Here's the first batch of articles related to the recently begun legislative session in Austin. I have some catching up to do, but this should give you an idea about what's up so far.
We'll go over highlights in class.
- Dan Patrick Moves to Set Agenda at Lege.
- Dan Patrick Kills the Two-Thirds Rule.
The Texas Tribune highlights four key issues this session:
1 - Consolidating Texas’ health agencies.
The Sunset Advisory Commission has recommended that lawmakers in 2015 consolidate the state’s five health departments into one “mega-agency,” a move the commission says would make Texas’ health bureaucracy less fragmented and more efficient.- Click here for the Sunset Advisory Commission.
2 - Combating local drilling ordinances.
Texas officials have become acutely aware of Denton, home to two universities, 277 gas wells and, now, Texas’ first ban on hydraulic fracturing. In November, voters in the Barnett Shale town overwhelmingly supported a ballot proposal to ban the oil and gas extraction method — widely known as fracking — within city limits.
Proponents called the measure a last-ditch effort to address noise and toxic fumes that spew from wells just beyond their backyards, after loopholes and previous zoning decisions rendered changes to the city’s drilling ordinance unenforceable. Critics — including Republican state regulators and lawmakers — argue that state drilling regulations trump Denton’s. And because of current shale economics, they argue that the measure amounts to a ban on all drilling — denying mineral owners their property rights.
Just hours after voters approved the ban, the Texas General Land Office and Texas Oil and Gas Association challenged it in separate lawsuits. Some state lawmakers have also promised to fight the ban in the statehouse, though Denton-area Republicans say they will leave the decision to the judges.3 - Enhancing gun rights.
Since 1995, Texans have been able to carry concealed handguns if they take training and obtain a license. Today, it is one of six states that specifically prohibit the unconcealed display of handguns. Multiple bills have been filed targeting handgun restrictions, and one calls for lifting licensing requirements altogether.
4 - Reducing property taxes.
State lawmakers, and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick in particular, have expressed a strong interest in finding a way to reduce property taxes this session. The Texas Constitution prohibits a statewide property tax and empowers local governments and schools and special districts to levy those taxes. Most property tax revenue goes to public schools.
The state has previously attempted to ease pressure on higher local property tax rates by increasing what it spends on education. But the state cannot set the local rates because of the constitutional ban on state property taxes, and other local taxing entities, including counties and cities, also collect property taxes.
Proposals likely to draw interest include capping how much local entities can increase property taxes and increasing the homestead exemption.
