At the Capitol • Local representatives speak out on tight budget • February 2009

At the Capitol • Local representatives speak out on tight budget • February 2009

Friday, 06 February 2009

Texas’ general revenue funds for the 2010-2011 biennium are 10.5 percent lower than for 2008-2009, Comptroller Susan Combs reported in January. That is a $9.1 billion decline, from $86.2 billion to $77.1 billion. Combs cited the main reasons for the shortfall as $3 billion reserved for property tax relief and projected declines in 2010-2011 tax revenues.

The state’s Rainy Day Fund is forecast to contain $6.7 billion at the end of 2009, Combs said. In mid-January, House and Senate lawmakers filed budgets that would draw from that reserve.

The House Budget would take $3.3 billion, and the Senate Budget would require $3.7 billion in Rainy Day funds. However, $1.4 billion from the Permanent School Fund might also become available for spending.

Round Rock and Pflugerville’s state representatives said the following about the comptroller’s report:

Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin

• 463-0506
• www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist46/dukes.php
• “As Texans feel less prepared for the future, it is my commitment as a member of the Texas Legislature to implement reforms that will help Texans in these challenging times and for years to come ... I have authored House Bill 584 to expand our Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Programs to many more deserving Texas families. With the recent passage of a child health bill by the United States Congress ... Texas legislators must take this unique opportunity to provide the 5.5 million uninsured Texans access to preventative health care in order that they may live healthy and productive lives.”

Dan Gattis, R-Georgetown

• 463-0309
• www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist20/gattis.php
• “Does it affect what I wanted to work on and what issues I wanted to address? It certainly does. I don’t think anybody can say it doesn’t affect them in some form or another. I worked on an interim study on natural resources, on water funding, to make sure we have enough water in the future. That will certainly be affected by budget crunch.”

Diana Maldonado, D-Round Rock

• 463-0670
• www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist52/maldonado.php
• “My legislative priorities have not changed in light of the recent news out of the Texas Comptroller’s office of the state’s expected drop in revenue. I ran my campaign on a legislative platform that included strengthening our public and higher education programs, protecting our homeowners and improving our state’s transportation systems. It is my job, along with my colleagues in the legislature, to provide Texans with the services and programs they need in a fiscally responsible manner, and that is what I intend to work toward.”

Mark Strama, D-Austin

• 463-0821
• www.house.state.tx.us/members/dist50/strama.php
• “The numbers weren’t surprising. It won’t have that much of an effect on my priorities. I wasn’t planning any new major spending initiatives ... I think we’ll be glad when we go through this process that in the previous Legislative Session we chose to save money for the Rainy Day Fund and tax property relief fund for just this kind of situation.”

New House Speaker

House Speaker, Joe Straus, R-San Antonio

• 463-3000
• www.house.state.tx.us/speaker

The sudden rise of state Rep. Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, to House Speaker in just his third Legislative Session surprised most political observers. Displacing state Rep. Tom Craddick, R-Midland, Straus has promised renewed bipartisanship and civility in the House Chamber.

“I think he’s got the right temperament and disposition for the job,” state Rep. Mark Strama, D-Austin, said.

Responsible for forming House committees, the Speaker is regarded as one of the three most powerful leadership positions in state government, along with the Governor and Lt. Governor.

Straus represents House District 121, including northeast San Antonio and its affluent suburbs.

“I’m really excited about the potential here. I think he will allow us to work together as a House,” state Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, said.

Important dates

• March 13 — 60th day, deadline to file major bills without suspending rules
• June 1 — “Sine Die,” the last day of the 81st Regular Session
• June 21 — The last day for Gov. Rick Perry to sign or veto bills
• Aug. 31 — Date that bills without specific effective dates become law