(Austin)--Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Rylander's first e-Texas hearing will be held in Corpus Christi on Wednesday, Jan. 26, in Room 224 of the Bayfront Convention Center, 1901 N. Shoreline Dr.

Education Task Force Commissioner Charles Miller of Houston will lead the hearing, which runs from noon to 2:30 p.m. The hearing will focus on technology's impact on education, using technology to enhance parental involvement, and how distance and on-line learning can transform higher education.

"Nothing is more important than education," Comptroller Rylander said. "We must have an educated workforce for the 21st Century. Our next generation must compete not only with those from New York and California but Europe and Asia as well."

E-Texas is Comptroller Rylander's initiative to raise educational standards, improve government's delivery of services, make government smaller and smarter, introduce competition, apply the Yellow Pages test, and give citizens new tools to interact with government.

"This hearing, and the others that will be held across the state, will help us find ideas to improve our public education system," she said. "I encourage folks to come out, listen to our experts, and give us feedback on the issues they think are critical to having an educated workforce."

State Rep. Jaime Capelo of Corpus Christi serves on the e-Texas Legislative Advisory Committee.

For those who cannot attend the hearing, suggestions may be offered at www.e-texas.org.