By Senator Ken Paxton
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Last week the Senate passed Senate Joint Resolution 1 a proposed Constitutional Amendment
to give voters an opportunity to approve a plan to fund the States Water & Transportation Infrastructure and Public Education through a
one-time use of a portion of the states Rainy Day Fund enabling investment in the states future without taking on additional debt.
Throughout the session I have also been advocating ways to meet our states essential long-term needs while providing tax relief including filing legislation to eliminate longstanding diversions of funds from the state Highway fund and to phase out the state business franchise tax.
I supported SJR 1 because it gives voters the chance to directly weigh in on funding for these key areas.
The proposal would allow use of a portion of the Rainy Day Fund for:
- $800 million for public education
- $2 billion for long-term water projects in the State Water Plan
- $2.9 billion for essential transportation infrastructure projects
This legislation begins to address three of the key issues we face in Texas while ensuring that the Rainy Day Fund retains a healthy balance for future emergency needs. In education this plan promotes a more equitable formula funding system for public schools.
Due in part to our population growth Texas transportation and water resources are at a critical juncture with the state facing demand for the construction and maintenance of new roads and for long-term water resources.
SJR 1 would enable construction and maintenance of highways without a tax increase and without exclusively relying on toll roads for added highway capacity. It would also allow for a one-time allocation of funds to create a dedicated account for financing projects in the State Water Plan.
The account would be replenished as the loans for the water projects are repaid.
The Texas Senate also recently passed a bill I authored SB 929 to provide home-school students the opportunity to participate in University Interscholastic League (UIL) activities. Currently home-school students have no choice in participating in UIL activities.
This legislation provides these students an equal opportunity to participate in academic and athletic competitions alongside public-school students in their attendance areas.
Everyone agrees these are high-priority issues that must be addressed to ensure the health and strength of our state as we move into the future and I believe that a transparent approach approved by the voters is a good way to move
forward. SJR 1 which is a major priority for many of the businesses in Senate District 8 has now moved to the Texas House for consideration.
The legislature still has the opportunity to consider legislation to reduce taxes like the two I filed and referenced above. As we move toward the end of session I will continue to push for tax-reducing legislation like those and others.
State Senator Ken Paxton was elected to the Texas Senate in 2012 after serving five terms in the Texas House of Representatives. His Senate District 8 includes the majority of Collin County including the cities of Allen Frisco McKinney Plano Richardson and part of Dallas County.
