Items of Interest Compiled by Arnold Public Affairs

While the 82^nd Session is just getting underway, the political season is never over. Debate on the Voter ID bill took center stage this week, which passed the Senate in just two days after regular committee hearings were skipped and rules were suspended to expedite a vote. The bill is likely to pass the House as well, though not nearly as quickly. As members prepare to address the next emergency item on the Governor’s list, amid shifting impact projections of the current budget proposals, things are likely to remain heated at the Capitol. Moreover, former Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams and former Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz have announced their intentions to run for the U. S. Senate seat to be vacated by Kay Hutchison, and Congressional Representative Ron Paul is rumored to be another potential candidate, along with Roger Williams (the former Secretary of State) Elizabeth Ames Jones (the current Railroad Commissioner) and David Dewhurst (the current Lieutenant Governor). Finally, Susan Combs, the current Texas Comptroller, has indicated that she intends to run for Lieutenant Governor since Lt. Governor Dewhurst will be vacating his position.

Below are some general items of interest pertaining to the latest political developments and important events:

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Perry Names Another Fast Track-Issue: Pre-Abortion Sonograms
“Receiving the day’s loudest and longest applause from thousands rallying against abortion, Gov. Rick Perry announced Saturday that he will designate as emergency legislation a bill requiring women seeking an abortion to first receive a sonogram of the fetus. Viewing an image from the womb and listening to the sound of the heartbeat — also required under the legislation — would ensure that each woman ‘understands the full impact of her decision, a decision that can scar her’ physically and emotionally, Perry said.”
(View full article here).

Texplainer: What is Texas’ Rainy Day Fund For?
“Just what is the Rainy Day Fund and why can’t lawmakers use it to help close our big budget shortfall? It’s boring (real) name is the Economic Stabilization Fund. It was established in 1989 after the oil bust, and it’s basically a giant savings account. The fund is replenished every year with natural gas and oil tax revenues…”
(View full article here).

Republican Dominated Texas House Adopts New Operating Rules, Adds Committees
“The Republican-led Texas House unanimously adopted new operating rules Monday, including a provision that could further minimize the ability of Democrats to influence legislation. The rules, which are adopted after the start of each biennial legislative session, will guide procedures in the chamber for the next two years. This year’s rules expand the number of House committees to include two new ones — the Government Efficiency and Reform Committee and the Economic and Small Business Development and Workforce Committee…”
(View full article here).

Consumers, Watch Your Wallets
“The report suggests suspending the annual sales tax holiday when the state is facing economic woes. Doing away with the holiday, a period when taxes are dropped from clothing, footwear, backpacks and school supply purchases under $100, would bring in $14.5 million this year and $97.3 million over the next two years, the report said. Texas Retailers Association president Ronnie Volkening said he would urge the Legislature to be cautious in repealing the sales tax holiday…”
(View full article here).

Texas Senate Passes GOP-Backed Voter ID Bill
“With a strong push from Republicans and over the vigorous objections of Democrats, the Senate on Wednesday approved legislation requiring all but elderly Texans to show a photo ID before voting. Most of the proposed amendments to the bill — offered by Democrats — were rejected during several hours of debate Wednesday, but one change found bipartisan support. That added a state concealed handgun license to the list of photo IDs that would meet the requirement of the legislation. In the end, the measure was approved 19-11, with all Republicans backing it and all but one absent Democrat voting no…”
(View full article here)

Legislative Odd Couple Teaming Up on Pay Day Lending Bill
“State Reps. Tom Craddick and Eddie Rodriguez are a political odd couple united by their legislation that payday lenders say will put them out of business…They have filed identical legislation, however, because of reports that lenders making short-term loans are legally sidestepping interest rate caps by charging fees that can push annual interest rates above 500 percent . Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, is carrying legislation in that chamber….”
(View full article here).

State Budget Cuts May Mean Hundreds of Nursing Homes Close, Industry Warns
“Hundreds of nursing homes, including dozens in Dallas-Fort Worth, may close if lawmakers cut Medicaid as leaders propose, industry officials said Thursday. Since last week, GOP leaders have introduced budgets in both chambers that would reduce by one-third the state’s budget for its 56,000 nursing home residents on Medicaid. Two-year spending would sink to $2.8 billion, from $4.2 billion. ‘We are not crying wolf. Pieces of the sky are falling,’ said Tim Graves, head of the Texas Health Care Association…”
(View full article here).