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July 1, 2009

Texas Legislature begins special session

Brown expects representatives to keep state agencies running until the body meets again in 2011

By Rich Flowers News Editor

District 4 State Representative Betty Brown was among the legislators on the floor of the Texas House Wednesday during the first meeting of the special session.

Governor Rick Perry ordered the lawmakers back to Austin to tackle three items left undone in the regular session, that ended June 1. The governor thinks the work can be finished in time for the July 4 holiday weekend.

Brown said lawmakers understand the importance of getting the business done this time.

“It’s absolutely essential that we address these things that are on the call or the governor would not have called us in,” Brown said.

She said delaying tactics employed by opponents of the Voter ID Bill prevented the lawmakers from completing essential business in the 81st regular session.

“It could have been avoided if the opposition to the voter ID hadn’t filibustered in the latter days and allowed us to go on with the business at hand,” Brown said. “In the house it’s not technically called filibustering, but it had the same effect.”

She said the most essential item in the special session involves extending the existence of five state agencies, which were subject to sunset review by the 81st Legislature. Without action by the Legislature, the agencies will be abolished in September of 2010.

These agencies include the Texas Department of Transportation, Texas Department of Insurance, Texas Racing Commission, Office of Public Insurance Counsel and Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation.

“The sunset process is one that I believe is a very good process,” Brown said. “It was set up years ago whereby each agency of the state, every 12 years has to prove it has a reason for existing. It makes common sense to stop and say “That’s what this agency was set up to do. Are they actually accomplishing it?”

Brown said the process seldom results in disbanding an agency, but the process keeps them “on their toes.”

In the special session, the lawmakers are also scheduled to consider legislation allowing the Texas Department of Transportation to issue $2 billion in general obligation bonds which have already been approved by voters. The bonds will pay for highway improvement projects, and for the creation, administration, financing and use of a Texas Transportation Revolving Fund to provide financial assistance for transportation projects. The final item on the call is to extend the authority of the Texas Department of Transportation.

Brown is disappointed that the Voter ID bill will not be debated in the special session, but understands Perry’s decision not to include the hot potato.

“The opposition is so dedicated and has made statements over and over that they will do whatever it takes,” Brown said. “They’re more dedicated to that than they are in getting the business of the state done. I can see the governor wanting to get us in and out of here in a timely manner and not putting it on the call.”

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