain best practices and methodologies, including:
Implementing multi-factor authentication.
Implementing enhanced logging.
Implementing data encryption for data at rest and in transit.
End use of unsupported/end of life software and hardware that are accessible from the Internet.
Prohibiting use of known/fixed/default passwords and credentials.
Ensuring the ability to reconstitute systems (backups); and
Migrating to the .gov Internet domain.
Grant awards will be prioritized by the state’s Cybersecurity Planning Committee, and recipients must provide matching funds. The current request for applications is open until February 13, 2025. For detailed information, visit the Texas Department of Information Resources SLCGP web page.
January is R.O.A.D. Ready Month — Let’s Roll!
R.O.A.D. Ready (Recognize the Hazards; Observe People, Processes, and Equipment; Assess the Risk Level; and Determine the Safest Course of Action) is a Risk Pool program designed to save lives, prevent injuries, and protect property by raising Member awareness of dangers on and near roadways. The Pool provides participating Members with: (1) specifically designed resources and training to mitigate roadway risks; and (2) digital achievement badges and promotional materials to show they are R.O.A.D. Ready.
Go to the R.O.A.D. Ready webpage and download the 2025 T.I.P.S. (Together Improving Processes and Safety) sheets and posters featuring this month’s safety themes: (1) performing a roadway risk assessment; (2) loading and transporting heavy equipment; (3) using protective vehicles; (4) safe speed and distance; and (5) vehicle preparedness.
You can also get more information from Episode 11b of the Pool’s “Local Officials: Stronger, Together Podcast!” Finally, check out the Pool’s Safety @ Your Finger T.I.P.S. text-message initiative designed to increase your awareness of safety-related hazards and exposures in the workplace and apply that knowledge in your day-to-day work or as a discussion topic in your safety/tailgate meetings.
Member Spotlight: Safety @ Your Finger T.I.P.S. Initiative Close to 1,000 Subscribers!
The TML Risk Pool wants every employee to go home safe, every time. We created Safety @ Your Finger T.I.P.S. to support that mission. The program — based on the Pool’s Together Improving Processes and Safety sheets — provides periodic text messages with links to safety/tailgate meeting sheets and other safety-related information.
In addition to safety information, Members can sign up to receive notifications about weather and emergency management updates, training programs, and the R.O.A.D. Ready initiative that’s designed to save lives, prevent injuries, and protect property by raising awareness of dangers on and near roadways.
The initiative is close to 1,000 subscribers! The 1,000th will be recognized in next month’s newsletter and recognized in various other ways. If you haven’t signed up, do so here TODAY!!
Service in Focus: The Pool’s No-Cost Cyber Squad Services — Onsite Consultations, Risk Assessments, Training, and More
The TML Risk Pool Cyber Squad’s YouTube Video Podcast provides up-to-date cybersecurity information you need to know. Check out Episode 6 — Cyber Squad Services — in which you’ll hear about the no-cost cybersecurity preparedness services provided to Risk Pool Members, as well as information on obtaining a .gov domain and the recent government device TikTok ban.
Articles Feature Risk Pool Board Members Mary M. Dennis and Opal Mauldin-Jones
Chair-Emeritus Mary M. Dennis is featured in a San Antonio Report article. It’s a great article that highlights her foray into local government and 14 years with the City of Live Oak.
Trustee Opal Mauldin-Jones featured in Leader Spotlight. Ben Thatcher, City Manager of Boerne, authored an article about Opal being “a champion for service and resilience in Lancaster,” along with being the first African American female president of the Texas City Management Association.
Texas Legislature: Bill Filing for 2025 Legislative Session Begins
Bill filing for the 2025 legislative session began on November 12, and 1,471 bills were filed. That number sets a record for the most bills filed on the first day of pre-filing. In the 2023 session, more than 8,000 bills were filed, 906 of those were filed on the first day. In the end, over 1,200 bills or resolutions passed in 2023; more than 230 of them impacted cities.
Throughout the legislative session, the Texas Municipal League’s Legislative Update will include summaries of all city-related bills, grouped by topic to help city officials quickly find their area(s) of interest. More detail on key bills and requests for action by city officials are also included. Check it out every Friday.
You May Have a New Risk Management Advisor (RMA) or Loss Control Consultant (LCC)
The Pool has made territory changes to better serve our Members. If you are unsure of who is your RMA or LCC, log in to the Member Portal to find that information on the left side of the screen. Not yet registered for the Portal? Click here.
January 7–9 Mount Pleasant Performance Management and Disciplinary Action for Supervisors Civility in the Workplace Recruitment and Onboarding for Supervisors Harassment Prevention for Supervisors
January 15 Edna Trenching and Excavation Awareness Confined Space Awareness Work Zone Safety
January 16 Port Lavaca Trenching and Excavation Awareness Work Zone Safety
January 28 Hondo Performance Management and Disciplinary Action for Supervisors Recruitment and Onboarding for Supervisors
January 29
Schertz Performance Management and Disciplinary Action for Supervisors Civility in the Workplace
January 30 Seguin Harassment Prevention for Supervisors
February 25–26 Texarkana Resilience Strategies for First Responders Moving Right of Bang: Critical Incident Early Intervention Strategies
March 4 Elsa Performance Management and Disciplinary Action for Supervisors Civility in the Workplace
March 5 McAllen Recruitment and Onboarding for Supervisors Performance Management and Disciplinary Action for Supervisors
April 8–9 Converse Harassment Prevention for Supervisors Performance Management and Disciplinary Action for Supervisors Civility in the Workplace
