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The TEXAS Insider

Happy Monday and MLK Day!

News from across the State

Lt. Governor Dan Patrick sat down with WFAA in Dallas and laid out his priorities for the 88th session. Some highlights:

• Raise the Homestead Exemption from $40,000 to maybe even $70,000

• Some form of voucher system, which he described as "parental freedom."

• Mandatory ten-year sentence for committing a crime with a gun

• When asked about carving out exceptions in abortions for rape or incest, he didn't see it as likely to come up unless there was significant support from Republicans.

• Establish a permanent fund to support rural law enforcement.

Link to his interview.

Governor Abbott released updated numbers on Texas's efforts to bus migrants from the border to various sanctuary cities across the country.

• Over 9,100 to DC

• Over 5,200 to NYC

• Over 1,500 to Chicago

• Over 890 to Philadelphia

Exxon is preparing a $2 billion oil refinery expansion in Beaumont, Texas. (Official article here.)

We've already made it through the first week of the Texas session! Considering how early it was, there was little action. However, a few interesting things happened over the last week that will have a significant impact on the rest of the session. The Texas House added new rules creating punishments for members who leave to impede the action of the house. Texas House Democrats employed this strategy in the last session, where several members left the state to break quorum and make it impossible for the House to take up legislation on several controversial issues. The new rules add fines and potential expulsion for members who intentionally try to block house business via quorum break. (Summary on last session's quorum break)

In addition to these new rules, hundreds of conservative activists were in the Capitol last Thursday, advocating for no Democratic chairs. Here's a social media link to give you an idea about the size of the crowd. We will know House committee assignments at the end of January or early February.

The state GOP chairman has signaled that the party may censure Republicans they see as supportive of democratic chairs. Which could be eighty-three of the eighty-six republican house members.

In March, all Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients will see a reduction in their benefits. This affects over 3.6 million Texans, who received a temporary increase when Congress raised the maximum amount received during the pandemic. (More here)

The Governor recently made several appointments to various boards and commissions. Brittny Allred of Dallas and Elvis Williams of Fair Oaks Ranch were appointed to the Teacher Retirement System Board of Trustees for terms expiring in 2027. Elvis is an assistant superintendent at Edgewood ISD, and Brittny is a principal at Luther King Capital Management, an investment firm with approximately $22 billion in assets under management.

Albert Trevino was appointed to the Texas Workforce Commission as the Commissioner representing Labor. Trevino has nearly thirty-three years of law enforcement and border patrol experience.

Start Survey

Legislative Report

Over 1,819 bills have been filed as of 1/16/23. This Tuesday will be the Governor's inauguration, and we will be looking to see what priorities Governor Abbott may outline for the 88th session.

Agriculture

HB 73 by Representative Andrew Murr (R-Kerrville) would, among other things, add trespassers to the list of liability-limited actions by firefighters or peace officers relating to livestock or agricultural land. Lessee would also be added to the statute and have the same protections as a landowner. Landowners or lessees would not be liable for damages involving livestock and peace officers or trespassers who enter their property.

Elections

HB 1299 by Representative Candy Noble (R-Collin) would require that a voter only use ink on paper when signing an official ballot carrier envelope. Electronic or photocopied signatures would not be permitted.

HB 1208 by Representative Ryan Guillen (R-Rio Grande) requires the Secretary of State to create rules allowing a child under the age of fourteen to read and mark a ballot when accompanying their parent in a voting station.

Education

HB 1334 by Representative Gervin Hawkins (D-San Antonio) would, among other things, require the State Board of Education to develop a curriculum on cultural inclusivity for public and charter schools. The curriculum would have to encourage critical thinking about bias, acceptance of diversity of identification, and more.

SJR 29 by Senator Angela Paxton (R-McKinney) would propose a constitutional amendment establishing a parent's right to direct a child's education. A parent would have the right to choose an alternative to public education and access and view public school teaching materials. There are no details about how this new voucher system would function.

Border

HCR 11 by Representative JM Lozano (R-Portland) would urge the president of the United States to keep Title 42 in place.

Your Legislators

Representative Gary VanDeaver has eleven bills as of 01/16/23. f you'd like to reach out to his office, they can be contacted at (512) 463-0692

Senator Bryan Hughes has filed seven pieces of legislation as of 01/16/23. If you'd like to reach out to his office, they can be contacted at (512) 463-0101.

Thanks for reading!

In Honor of Martin Luther King day a quote that rings true today. "If we are to have peace on earth, our loyalties must become ecumenical rather than sectional. Our loyalties must transcend our race, our tribe, our class, and our nation; and this means we must develop a world perspective."

As of 1/16/23, over 1,819 pieces of legislation have been filed.

Please let me know of anyone who may be interested in this newsletter!

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