The following is a collection of news and notes from your State Capitol involving issues that affect House District 32.
82ND TEXAS LEGISLATURE OFFICIALLY ADJOURNS SINE DIE (ENDS)
On June 29th, the 82nd Texas Legislature formally adjourned sine die following a 140 day regular session and a 30 day special session. During the 170 days, the Texas House and the Texas Senate worked to tackle many difficult issues facing the State of Texas. Below is a brief glance at important accomplishments from the 82nd Regular Session and the First Called Special Session:
• Balanced 2012-13 biennial state budget that uses no new taxes; is fiscally responsible and lives within our means.
• Reduced All Funds spending by over $15 billion from the 2010-11 budget.
• Passed all four redistricting maps required this year.
• Provided $1.6 billion more dollars directly to our state’s public schools, a 5.6 percent increase in state funding.
• Promoted accountability and transparency in state government and in higher education and passed major sunset legislation including needed changes to the Texas Youth Commission.
• Reformed and updated the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association to protect homeowners along the Texas Coast.
• Protected the voting rights of military personnel who serve our country in the armed forces.
• Passed Governor’s emergency items including private property protection, sonogram legislation, and Voter ID legislation that protects the integrity of the ballot.
If you would like to view any of the other legislation that was worked on during the 82nd Regular Session and the first called special session, these websites are a great resource:
• The Texas Legislature
• The Texas House of Representatives
• The Texas Senate
THINGS TO COME DURING THE INTERIM
As the interim gets underway, a number of things will begin to take place both in Austin and here at home in the Coastal Bend. In the upcoming weeks, Speaker Joe Straus will begin discussing and collecting input from the members of the Texas House on ideas for possible interim charges. Interim charges are an important part of the legislative process. These charges are significant because it is during the interim period that the legislature has the opportunity to prepare for the upcoming 83rd legislative session. Texas House and Senate committees will have the opportunity during this time to hold public hearings either in Austin or throughout the state and discuss the issues that will be pertinent in the next legislative session.
An issue that I am looking forward to developing during this interim is the cruise industry for the Texas coast between Calhoun and Cameron Counties.
Also, now that session is over, we will soon be re-activating our satellite district offices. These offices will be manned by my Capitol staff. This will give you the chance to get to know or be reacquainted with the group I have had working for me in Austin. I will let you know the exact dates and times of those office hours as we finalize them.
If you have questions regarding any of the information mentioned in this article, please do not hesitate to call my Capitol or District Office. As always, my offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).
