FLYNN: Legislature Ends Regular Session Governor Calls Immediate Special

By State Rep. Dan Flynn Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas In the coming weeks I hope to provide a multi-part synopsis of the issues addressed during the just concluded 83rd Legislative Session; our successes as a state as a district and also address the setbacks and disappointments. Transparency became the theme of the 83rd Session.   Monday evening the Texas Legislature moved to adjourn Sine Die concluding the 83rd Legislative Session. among other accomplishments the Legislature worked to:

1. Establish and fund a water plan that would protect the state of Texas from the severe drought conditions still plaguing much of the state
2. Reform public education by reducing the number of standardized tests required of students and teachers each year
3. Provide the Teacher Retirement System with additional funding to maintain its actuarial soundness
4. Strengthened 2nd Amendment issues as well as all received attention needed to
5. Addressed concerns regarding Medicaid and Transportation

Transparency as well as addressing the practice of diversions became the theme of the 83rd Session.  Multiple pieces of legislation were passed requiring greater transparency within  state agencies by requiring executive salaries gifts donations and supplements to be posted online. Governor Rick Perry squelched rumors and officially called the Legislature back for a special session that began this morning. The House met to gavel in and address the Governors concern over redistricting. The Governor has called both chambers back to finalize the House Senate and Congressional district maps. In 2010 during the 82nd Legislature and special session the Legislature passed interim maps but used federally drawn maps for the 2012 election cycle. This session the Legislature is being asked to adopt one final map to be used until the next census report. It remains my pleasure and honor to represent Texas and all the people of House District 2. My staff and I continue to welcome your input and your questions. You can contact our office at mailing address: P. O. Box 2910 Austin TX 78768 or via Email: District2.Flynn@house.state.tx.us. The Toll free number: 1-800-734-9515. May God continue to bless you and our Great State of Texas! Rep. Dan Flynn is a native Texan who serves House District 2 which includes Hunt Rains and Van Zandt Counties. He serves as Co-Chair of the House Transparency in State Agency Operations Committee as Vice Chair of the Investments & Financial Services and sits on the Homeland Security & Public Safety Committee.