Ed. Note: To see a quick overview of the bills the Texas House considered today -- along with a policy overview of each bill -- read the Texas Legislative Study Group's floor report.
Here is a look at today's calendar in the Texas House -- the first of the session. The hyperlink over the bill number will take you directly to the Texas Legislature Online page for that bill, wherein you can look at the actual text of the bill, the bill analysis, etc.
We hope to do this, as much as possible, every day there is a calendar on the floor of the Texas House. The Texas Legislative Study Group puts out an analysis for each day's Calendar. I'll be linking to them atop the page every day because, well (See Update below.) They do outstanding work and it would be foolish not to highlight their efforts. Their reports are made by a large group of staffers that track the bills through the Committee process, speak to lobbyists about the bill, and work with the individual Member to make sure they understand the bill. Their work is just incredible.
And yes, I used to be Chief of Staff for Rep. Garnet Coleman, who chairs the Legislative Study Group. There's a reason I write so much about policy on BOR -- he taught me about how to talk about policy, and he helped develop my belief that if you focus on the policy, the politics will take care of itself. Anyone should be so lucky to have the opportunity to work for him; I did, and I want to share some of the excellent work he and the LSG produce because I think it will better inform all Texans about the actual laws that our Representatives are working on at the Capitol.
Finally -- I'd link to the conservatives' version of their floor report, but it just says "yes/no" and gives no actual policy analysis. You know -- lock step and all.
Here's today's calendar -- and I promise, future posts won't have the long and winding introduction:
HB 873 by Rep. Dawnna Dukes (D) - Film incentives bill. Want to have more movies made in the state of Texas? This bill will make that easier to happen by allowing grants to be awarded to digital media producers, and it will increase incentives for those who spend more money in the state.
This bill is a lot bigger deal than some of Rep. Dukes critics give her credit for; it's an easy way to bring money to communities while simultaneously encouraging the arts as an important subject. Art/movie/film communities are non-existant in public schools, and this bill at least brings the real deal to town -- so those who want can learn from experience and have the opportunity to see and work in a field of industry they can't gain knowledge about in school.
HB 394 by Rep. Patrick Rose (D) - Allows small businesses to qualify for the Texas Economic Development Fund. First two bills -- Democrats working to improve the the economic issues of the day. I am proud to be a Democrat.
HB 1822 by Rep. Burt Solomons (R) - Gives rulemaking authority to the PUC to unify language on electric bills, thereby creating transparency in the process. freshman Rep. Diana Maldonado (D - Round Rock) is a co-author of the bill.
HB 313 was enacted in 2007 to rectify the abuse of NAFTA in which individuals buy a truck or trailer in another state and use it outside border commercial zones. The unintended consequences of this legislation required Mexican truck operators to obtain Texas registration plates every time they crossed into border commercial zones, even if they were not owners of the vehicle.
HB 782 allows truck drivers passage to and from border commercial zones without having to obtain new registration plates for Texas. The vehicle must have registered plates indicating a reciprocity agreement and must also be registered in the country that the owner of the ehicle is a citizen in or resides in. Canadian provinces that exempt currently registered vehicles owned by nonresidents are also effective in a border commercial zone.
HB 38 by Rep. Franke Corte (R) - Allows for veterans and their families to pay in-state tuition rates regardless of their residency status.
HB 693 by Rep. Vicki Truitt (R) - "Exempts falconers from having to hold a pest control license." For the record, that was two economic development bills, a utility rate bill, a transportation bill, a veterans & higher education bill...then that other big issue, Falcon licensing. Republican State Rep. Vicki Truitt, everyone -- FTL.
HB 968 by Rep. Mark Homer (D) - "Removes the restrictions on hunting with crossbows during bow hunting season." And right behind Rep. Truitt we have Democrat Rep. Mark Homer! Who says good things don't come in pairs!
(I joke around, but I worked for a rural State Rep. for nearly two years, from 2005 through summer of 2006, and these are absolutely the bills that constiuents will write in and demand action on the loudest. So while I joke about their relative importance to state business, both Rep. Truitt and Rep. Homer are still serving their constiuents. If you can survive the crossfire of the bow-hunter shooting down the falcons, you can see a certain amount of democratic beauty in that.)
HB 1695 by Rep. Sylvester Turner (D) - Allows the PUC to require for utilities that experience severe outages due to weather to consider a disaster preparation/management kind of plan. Though it doesn't outright require them, it lays the groundwork for the creation of those plans -- and when it comes to the PUC and utilities, sometimes you need the small moves to set up the big ones.
HB 1637 would improve benefits under the shared work unemployment compensation program for underserved workers and industries by adding greater work schedule flexibility in determining benefits. Currently, benefits are granted based on a consistent 40-hour workweek, which many businesses and employees do not follow, especially in the manufacturing industry.
In manufacturing, for example, facilities operate on a 24-hour, 7 day-a-week basis, so it makes sense to employ workers on a schedule alternating 3 and 4 day weeks. However, under current statute, workers on an alternating biweekly schedule that averages 40 hours per week would be eligible for less benefits than workers who work consistent 40-hour work weeks.
This bill gives affected businesses greater flexibility in retaining their workers, thus preventing layoffs. In this economic climate, this bill is needed to make the shared work unemployment compensation program more effective and equitable when it’s needed most. This bill is favored by a broad array of business and labor groups.
I'm very proud to see two of our freshman members, Rep. Diana Maldonado and Rep. Chris Turner, with legislation on the first day's calendar. Rep. Maldonado and Rep. Chris Turner were the first two candidates that TexBlog PAC endorsed. For everyone who donated to TexBlog PAC and helped us support these candidates -- this is your investment paying off for you.
