Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Since early February the 27 members of the Appropriations Committee have spent 250 hours listening to public testimony and exploring budget cuts and solutions to our budget crisis. The result of our hard work was the passage of HB 1 to the House Floor this past Sunday. As an active member of the Appropriations Committee let share with you what I have learned during my first year on this committee.
Truth #1 - Most Legislators Cant Change the Budget
At the beginning of the budget process the Committee members were told that the following two rules would apply to the budget process: (1) The budget must be prepared without new taxes and (2) The rainy day funds could not be used to balance the budget.
The fact is that for most of the Republican and Democrat members do not have much say in changing the state budget once it is issued to the House. The entire process limits us to only offer small changes to the state budget.
Truth #2 - The Budget Cuts Are Severe
House Bill 1 is a $164.5 billion two-year budget that is approximately $23 billion less than the current budget that ends on August 31 2011. If approved it calls for deep cuts to education social services and essentially every area of state government. I wish this wasnt true.
Truth #3 - Budget Process is Lengthy and Complicated
The link below will take to web page that contains a flow chart to help you understand where we are in the budget process (highlighted in yellow) and what steps are next (highlighted in gray). If you click on the boxes youll see weve linked to the applicable web sites and documents so that you can take a look for yourself at the bills being considered. Budget Chart Link
As of today the budget process is not over. The passage of HB 1 from the House this past week is just one of many steps in the budget process. The Senate will be issuing their own version of the state budget in a few weeks. The differences that exist between the House bill and Senate bill will be worked out in the Conference Committee sometime before May 10. Once a final conference bill is issued then both the Senate and the House will vote for final approval before it is sent to the Governor for his approval or veto.
Conclusion
Finally as I have been saying since February there are many reasons to remain optimistic. First we are not through with the budget process. Second we have an expectation that Comptroller Combs will be issuing a new update on available funds that will be available for next years budget. I expect something from her before the end of May and later in the summer. Third due to the increase in the price of oil there will be additional funds added to the Rainy Day Fund in the near future. This additional money perhaps $2 billion could be used to fund future expenses in the new budget.
News from Austin
Appropriations Committee Update
We have about six bills that were announced today that will be heard in the Appropriations Committee this week.
Insurance Committee Update
This week we are scheduled to discuss many different pieces of legislation. The are almost 20 bills on the agenda for Tuesday.
House Floor Update
The week there will be many pieces of legislation that will be heard by the full House. Perhaps the most notable will be one of the Sunset bills. More on this next week.
All committee meetings can be either viewed on live streaming video or they are archived. To watch one of our meetings log on to:
http://www.house.state.tx.us/video-audio/
Update on Torres Legislation
Consumer Protection: Last week I presented to the Economic Committee HB 3151. If approved it will close a loophole in our state law that makes it possible for others to obtain private personal information that is collected by one of the state agencys website.
Economic Development: HB 1316 if approved will allow for the City of Corpus Christi to receive a rebate of all sales tax and hotel tax revenues collected from a new convention center hotel once it is opened.
Elections: Yesterday I presented my E-Voting bill HB 2173 to the Elections Committee. If approved this would setup a state pilot program to allow our active military personnel who are serving overseas to receive and cast their ballot electronically.
Insurance: On Tuesday I am scheduled to present two bills in the Insurance Committee. HB172 deals with raising the dependent age to 26 years old. HB 3157 will permit insurance companies to automate their abilbty to offer high risk automobile policies in Texas. Currently they must manually write the auto policy.
For follow our complete Torres legislation this session please click on this link: Torres Authored and Co-Authored Legislation
News from Corpus Christi
Big Brother Big Sister Appreciation Dinner held at the Police Officers Association Facility on March 31 was attended by Volunteers Georgie Marsh and Glenn Ellen Dreggors on behalf of Rep. Raul Torres. This event is one of the most important nights of the year; with the opportunity to thank the volunteers who give so generously of their time and an opportunity to thank the donors who make it possible.
Wednesday Morning Group Meeting has been having very good turnouts for their breakfast meeting that are held at Kikos on Everhart. Come join other local business leaders and concerned citizens from the coastal bend to share ideas and information concerning South Texas.
PIBA Mixer this month was held and hosted by Stewart Title on the Island. It was an unbelievable turnout. There was live music lots of food fun and a great opportunity to network.
