Measures now go to Texas Senate
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas All too often transparency is a second thought for our government.
The people are entitled to more than a second thought. They are entitled to full transparency in how our state operates said House Committee on Transparency Co-Chairman Dan Flynn as the Texas House of Representatives passed
some of the 
most sweeping transparency legislation in the history of the State of Texas authored by Flynn.
As the final day for passage of House legislation moved into the late hours of the evening late last week a bi-partisan group of legislators took the front mic to present these bills that they crafted together.
On a night where partisan arguments delayed the progression of the final calendar and each piece of legislation was subject to multiple questions varying in level of relevance
House Bills 12 and 16 exhibited the kind of teamwork compromise and preparation that one would assume each bill was accompanied by. With no questions from other members and with multiple amendments accepted by Flynn the bills came up and were passed by the House in record time.
The Texas House approved HB 12 and HB 16 which each provide several key measures aimed at improving transparency in Texas.
- HB 12 mandates each state agency publish its methodology for determining salary supplements as well as each and every gift and its respective value online.
HB 16 will ensure that all audits including internal and operational audits be placed online for the public as well.
Both pieces of legislation were presented to the
Committee on Transparency co-chaired by State Reps.
Dan Flynn (R-Van) and
Carol Alvarado (D-Houston) spanning both sides of the aisle and pulling together some of the most passionate Republicans and Democrats in the House.
As the bills passed out of committee unanimously the legislation proved to be a symbol of recognition and understanding that transparency in every sense of the word has become a necessary component of state agency operations.
Transparency within the practice and operations of Texas agencies and institutions should be the norm not the surprising exception said Flynn.
These important measures move us toward that goal a more transparent Texas. We can make government more open so that taxpayers know exactly how the state is operating and utilizing our tax money Flynn concluded.
The measures now goes to the Texas Senate for hearings and final passage to the Governor.
