By Cathie Adams
Published: 05-15-07
Published: 05-15-07
The Texas legislative session ends on May 28. With only two weeks remaining it is encouraging to assess accomplishments as well as to focus on bills that need to finish strong for Texas families. Thanks to the overwhelming response from Texas families legislators moved quickly to rescind Gov. Perry’s Executive Order that would have mandated that every little girl receive the HPV vaccine before entering the sixth grade. Texas parents were not willing to abdicate their responsibility to make health care decisions for their children and they let their representatives know it. The other factor working in parents’ favor was the question of WHO decides within the political process: the executive branch unilaterally or the legislative branch. In the end Gov. Perry decided to let the bill become law without his signature.
The Trans Texas Corridor TTC continues to be a hot button issue. Legislators are convinced that the 2003 bill that created the TTC would sell the crown jewels of Texas. Both chambers passed a two-year moratorium to give them time to assess Texas’ indisputable need for new roads and the role of the Texas Department of Transportation TxDOT. It seems TxDOT has been too willing to sell Texas infrastructure to the highest bidder regardless it being a bad investment for Texas taxpayers.
“Non-compete” clauses in the public-private partnerships for example would force Texans to pay financial penalties to a private road builder if a road was found to compete with the toll road run by the private company. Tolls would be set at “market value” rather than at the cost of building and maintaining roads in order to profit investors. And worst of all the private companies under the 2003 law would not even have to discuss in advance the cost of buying the road back at the end of the 50-year contracts. The bottom line is that Texans can and should continue to build and own our infrastructure. At this moment lawmakers are working to avoid a governor veto. Stay tuned….
Any expansion of gambling has thus far been defeated. Thanks to former Attorney General and now U.S. Senator John Cornyn Indian casinos are illegal in Texas. Rep. Norma Chavez D-El Paso worked hard to pass HB 10 that would have reopened the casinos but it was defeated by a tie vote of 66 to 66. Texas families aren’t interested in the addictive vice known as video lottery terminals (slot machines) that racetrack owners lobbied hard for nor do they want our work ethic undermined by the notion of chance.
Jessica’s Law that would protect children from sex predators is nearly complete. After television commentator Bill O’Reilly focused on Texas’ weak law Lt. Gov. Dewhurst took up the goal to pass a strong law. HB 8 has passed both chambers and is now in a conference committee to iron out differences.
Every Texan should support the border security bill HB 13 by Rep. David Swinford R-Amarillo who told fellow lawmakers “We cannot continue as a state to allow drug lords to continue to dominate this state… Friends and neighbors this is serious stuff.” Cities that opt to provide sanctuary to illegal aliens would forfeit Homeland Security funds. HB 13 is set for a public hearing on Monday May 14 in the Senate. Legislators need to act quickly.
With Republicans in the majority in Austin Texans expect them to act upon their rhetoric of lower taxes and smaller government.
Any expansion of gambling has thus far been defeated. Thanks to former Attorney General and now U.S. Senator John Cornyn Indian casinos are illegal in Texas. Rep. Norma Chavez D-El Paso worked hard to pass HB 10 that would have reopened the casinos but it was defeated by a tie vote of 66 to 66. Texas families aren’t interested in the addictive vice known as video lottery terminals (slot machines) that racetrack owners lobbied hard for nor do they want our work ethic undermined by the notion of chance.
Jessica’s Law that would protect children from sex predators is nearly complete. After television commentator Bill O’Reilly focused on Texas’ weak law Lt. Gov. Dewhurst took up the goal to pass a strong law. HB 8 has passed both chambers and is now in a conference committee to iron out differences.
Every Texan should support the border security bill HB 13 by Rep. David Swinford R-Amarillo who told fellow lawmakers “We cannot continue as a state to allow drug lords to continue to dominate this state… Friends and neighbors this is serious stuff.” Cities that opt to provide sanctuary to illegal aliens would forfeit Homeland Security funds. HB 13 is set for a public hearing on Monday May 14 in the Senate. Legislators need to act quickly.
With Republicans in the majority in Austin Texans expect them to act upon their rhetoric of lower taxes and smaller government.
They can start by REPEALING the Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund TIF tax imposed in 1995 to update technology and broadband for schools libraries and non-profit hospitals. That has been accomplished and the tax should now be eliminated. HB 735 by Rep. Joe Straus R-San Antonio passed the House 143 to 0 on March 20 but has yet to be taken up in the Senate.
