July 26th, 2007
Today, 47 Texas House Democratic lawmakers called on Governor Rick Perry to restore $154 million cut from the state budget for public community and junior colleges.
Earlier this summer, Perry used line-item veto authority to strike higher education employees group insurance contributions for public community and junior colleges from the fiscal year 2009 funding. The veto has drawn harsh criticism from leaders all across the state. Without the funds, community and junior colleges may be forced to raise local taxes, tuition and fees, and/or cut instructional services.
In a joint-letter to Perry, Democratic House members requested that the he use his legal authority to reverse the veto’s effect and restore the funds needed by all 50 Texas public community colleges. The letter compares Perry’s veto to a “tax increase on middle-class Texans who are working hard to build better lives by obtaining a community or junior college education.”
“Texas must truly invest in public education if we want to secure a better tomorrow. Governor Perry’s unwise decision to veto these funds will harm hard-working Texas families,” House Democratic Caucus Chair Jim Dunnam said. “With so many community leaders across Texas calling on him to act responsibly, hopefully he will see the light and correct his mistake.”
The governor, in conjunction with the Legislative Budget Board (LBB), has the statutory and constitutional authority to replace the $154 million. House Speaker Tom Craddick and Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst, as the Joint-Chairs of the LBB, must also agree to restore the funds. There is ample time for the governor and LBB to take action since the vetoed funds were appropriated for the 2008-2009 school year. However, community and junior colleges will soon begin to set their budgets for that year and, with the governor’s veto of these critical funds, may be forced to plan for increasing taxes or cutting educational services.
Read the letter to Governor Perry.
Posted in Press Releases, Legislation
June 25th, 2007
The Texas League of Conservation Voters, a coalition of Texans committed to clean air, clean water, and access to public lands, water, fish and wildlife has recognized Rep. Pete Gallego as a 2007 “Legislative Champion” for his work on water issues.
“Rep. Gallego understands that water is the lifeblood of his district and this state, and that there is no issue more important or complex. He knows the facts, engaged in the process, and puts his nose to the grindstone to make sure things get done. His leadership and work on this issue set a high standard for all elected officials,” said TLCV Executive Director, Colin Leyden.
Ensuring that our rivers and streams maintain adequate “freshwater flows” for fish, wildlife and recreation is of critical importance to Texas’ economy and way of life. The mechanism for the state to purchase water rights to protect freshwater flows already exists in state law through the Texas Water Trust. Unfortunately, it has never been funded, and to date, the state has not purchased any water rights for “freshwater flows”.
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Posted in Notes, Legislation
March 23rd, 2007
Currently under the Local Government Code, Chapter 334, municipalities are authorized to derive revenue from sales and taxes to construct, operate, maintain or renovate municipal parks. County parks are not included in this definition. Terrell County is at a disadvantage because there are no nearby towns that are incorporated in the county; therefore they are ineligible to develop a recreation facility or park.
Under H.B. 1166, a county that has a population of less than 2,000 and that contains no incorporated territory of a municipality would be authorized to develop county parks and recreation systems under the definition of venue projects.
Posted in Legislation
March 23rd, 2007
Following the attacks of 9-11-01, the 78th Texas Legislature established the Star of Texas Award through HB 1937 to honor the sacrifice made by peace officers, firefighters, and emergency first responders who are seriously injured or killed in the line of duty. HB 1164 is a natural continuation of this important recognition.
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Posted in Legislation
March 23rd, 2007
Currently under the Education Code only children of members of the armed forces of the United States who are or were killed in action, who died in service, who were missing in action, or whose death is documented to be directly caused by illness or injury connected with service in the armed forces receive tuition assistance. We want to extend that benefit.
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Posted in Legislation
