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House begins 3rd special session; tax-free weekend begins Friday The legislative hourglass has been turned over again at your state capitol. The coffee pots have been refilled. Bags that never had a chance to be packed have been stuffed back into closets. And lawmakers who may have wondered what an entire summer in Austin would be like are getting the chance to find out. After the House failed to reach the 100-vote threshold we needed in order to pass a constitutional amendment regarding transportation funding, Governor Perry has called a third consecutive special session - something that hasn’t occurred since 2005. As with all special sessions, we are subject to the will of the Governor when it comes to what issue(s) to address. Transportation funding is the only item currently listed on the third special session call, although there is lots of speculation a Tuition Revenue Bond bill could be added in the coming days.
The road to better roads
Since the first special session at the end of May, which seems like a lifetime ago, I have given my support to several proposed transportation funding measures brought before the House. I have repeatedly, in these columns, said that the proposed legislation would certainly not solve our state’s transportation problems, but it would be a step in the right direction. I stand by that assessment, as the additional $900 million in funds that would have resulted from HJR2, would only cover approximately one fourth of the state’s transportation needs. In addition to this measure, I remain open to any new ideas that may be proposed during this new special session that addresses the fund-
OPINION, ETC.
Thursday, August 8, 2013 DOWN
TRENT ASHBY
State Representative
ing challenges for road construction and maintenance on the increasingly traveled roads of our great state. It is my hope that during this session the Legislature will be able to agree on, and pass, a measure that equates to a positive step for transportation-- no matter how big or small that step may be.
Let us hear your voice As we head, at some point, into the interim, several ad hoc committees will be established by the Speaker to study various issues that might need to be addressed by the Legislature during the upcoming 84th Session. In addition, many of the House committees will be researching areas and holding hearings as well. My office wants to hear from you, and get feedback on what issue that you would like to see addressed during the interim. I am here to represent you, and my staff is here to work for you, so feel free to let us know what is important to you. All matters can be emailed to my Legislative Director at Nick.Wade@house.state. tx.us. We look forward to hearing from you.
Tax-Free Weekend
SB 485 past during the Regular Session and sets Aug. 9-11 as the dates of this year’s annual Sales Tax Holiday. As in previous years, the law exempts most clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks priced under $100 from sales and use taxes. This is a great time for parents to save money on back-to-school items for their students.
Contact
As always, my staff and I are available during the week at 936-634-2762 or 512-463-0508.
Theme:
The Sixties ACROSS
1. Coffee + chocolate 6. Drunkard’s sound? 9. What little piggy did 13. Makes eyes at 14. Under the weather 15. *”The Graduate” or “Easy Rider” 16. Un-written exams 17. Downhill equipment 18. Chilled 19. *1960s Activists and agitators 21. State of good health and fitness 23. Miner’s bounty
24. *Popular hairstyle 25. To eat a little at a time, as in hot soup 28. Layer 30. Devoid of reverence 35. Bookkeeping entry 37. *”The ____ of the Game” TV series 39. Denotes an accomplishment 40. Novice 41. Ivan and Nicholas, e.g. 43. Atmosphere 44. Relating to the ilium 46. On the cutting edge 47. *Ngo Dinh ____ 48. *”The Party’s Over” singer 50. Excellent
52. Get the picture 53. *”I read the ____ today oh boy” 55. African grazer 57. *Power plant 60. *Liverpool group, following “the” 64. Luau greeting 65. *”Posion ___” covered by the Stones and the Hollies 67. Beauty pageant wear 68. Short African 69. Butterfly catcher 70. Cupcake topper 71. Epic poem 72. “Fancy that!” 73. “Who ___?”
