Weekly Newsletter: April 1, 2011
April 1, 2011
Dear Friends,
This week was without a doubt the most significant week to date.
The House debated House Bill 1, also known as the budget bill. In addition to HB 1, HB 4 and HB 275 were considered on the House floor. House Bill 4 enacts about $1 billion in budget cuts that state leaders ordered last year as the budget crisis unfolded. House Bill 275 allows for the use of $3.1 billion from the Rainy Day Fund. While I voted in favor of HB 1, the decisions that came with passing this bill were extremely difficult. I, along with my Republican colleagues in the House worked diligently to see that only responsible cuts were made. We were careful to support amendments on these bills that would protect the state’s Rainy Day Fund and reduce the amount needed to appropriate from it.
I campaigned on a promise to balance the state’s budget without raising taxes, and we have now come one step closer to final legislation that does just that. The process required to pass a budget bill is strenuous, but this year we were able to identify areas of inefficiency and ways to save. Rather than allocating the same amounts to the same agencies each year, departments had to justify their need for funds. HB 1 is the result of long hours, informed debate, and critical determination. I look forward to a final bill that will make Texans proud.
This week was also significant regarding my own legislative agenda. House Bill 976, otherwise known as the e-search warrant bill, was voted out of the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee. This bill allows for magistrates to more expeditiously issue search and arrest warrants via an electronic broadcast system.
Additionally, the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee heard HB 1029, which requires repeat burglary offenders to be monitored by a GPS electronic monitor as a condition of bond while awaiting trial. Property crime is the number one offense in Dallas according to the Dallas Chief of Police. HB 1029 will aid law enforcement in cutting down on these repeat offenses, and will be voted on in the Committee this week.
Finally, four more of my bills will be heard in committees this week. House Bills 3311 and 3314, both relating to the responsibilities of attorneys ad litem, will be heard in Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence. These bills seek to hold attorneys ad litem accountable in their duties to meet with their child clients early and often enough to adequately prepare to represent their best interests in court.
House Bill 3756 will be heard in the Business and Industry Committee. This bill originated from a constituent concern and my staff and I have diligently worked to ensure that it is heard. HB 3756 provides interior designers with legal recourse in the form of a lien when they spend time and money on a project but do not get paid.
House Bill 3669 will be heard on Wednesday in the State Affairs Committee. This bill seeks to privatize the Public Utility Commission’s website with the purpose of making it more user friendly. The PUC’s site offers information to customers regarding the power to choose retail electric providers.
Next week promises to be a busy and exciting one as I continue to work on legislation that seeks to protect my constituents and all the citizens of Texas. Please stay in touch by visiting my House website.
As always, I’m honored to be your voice in Austin.
Sincerely,
Stefani Carter