HB 2785 by Rep. Ken Paxton R-McKinney would reduce property taxes. Former State Rep. Talmadge Heflin stated “Our research has already shown that we can support the 9-cent property tax cut through 2011 while preserving a $3 billion state balance.” However an amendment added in the House turned the tax cut into a tax increase! But Rep. Paxton is NOT giving up. Please ask Lt. Gov. Dewhurst to direct Senators to take up HB 2785 and to fix the fatal flaw before the end of the session.
Voter integrity:
HB 218 by Rep. Betty Brown R-Terrell and Senate sponsor Sen. Troy Fraser R-Horseshoe Bay would require voters to present photo identification. It passed the House 76 to 69 and is set on the Senate Intent Calendar for May 14. Please ask your Senator to VOTE YES on HB 218.
HB 626 by Rep. Phil King R-Weatherford passed the House 88 to 56 but is awaiting a Senate sponsor which probably means the clock will run out before passing the Senate. HB 626 would require proof of citizenship to register to vote.
HB 2247 by Rep. Corbin Van Arsdale R-Tomball and SB 1464 by Sen. Kyle Janek R-Houston have both passed their respective chambers but need to pass the other but it’s doubtful that there is sufficient time for either bill to pass. Both would remove from voting rolls those who are deceased or disqualified for jury duty because they are not citizens.
Religion:
HB 3678 by Rep. Warren Chisum R-Pampa would clarify student led expression of faith thus protecting school districts from lawsuits. It has passed the House and is awaiting Senate action.
A misleading bill HB 289 by Rep. Dianne Delisi R-Temple would allow taxpayer money to flow to mosques churches and synagogues for health and human services. Most Texans do not see the role of government to fund ministries; rather it is the role of those who practice their faith to fund its activities. HB 289 passed the House unanimously on May 11. Please ask Senator Nelson to let the bill die in the Senate.
Life:
SB 920 by Sen. Dan Patrick would require an obstetric ultrasound before an abortion is performed. It passed the Senate by 22 to 8 and was voted out of the House committee on May 11. Please ask your Representative to VOTE YES on SB 920.
SB 439 by Sen. Bob Deuell R-Greenville is set on the Senate Intent Calendar for Monday May 14. We are hopeful that it will put FAMILIES in charge of making end of life decisions for their loved ones as does HB 1094 by Rep. Bryan Hughes R-Mineola.
HB 2785 by Rep. Ken Paxton R-McKinney would reduce property taxes. Former State Rep. Talmadge Heflin stated “Our research has already shown that we can support the 9-cent property tax cut through 2011 while preserving a $3 billion state balance.” However an amendment added in the House turned the tax cut into a tax increase! But Rep. Paxton is NOT giving up. Please ask Lt. Gov. Dewhurst to direct Senators to take up HB 2785 and to fix the fatal flaw before the end of the session.
Voter integrity:
HB 218 by Rep. Betty Brown R-Terrell and Senate sponsor Sen. Troy Fraser R-Horseshoe Bay would require voters to present photo identification. It passed the House 76 to 69 and is set on the Senate Intent Calendar for May 14. Please ask your Senator to VOTE YES on HB 218.
HB 626 by Rep. Phil King R-Weatherford passed the House 88 to 56 but is awaiting a Senate sponsor which probably means the clock will run out before passing the Senate. HB 626 would require proof of citizenship to register to vote.
HB 2247 by Rep. Corbin Van Arsdale R-Tomball and SB 1464 by Sen. Kyle Janek R-Houston have both passed their respective chambers but need to pass the other but it’s doubtful that there is sufficient time for either bill to pass. Both would remove from voting rolls those who are deceased or disqualified for jury duty because they are not citizens.
Religion:
HB 3678 by Rep. Warren Chisum R-Pampa would clarify student led expression of faith thus protecting school districts from lawsuits. It has passed the House and is awaiting Senate action.
A misleading bill HB 289 by Rep. Dianne Delisi R-Temple would allow taxpayer money to flow to mosques churches and synagogues for health and human services. Most Texans do not see the role of government to fund ministries; rather it is the role of those who practice their faith to fund its activities. HB 289 passed the House unanimously on May 11. Please ask Senator Nelson to let the bill die in the Senate.
Life:
SB 920 by Sen. Dan Patrick would require an obstetric ultrasound before an abortion is performed. It passed the Senate by 22 to 8 and was voted out of the House committee on May 11. Please ask your Representative to VOTE YES on SB 920.
SB 439 by Sen. Bob Deuell R-Greenville is set on the Senate Intent Calendar for Monday May 14. We are hopeful that it will put FAMILIES in charge of making end of life decisions for their loved ones as does HB 1094 by Rep. Bryan Hughes R-Mineola.