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Since early February the 27 members of the Appropriations Committee have spent 250 hours listening to public testimony and exploring budget cuts and solutions to our budget crisis. The result of our hard work was the passage of HB 1 to the House Floor this past Sunday. As an active member of the Appropriations Committee let share with you what I have learned during my first year on this committee.
Truth #1 - Most Legislators Cant Change the Budget
At the beginning of the budget process the Committee members were told that the following two rules would apply to the budget process: (1) The budget must be prepared without new taxes and (2) The rainy day funds could not be used to balance the budget.
The fact is that for most of the Republican and Democrat members do not have much say in changing the state budget once it is issued to the House. The entire process limits us to only offer small changes to the state budget.
Truth #2 - The Budget Cuts Are Severe
House Bill 1 is a $164.5 billion two-year budget that is approximately $23 billion less than the current budget that ends on August 31 2011. If approved it calls for deep cuts to education social services and essentially every area of state government. I wish this wasnt true.
Truth #3 - Budget Process is Lengthy and Complicated
The link below will take to web page that contains a flow chart to help you understand where we are in the budget process (highlighted in yellow) and what steps are next (highlighted in gray). If you click on the boxes youll see weve linked to the applicable web sites and documents so that you can take a look for yourself at the bills being considered. Budget Chart Link
As of today the budget process is not over. The passage of HB 1 from the House this past week is just one of many steps in the budget process. The Senate will be issuing their own version of the state budget in a few weeks. The differences that exist between the House bill and Senate bill will be worked out in the Conference Committee sometime before May 10. Once a final conference bill is issued then both the Senate and the House will vote for final approval before it is sent to the Governor for his approval or veto.
Conclusion
Finally as I have been saying since February there are many reasons to remain optimistic. First we are not through with the budget process. Second we have an expectation that Comptroller Combs will be issuing a new update on available funds that will be available for next years budget. I expect something from her before the end of May and later in the summer. Third due to the increase in the price of oil there will be additional funds added to the Rainy Day Fund in the near future. This additional money perhaps $2 billion could be used to fund future expenses in the new budget.
News from Austin
Appropriations Committee Update
We have about six bills that were announced today that will be heard in the Appropriations Committee this week.
Insurance Committee Update
This week we are scheduled to discuss many different pieces of legislation. The are almost 20 bills on the agenda for Tuesday.
House Floor Update
The week there will be many pieces of legislation that will be heard by the full House. Perhaps the most notable will be one of the Sunset bills. More on this next week.
All committee meetings can be either viewed on live streaming video or they are archived. To watch one of our meetings log on to:
http://www.house.state.tx.us/video-audio/
Update on Torres Legislation
Consumer Protection: Last week I presented to the Economic Committee HB 3151. If approved it will close a loophole in our state law that makes it possible for others to obtain private personal information that is collected by one of the state agencys website.
Economic Development: HB 1316 if approved will allow for the City of Corpus Christi to receive a rebate of all sales tax and hotel tax revenues collected from a new convention center hotel once it is opened.
Elections: Yesterday I presented my E-Voting bill HB 2173 to the Elections Committee. If approved this would setup a state pilot program to allow our active military personnel who are serving overseas to receive and cast their ballot electronically.
Insurance: On Tuesday I am scheduled to present two bills in the Insurance Committee. HB172 deals with raising the dependent age to 26 years old. HB 3157 will permit insurance companies to automate their abilbty to offer high risk automobile policies in Texas. Currently they must manually write the auto policy.
For follow our complete Torres legislation this session please click on this link: Torres Authored and Co-Authored Legislation
News from Corpus Christi
Big Brother Big Sister Appreciation Dinner held at the Police Officers Association Facility on March 31 was attended by Volunteers Georgie Marsh and Glenn Ellen Dreggors on behalf of Rep. Raul Torres. This event is one of the most important nights of the year; with the opportunity to thank the volunteers who give so generously of their time and an opportunity to thank the donors who make it possible.
Wednesday Morning Group Meeting has been having very good turnouts for their breakfast meeting that are held at Kikos on Everhart. Come join other local business leaders and concerned citizens from the coastal bend to share ideas and information concerning South Texas.
PIBA Mixer this month was held and hosted by Stewart Title on the Island. It was an unbelievable turnout. There was live music lots of food fun and a great opportunity to network.
