Week 11: 89th Texas Legislature

Are you feeling a bit railroaded by the Texas Legislature this session?  I sure am!  In the Republican Senate, it seems like things are moving along really fast, but on a lot of issues that we Republicans didn't agree too.  They are someone's priorities, but not ours! 

The Senate's priorities appear to be Dan Patrick's priorities.  Things like the Dementia Institute, Increased homestead exemptions on property taxes (which help no one), closing down THC sales, and usurping the power of local governments to control the culture and flavor of their own communities.

In the House, all we have is Speaker Burrows controlling everything with a very heavy hand, ignoring committees who violate the rules, taking unconstitutional long recesses without a vote, and accomplishing absolutely nothing so far in week 11.

But I guess I should stop complaining.  After all, the Senate banned taxpayer funded lobbying, and the House banned Democrat chairs, so I guess we will be calling it the "MOST CONSERVATIVE SESSION EVER".

THIS WEEK:

Tuesday was Kids at the Capitol Day and it was outstanding!  We had 124 kids, parents and grandparents registered, for this special day geared to our young patriots-in-training.  We had Senator Angela Paxton and Representative Shelley Luther speak to them about their experience as legislators.  They had a visit to the Supreme Court building with Judge Kevin Yeary and Justice John Devine.  There was a surprise visit from an astronaut showing us how the space suit works which was a huge hit!  And we ended the day with a visit with Ag Commissioner Sid Miller, who told us about all the strange and wonderful things the Ag Commission does.  Did you know they are responsible for certifying ping pong balls? 

With this year’s focus on our youth, this experience at the Capitol was a great kick off.  We also are welcoming students to Texas Tough at a special student price, and we’re planning another round of Youth Certified True Texan Training in July.  Watch for information on that coming soon.  We have some amazing young people to be proud of!

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In The Senate:

The Senate moved a large number of bills this week.  The big daddy of them all was the biennial budget. (the only thing that they are constitutionally required to do).  It passed unanimously, and represents another huge increase in spending, particularly in NEW spending.  Read this great analysis of the Budget by Bill Peacock.  But not to worry!  They have allocated a whole $6 billion to property tax relief, so it’s all good.  (These folks love spending our money!)

One bill that we supported about teaching the evils of communism in public schools, SB24, also passed this week and has now been received in the House.

You may have read my social media post about concerning bills that impose state regulations on local municipalities regarding zoning, lot sizes, density, etc. all in the name of providing affordable housing.  We find these bills very concerning.  Read the FB post here.  The concerning bills are:

SB15 Passed Senate - HB3919 House companion

SB673 Out of Committee

SB840 Passed Senate - HB3404 House Companion 

SB854 On Senate Intent Calendar for 3/26 - HB3172 House Companion (in committee 3/27)

In The House:

I want everyone to give a big round of applause to the House!  They finally passed a bill out of a committee and sent it to the Calendars Committee and the Calendars Committee held their first meeting on Thursday.  It’s HB1522, which changes the posting requirements for open meetings from 72 hours to 3 business days.  (Some municipalities were using the 72 hr thing to hide stuff, by posting late Friday afternoon for a Monday meeting, so few people would see it.  Imagine that!)

Elsewhere in the House, zero bills were debated, and zero bills were passed.

NEXT WEEK:

On Tuesday April 1, we have another bus going to Austin from Grapevine, with a stop over in Burleson.  It’s not too late if you want to join the fun.  Seats are still available, and you can register here.

Our plan for the day will be:

1)  Deliver position papers to the Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence, for HB2895, Relating to the legal justification for using force or deadly force in response to the commission or attempted commission of a violent felony. 

This bill is being heard in committee on Tuesday at 10:30 AM or upon final adjournment of the House.  Room E2.016.  TXGR recommends support.

2) If you feel inspired to testify on HB 2895, prepare a 3 minute testimony.  If you want to say your represent TTP or TXGR with this testimony, you must submit your written testimony to  Chris McNutt or Fran Rhodes prior to the hearing date.  Otherwise, you would testify representing only yourself.

3) We will also go to the Kiosks to register support on the bill, even if not testifying.  (If you’ve never done this before – this is a really good thing to know how to do.)

4) We will also be dropping green cards to the House Calendars Committee on HB1522, as mentioned above to ask them to move it to a floor vote.

5) If time permits, we may distribute other position papers on priority issues.

MEETING PLACE:

Because meeting in the Rotunda or the corridor is crowded and noisy, we will meet up this week under the big gnarly tree that is just opposite the East entrance to the Capitol.  Here’s a photo of it:

If the weather is bad, we will meet up in the Seal Court in the Extension Level 2.  This is the open round area as you come out of the elevator corridor and located just below the Capitol Grille.  The Great Seal of the State of Texas is in mosaic tile on the floor. Here’s a photo of the Seal Court.

I will be on the bus, so I will lead the bus riders to the meet up place.  All others – meet under the tree if the weather is good, and if not, go to the Seal Court.

That's it for Week 11.  Only 9 left.  With things looking grim in both the Senate and House, we need all hands on deck!  This is not the time to pull back or give up.  As we like to say - Never give up!  Never surrender!

Stay engaged!  Hope to see you Tuesday!

Fran Rhodes, President.

[email protected]

SAVE THE DATES!

Tuesday Apr 8 - TTP Tuesdays at the Capitol

Tuesday Apr 15 - TTP Tuesdays at the Capitol

Tuesday Apr 22 - TTP Tuesdays at the Capitol

Tuesday Apr 29 - TTP Tuesdays at the Capitol

Tuesday May 6 - TTP Tuesdays at the Capitol - PLUS Bus from Cypress/Brenham

Tuesday May 13 - TTP Tuesdays at the Capitol

Tuesday May 20 - TTP Tuesdays at the Capitol

Bus Registrations can be found on the TTP Website

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