Weekly Newsletter: June 6, 2011

June 8, 2011

Dear Friends,

This week the Texas House of Representatives wrapped up the regular session of the 82nd Legislature. One of the toughest challenges we lawmakers faced this session is a severe budget shortfall. Our goal was to craft a state budget that is balanced, does not raise taxes, uses no Economic Stabilization funds, and funds essential government services while making the right decisions that will minimize impacts to our public schools. The budget we approved contains the largest budget cuts in our state’s history. Yet additional funding of our public schools in this biennium is one reason I voted in favor of a one-time use of the Economic Stabilization fund in the amount of $3.1 billion. I am pleased to report that no nursing homes will be closed, and the budget, relative to the initial budget introduced at the beginning of the session, includes $6 billion more for our public schools.

While we approved HB 1, last week when an important bill containing crucial school finance provisions failed in the Senate (SB 1811), it became apparent a special session would come. Indeed, the Governor announced a special session on May 30, 2011. Legislators were called back on Tuesday to consider the following issues:

  • Legislation relating to fiscal matters necessary for the implementation of House Bill No. 1, as passed by the 82nd Legislature, Regular Session, including measures that will allow school districts to operate more efficiently.
  • Legislation relating to health care cost containment, access to services through managed care, and the creation of economic and structural incentives to improve the quality of Medicaid services.
  • Legislation relating to Congressional redistricting.

Regarding school districts, our current school finance formula was crafted years ago and has not changed. Over time, the formula has allowed some districts to expand greatly with non-classroom spending, while others have inherent funding disparities. This system must be revised in this special session because the State can no longer afford the unfair funding models used in the past. Revising the formula will allow schools to eliminate inefficiencies, which promises to yield significant savings in order to help budget writers balance the budget within available revenue now and in the future.

While the budget is the only bill that must be passed each session, Governor Perry granted emergency status to a number of initiatives including voter ID (SB 14), sonogram legislation (HB 15), the abolition of sanctuary cities (HB 12), and eminent domain (SB 18). The House successfully passed each of these measures, but the Senate failed to get HB 12 to the floor for debate. SB 14, HB 15, and SB 18 have all already been signed into law by the Governor. My Republican colleagues in the House and I are hopeful that Governor Perry will add anti-sanctuary city and other anti-illegal immigration legislation to the call in an effort to give lawmakers a second chance to pass this critical legislation.

I have also had a number of my personal legislative initiatives already signed into law or are awaiting approval by the Governor including but not limited to:

  • HB 976 – Authored legislation to assist law enforcement by allowing for requests for warrants to be made through secure video conferencing. Sent to the Governor on May 24, 2011.
  • HB 1343/SB 485 – Sponsored legislation expediting the prosecution of mortgage fraud cases which alleviates the burden that high case loads place on our courts. Sent to the Governor on May 21, 2011.
  • HB 3311 – Authored legislation ensuring that a child’s best interests are represented in a court of law. Sent to the Governor on May 27, 2011.
  • HB 3314 – Authored legislation holding 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. Sent to the Governor on May 26, 2011.
  • HB3670/SB 265 – Sponsored House legislation ensuring that those taking care of our children are properly trained by individuals with specified, relevant knowledge. Signed into law on May 19, 2011.
  • SB 1103 – Sponsored legislation allowing for easier prosecution of theft cases in which property has been transported across county lines. Sent to the Governor on May 25, 2011.

Of the over 6,000 bills filed this session, more than 1,300 were sent to the Governor for approval. Upon receiving a bill, the governor has 10 days in which to sign the bill, veto it, or allow it to become law without a signature. If a bill is sent to the Governor within 10 days of final adjournment, the Governor has until 20 days after final adjournment to sign the bill, veto it, or allow it to become law without a signature.

Pictured: Rep. Stefani Carter and fellow female legislators of the 82nd Legislature.

As we continue our work here in Austin during the special session, I encourage you to stay in touch by visiting my House website and my Facebook page.

As always, I’m honored to be your voice in Austin.


Sincerely,
Stefani Carter