LOCAL & STATE UPDATES

Senator Jane Nelson

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Tell Washington It's Dollar for Dollar; Take Action Now
The United States government is borrowing more than $40,000 per second. That's unsustainable and unacceptable.
The U.S. Treasury Department recently warned that our country could face a default that would throw us back into recession and severely impact markets around the world if leaders in Washington do not take action to raise the $14.3 trillion debt limit by August 2nd.
Yet, some of our leaders in Washington believe we can simply continue to raise our nation's debt limit and borrow infinitely without consequences. They're wrong.
And, an overwhelming majority of Americans agree: We must take action now to slow government spending and reduce our debt.
Can we count on you to send a message loud and clear to Washington today?
To use our software tool to easily contact your representative go to:
http://www.votervoice.net/Groups/TABCC/Advocacy/?IssueID+25352&SiteID=-1

Tarrant Regional Transportation Coalition

Dear TRTC Members and Friends,

We have some very good news to share with our membership today!

Over the holiday weekend, the Texas Legislature passed several of the priority measures that we were advocating:

• The state's budget (CHSB 1) includes authorization to issue the remaining $3 billion of Proposition 12 bonds approved by voters in 2007. This one-time infusion of bond revenue makes possible the continued funding of new capacity projects for at least two more years.

• The TxDOT Sunset Bill (CSSB 1420) includes CDA authority for three high-priority North Texas projects: I-35E, SH 183 and the North Tarrant Express. It also includes language permitting TxDOT and NTE Mobility Partners to execute a facility agreement to construct improvements on I-35W from downtown north to the US 81/US 287 split without having to go back through a full competitive procurement process that would have consumed many months and cost millions of dollars.

• CSHB 563 broadens authority to use transportation reinvestment zone (TRZ) financing for any transportation improvement project and HJR 63 proposes a constitutional amendment (November vote) to authorize counties to bond against a TRZ revenue stream.

• SB 888 permits DART and The T to create a local government corporation (LGC) as a tool to enable non-member cities to pay for and receive certain transit services; the LGC can also utilize public-private partnerships to develop projects.

While additional transportation funding measures were not enacted this session, our success in passing each of these important bills (especially at a time when the priority was cutting expenditures) can be attributed to your ongoing advocacy efforts and communication with our elected representatives.

On behalf of TRTC, I would like to personally thank each of you for your tireless commitment to our legislative initiatives during the past several months and years. Our continued success is rooted in the regional cooperation practiced by an incredible group of ambassadors and supporters who care deeply about the future of our region.

For a full recap of transportation legislation passed during the 82nd Legislature, please click here.

Vic Suhm
Tarrant Regional Transportation Coalition

82nd Legislature Update

Dear Friends,

You can tell the Legislature is in full swing. Last week, on Wednesday, I had a 20-hour day, and then on Friday, we worked for 16 hours on the next biennial budget.

Beginning last Friday, and concluding last night (Sunday evening), the Texas House of Representatives passed House Bill 1, the House's version of a proposed budget for the state's fiscal period beginning on September 1, 2011 and ending on August 31, 2013.

The bill passed on both second and third readings with a vote of 98 in favor, and 49 opposed, 2 present, not voting, and 1 excused absence. I voted in favor of the bill.

Many of you have contacted me with your concerns over the severe cuts in the budget. This proposed budget would cut every aspect of state government.

The fact is - Texas is constitutionally bound to operate with a balanced budget. With the downturn in the economy, there are limited resources to allocate (something, frankly, by which I believe Congress should also be bound).

The bill the Texas House passed would decrease the state's spending by about $23 billion, or 12.3% of all funds. (Compare this to what, I believe, the federal government is considering - a $30 billion cut in spending.)

General revenue funding (which comes mostly from state taxes and fees) would fall $4.6 billion, or 5.2% from the current fiscal year's budget.

The Texas Legislature must strike a careful balance between living within our means, and funding vital services like public education and other essential services for Texas' most vulnerable citizens, needed transportation infrastructure, etc.

Please understand that the passage of HB 1 is only a starting point. This is not the final product. This is the beginning of a process that will, undoubtedly, change. The budget will "evolve" as the House and the Senate go to "conference" to resolve the differences between their two different versions of the budget.

I am keenly aware that there is a human face behind each of the difficult decisions we must make. As the budget works its way through the legislative process, we will continue to work on finding ways to reduce the cuts to our most essential and important state services - such as public education.

In the meantime, I want to continue to hear from you. I welcome and need your input.

On the state's budget . . . stay tuned.

Please remember the members of the Texas Legislature in your prayers - not only that we will be guided to make sound decisions for the people of our beloved state, but also for Rep. Barbara Nash (R-Arlington) whose sister passed away yesterday, and Rep. Alma Allen (D-Houston) who buried her husband of 54 years on Saturday.

Finally, please look for and respond to the survey I'll be sending you regarding HB 750 - "Campus Carry." I would sincerely appreciate having your opinion on this matter.

Thank you for the privilege of serving you in the Texas House!

State Rep. Vicki Truitt