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- The Texas Report 3/24
The Texas Report 3/24
Happy Friday!
Representative Jared Patterson
Written by: Jay Williamson
Statewide News Round-Up
Since our last newsletter, there have been hearings regarding several significant legislative issues. As we reported, Senate Education heard various proposals to create a voucher system for Texas public education. There was over eleven hours of testimony, with supposedly 250 people registering to testify against the bills.
This was part of a string of contentious education hearings, as Wednesday evening, House Public Education heard H.B. (House Bill) 900 by Representative Jared Patterson (R-Frisco), which would require all public school students to receive parental approval before checking out a book or other material containing sexual conduct and testimony lasted until midnight. In laying out his bill, Patterson said, "This is not a 'Fahrenheit 451'-style book ban. This is not a fight about silencing minority voices.” Some of the books Patterson mentioned found in Texas school libraries with sexually explicit content include "Perks of Being a Wallflower, Damsel, and Gender Queer."
The Texas Association of School Boards registered for the bill, and there was a significant amount of people who testified on both sides of the issue. The fear that some educators pointed out is a broad definition of "sexually explicit materials" could end up including classic stories like the famous Texas Western "Lonesome Dove" or even the Bible. (Learn More)
Other major priority bills heard this week included H.B. 19 & Senate Bill (S.B.) 27 by Representative Andrew Murr (R-Kerrville) and Senator Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola). This legislation is intended to create a new specialty trial court focused solely on business issues, including controversies exceeding $10 million. This "business court" would consist of seven judges appointed by the Governor for two-year terms of office. Several companies testified in favor of the bill explaining that this type of court exists in twenty-eight other states and could lead to more companies choosing to headquarters in Texas. On the other hand, many of the opponents of the bill, primarily representing the trial bar and various justices from across the state, challenged the constitutionality of the bill as, in most cases, Texans elect their judges.
Some other contentious issues heard this week:
S.B. 12 & S.B. 1601 by Senator Hughes (R-Mineola) designating drag shows as "sexually oriented performances" and making it illegal for anyone younger than eighteen to attend.
S.B. 6 & S.B. 7 by Senator Charles Schwertner, which are the Senate priority bills related to reforming the Texas Electric Grid and establishing a Texas Energy Insurance program and other funding mechanisms to incentivize the construction and operation of additional electric generating facilities.
House Joint Resolution (H.J.R.) 155 by Representative Charlie Geren (R-Fort Worth), which would propose a constitutional amendment for Texas voters to decide on legalizing sports and casino gambling in the state of Texas.
The Texas Senate officially passed a $16.5 BILLION package for lowering property taxes. Author of SB 3 Senator Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) said, “This is off-the-charts, incredible property tax relief for millions of Texas homeowners." The package includes a bump on the homestead exemption from $40,000 to $70,000, with an additional increase of $20,000 for seniors. SB 3 would save a homeowner who pays the state’s average school tax rate an additional $341 on their annual tax bill — and save seniors another $227 each year. Another property tax bill SB 4, would require the state add $5.38 billion into public schools to cut property tax rates by seven cents for every $100 in property value. These bills all passed unanimously, with all thirty-one senators (Eighteen Republicans & Thirteen Democrats) voting for the legislation. (Learn More)
Governor Greg Abbott Governor Greg Abbott directed the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) to prepare state emergency response resources ahead of severe weather moving across the state, expected to impact Texas communities yesterday through this evening. For severe weather safety information, visit texasready.gov. (Press Release)
In a recent interview with KFYO in Lubbock, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick said that the Texas Gambling Bills lack the necessary Republican votes to pass the Senate. For the legislation to move forward, twenty-one of the thirty-one-member Senate would need to vote in favor of the legislation meaning nine Republicans would have to vote with twelve democrats. Patrick, however, requires a higher standard in the Senate, saying fifteen or sixteen Republicans would need to support the legislation in the Senate for it to pass, considering he doesn't want it to appear as if a "Democratic majority" is leading the push. (More here)
Patrick said, "I'm not letting the Democrats run the Senate because if you have more Democrats voting for a bill than Republicans … that means they're running the show." The primary House proposals for this topic are all carried by Republicans, and powerful Senator Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) has her own legislation to allow sports betting. The Lt. Governors' comments are interesting as many of the most conservative members of the Texas Senate have agreed to coauthor Kolkhorst's legislation. Gambling legislation will live or die by what the Lieutenant Governor decides to do, as he wields significant authority over the Senate. (As reported by the Houston Chronicle, more than 300 lobbyists are working on expanding the gambling sector in Texas. )
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients will see cuts in food benefits starting this month. COVID-19 federal stimulus packages raised the amounts received for a majority of Texans, and the average household is expected to see a monthly reduction of $212. Several bills have been filed to expand potential SNAP recipients to include low-income students in vocational and technical degree programs and re-valuate the program to better account for cost increases due to inflation. (More here)
A memo by House Democratic Caucus Chair Trey Martinez Fischer (D-San Antonio) was recently reported on by the Dallas Morning News and gave some insight into the democratic strategies this session. Fischer encouraged members that when floor debates commence on legislation, "we need to adjust our focus to floor procedure, negotiations, and using our leverage in a session ripe with 2/3 vote opportunities." Essentially Fischer wants to use the GOP priorities, which will require some Democratic support, to create opportunities for his caucus's priorities. Fischer explained, "this is not normal to have so many opportunities." "To put it succinctly, this is the path leadership has chosen to spend a once-in-a-lifetime surplus without voting to exceed our spending limit." In discussions with GOP leadership, "they know what we know—leadership needs the votes of the Democratic caucus to pass their priorities." (Original Story)
Texas Republican party chairman responded to the story and tweeted, "Democrats are going “create leverage” by taking a deeply unpopular position that hurts Texas families? Bold move, Cotton. Let’s see if it pays off." (Official Tweet)
REMINDER
Former President Donald Trump is supposed to hold the first rally of his 2024 campaign in Waco this Saturday, March 25. The former president's team announced that the rally would be at the Waco Regional Airport. According to a recent C.W.S. Research poll in a hypothetical 2024 Texas Republican primary, Trump leads with 43% of the likely voters compared to Ron DeSantis at 27% and Nikki Haley at 5%. (More here) The event will begin with guest speakers at 2:00 p.m. and conclude with remarks by Trump at 5:00 p.m. (More here) It will be interesting to see which Texas politicians endorse the former president, as some have already thrown their support to Desantis, like U.S. Representative Chip Roy (R-Austin).
This is may be impacted by the potential indictment and arrest of the former president, who said last Saturday he expected to be Tuesday (yesterday). (More here)
According to February polling from the Texas Politics Project at the University of Texas at Austin, 56% of Republicans said Trump should run again. (Polling data)
Committee schedule for next week: (More to come)
Monday - Senate Nominations, Water, Agriculture & Rural Affairs. House Public Health, Business & Industry, Higher Education, Ways & Means, Energy Resources, Youth Health & Safety, Select.
Tuesday - Senate Business & Commerce. House Human Services, Insurance, International Relations & Economic Development, Natural Resources, Public Education, Corrections, Criminal Jurisprudence, Homeland Security & Public Safety, and Urban Affairs.
Wednesday - Senate Transportation & House Transportation.
Potential Articles of Interest
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68 days till Sine Die (Last day of the legislative session)
State Budget
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Happy Friday!!
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