1. *Eagle’s landing spot 2. Fairytale beast 3. Bird’s foot 4. *Oscar winner “_____, Dolly!” 5. Declare with confidence 6. Middle Ages subj. 7. Kind of person 8. North face, e.g. 9. Refuses to 10. Bad to the bone 11. Cote d’Azur locale 12. Casual attire 15. *Detroit’s soul recorder 20. Deceive by a mock action 22. *The Sixties, e.g. 24. Large fleets 25. *Greensboro Woolworth’s event 26. Of service 27. Jeopardy 29. Comfort 31. *”Take a ____ off,” sang The Band in ‘68 32. Lady’s pocketbook 33. Loose rocks at base of mountain 34. State of dishonor 36. Extinct flightless birds 38. Therefore 42. “The Playboy of the Western World” author 45. *”I Love You More Today” singer Twitty 49. Adams ___ Beckham 51. Related on mother’s side 54. Twist before hanging on clothesline 56. Ancient city in Africa 57. Let heads or tails decide 58. *Woodstock’s had a dove on a guitar 59. Electrical resistance units 60. Eight bits 61. Animal den 62. European sea eagle 63. Droops 64. *”You damn dirty ___,” shouted Heston 66. V
Five reforms over last 7 months
While we made great progress towards a transportation funding deal over the last few weeks, the second special session ended Tuesday before the House and Senate came to a consensus. Gov. Perry called us back for a third special session beginning the same day to finish the job. At this point my weekly column will revert back to a monthly column and I am hopeful that when you hear from me again the first week of September, I will have good news to report regarding transportation! In this last column for the legislative session and first two special sessions, instead of telling you five things that happened just this week, I thought we could look back at five areas where the Legislature made reforms during the last seven months.
Balanced state budget with no new taxes
Unlike the federal government, the Texas Legislature is constitutionally required to pass a balanced budget each session. Not only did we accomplish this, but we were able to ensure that the budget grew less than the rate of inflation and population growth. This biennium’s budget, which accounts for the next two years in state spending, was able to restore funding to many areas which have suffered over the past two years. Among those areas, the budget improved funding levels for public schools, colleges, mental health services and the women’s health program. And unlike states that have
ROBERT NICHOLS
passes a test at least four weeks after the date of the failed test.
large deficits, we have more than $8 billion in our rainy day fund.
Cutting business taxes
State Senator
Reduced school standardized testing
Perhaps one of the most significant moments of this session was when Gov. Perry signed HB 5 into law. This bill cuts the number of standardized tests required for students to graduate from 15 to five. In addition, it enhances career and technical education programs in schools to give students more choice in their future career path. I have consistently heard from an overwhelming number of parents, teachers and school administrators that believe our kids are being over-tested. This bill, now a law, will allow teachers more time to teach, and will allow students more time to learn.
Requiring drug testing for unemployed benefits
Good news! Recent changes in federal law allow states to require drug-testing for claimants of unemployment insurance under certain circumstances. Therefore, this legislative session we passed a bill amending the Texas Unemployment Compensation Act by adding a drug-testing eligibility requirement for applicants to receive unemployment compensation benefits. \Claimants who refuse drug testing or fail such tests would be barred from receiving unemployment insurance benefits until the individual
Who to Call
State Rep. Trent Ashby Austin Office
936 634-2762 512 463-0508
State Sen. Robert Nichols
936 699-4988
Constable Ray Anthony
936 829-2547
Mayor John McClain City Manager Dennis McDuffie City Hall (water, garbage, sewer) Diboll Police Department Diboll Fire Department
936 829-2779 936 829-4757 936 829-4857 936 829-5586 936 829-5555
Diboll ISD
Super’s office 936 829-4718
Just before the end of the regular session, the Legislature passed over $1.3 billion in business tax cuts which should go a long way in helping to sustain Texas’ great economic climate. This included a permanent franchise tax exemption for small businesses with revenue less than $1 million. For most other businesses, it’s a 2.5 percent rate reduction in fiscal year 2014 and a 5 percent reduction in fiscal year 2015. As a former manufacturer and business owner, I can tell you how helpful this is and how it helps to spur economic growth. As Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst said, passing the franchise tax proposal “sends a clear message that we are committed to sustaining the country’s best climate for job creation.”
Funding for state water plan
Finally, I wanted to let you know that the
Legislature passed a bill and joint resolution this session to fund the State Water Plan. Specifically, HB 4 will create the State Water Implementation Fund of Texas (SWIFT) to provide a fund to finance projects in the State Water Plan. There seems to be a growing consensus that Texas must address the need for long-term water planning and projects. As increasing numbers of people move to our great state, there is a growing gap between the projected demand for water, and the amount of the resource available. SWIFT will put an emphasis on conservation, reuse and rural projects. HB 4 is paired with SJR 1, a constitutional amendment which will appear on November ballots to be voted up or down. The choice ultimately will belong to the citizens of Texas.
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