Texas Legislative Update
Second Called Special
Session
July 23, 2005
The first called Special Session
ended Wednesday, July 20th at midnight and both SB 62 and HJR 19 failed. Rep.
Frank Corte should be commended for his efforts. There was an attempt by the
leadership in the House to send SB 62, as amended, to conference committee and
strip all the good amendments out of the bill. Mr. Corte fought off that
attempt and got 91 House members to join him to defeat the effort. The Senate
then refused to accept the bill as amended and it died in the Senate. The
constitutional amendment also died in the Senate because Lt. Governor David
Dewhurst said he would not let it move until they addressed the education
issue. With the exception of Senator Janek, who has carried the statutory bill
both special sessions, the Senate doesn't seem to think much of letting the
people of this state decide if private property can be condemned for private
development and economic gain.
Leadership from the Governor, the
Lt. Governor and Speaker of the House should all be held accountable. Without
their complete backing of this issue, it will never pass, especially in the
Senate. The unfortunate aspect of a legislative body is that they can vote on a
measure and claim they voted for private property, but then when it doesn't
pass, they can all claim it was someone else's fault and point the finger away
from themselves. The failure of these bills is unforgivable.
Second Called Special Session
We are now in a second called
special session. It has the potential to last for 30 days, but odds are that
won't happen. The Legislature is considering how to fund education and cut
taxes. Once that is decided, they will vote and go home. It is extremely
disappointing that the Governor has to be contacted and persuaded to place this
on the Call for a second time. It is equally insulting that the Lt. Governor
will not allow the constitutional amendment to be passed in the Senate. Senator
Janek has already introduced and passed a new statutory bill, SB 7, out of
committee, but it can't be considered until the Governor places this issue on
the Call -again. Rep. Frank Corte has filed both HB 12 (a statutory fix) and
HJR 11 (the constitutional amendment), and both are set for a hearing next
Tuesday. Action Needed: Note -A Constitutional Amendment is stronger than a
statutory fix!
1. Call the Governor at
1-800-843-5789 and demand he place this on the Call;
2. Call the Lt. Governor and tell
him we want the opportunity to vote on this issue in November and demand the
Senate pass the constitutional amendment at 512-463-0001. We need to double our
efforts on the Senate side.
Legislators think they can wear you
down and out maneuver you with their political tactics. Don't let them off the
hook, this is too important an issue and they need to be held accountable for
what they do and don't do. Let them hear from you today!