Update: I forgot that the LSG Floor Reports are subscription-only, and it is the other reports -- their higher ed reports, state school reports, etc. -- that are open to everyone. I should have remembered this since I worked with them so much, but I think I just got excited at reading the first Calendar of the session and their first Floor Report of the Session. And yes, I'm a policy dork that gets excited about stuff like that -- why do you think I'm spending my Spring Break posting on BOR? Deal with it.
Since they sell subscriptions -- a la Quorum Report & Texas Weekly -- I won't be able to link directly to it every day. Though, like I do with QR, I will crib from my subscription if/when it is necessary and appropriate, and I will still use their excellent research to form and shape these calendar posts.
Bottom line: you'll still be able to come to BOR for coverage of what is happening at the Capitol. So keep reading!
There is no word on his replacement, but Frank Corte is definitely relinquishing his control of the House Republican Caucus.
Laylan Copelin write's Corte will not seek re-election as chairman of the Texas House GOP caucus.
Corte was late to support fellow Bexar county Representative and fellow Republican Straus (if he ever really did). In fact, Corte has been a loyal Craddick lieutenant which is where his influence came from.
He said some people thought it would be good to have the speaker and the GOP caucus leader from San Antonio. Others thought Corte might be put in the awkward position of criticizing a member of his local delegation.
Corte said he's interested in helping rebuilding the House GOP majority and thought he could do that better outside the caucus leadership.
Corte, Craddick, and Chisum have lost control of the Texas House and they are quickly losing control of the state. It will be interesting to see how many bills these men pass with little influence.
It was a sea of people. Capitol staffers, reporters, dozens of elected officials from both sides of the aisle, and a few tourist all mixed under the rotunda today.
Every balcony was full with camera flashes and inquisitive pointing.
I sat front and center among TV cameras from across the city and state. Constantly bumped by paper media, citizen journalist and the unfortunate souls simply at the wrong place at the right time.
Because of the size, I broke the press conference into two parts-- Straus and Straus supporters.
The reality of it was that Straus spoke, his supporters from both sides of the aisle spoke, and then he took nearly 5 minutes of questions. The Q&A was particularly interesting because Craddick has avoided cameras since November 2008. Already we see a huge departure of access and transparency in the Speakers office.
Straus has already announced 96 Representatives pledged to support him or roughly 2/3 of the entire House of Representatives. One of the few names surprisingly missing is Rep. Frank Corte who also represents San Antonio. It seems Representative Corte would want a Speaker from San Antonio in order to better serve his district.
Earlier this morning I received a tip that House Republicans would be "meeting" for a few hours before playing some golf.
The event was held at the secluded Lost Pines resort in Bastrop. Republican elected officials, lobbyist, and corporate money were all on hand during the event.
Sadly, we were kicked out pretty quickly. However, before I fought the polo shirt wearing law, we did get some video.
Update: SO-145 appears to be Carl Isett's plate and SO-81 is Dan Gattis. Still trying to find out who else was there.
Update 2: More license plates.
SO 3 - Craddick
SO 63 - Flynn
SO 74 - Kolkhorst
SO 79 - Otto
SO 85 - Taylor
SO 87 - Charlie Howard
SO 119 - Orr
SO 125 - Crownover
SO 133 - Darby
SO 157 - Zedler
SO 183 - Corte
SO 193 - Callegari
SO 197 - Woolley
Frank Corte continues to offend. House Bill 36 would required consent even during medical emergencies, would define medical emergencies within the health and safety code (which would have unknown impacts), and require women to see an ultrasound of the fetus before having the right to an abortion.
In years past, Corte has gone to extreme lengths to legislate his morality.
In 2005, Corte authored a bill that would have given pharmacists the right to override doctors and given them the right to refuse to give out prescribed birth control to women.
Vince, at Capitol Annex gives his view of this appalling legislation.
The new "informed consent" laws would require that women be shown ultrasounds. Complete with language out of the 1800s, neither the woman seeking the abortion nor the doctor can be penalized if the woman "averts" her eyes from the ultrasound:
A pregnant woman may avert her eyes from the ultrasound images required to be provided to and reviewed with the pregnant woman under Section 171.012(a)(4).
Here is what Corte told AP about his bill:
State Rep. Frank Corte, R-San Antonio, filed the bill seeking the new "informed consent" requirements for women who seek an abortion. Corte's policy director, Kathi Seay, said the legislation "is not to encourage or discourage anything, it's just to make sure they have all the information they need."
Corte is already under investigation for refusing to live inside the district he represents. As the Chair of the House Republican Caucus, the bills he files indicate not only his priorities, but also the priorities of his party. This bill is shocking, unnecessary, and offensive. Sadly, we need to be prepared to see many many more bills like House Bill 36 from Corte and his Republican allies.
We reported on Republican Caucus chair Frank Corte's vacant lot this past Wednesday, and now San Antonio Rep. Trey Martinez-Fischer has an offer for Rep. Corte.
After State Rep. Frank Corte, Chairman of the House Republican Caucus, admitted to the San Antonio Express News that he actually lived in Texas House District (HD) 116 instead of HD 122, as he claimed in his candidate filing forms, Democratic State Representative Trey Martinez-Fischer offered to help his newfound constituent. As reported in today's newspaper, Rep. Corte claims to live on a vacant lot. Luckily, Corte really lives in the district of a Democratic House Member who is ready, willing, and able to provide him with whatever constituent services he needs.
"I want to be the first to welcome Frank to House District 116 and let him know that my office is ready to assist my new constituent with any help he needs establishing his residency," said State Representative Trey Martinez-Fischer. "Moving is a difficult and tedious process and Frank only has a limited amount of time to legally change his address and to get a new driver's license from the Department of Public Safety."
Chad Dunn, General Counsel for the Texas Democratic Party, sent a letter to the Bexar County Republican Party Chairman requesting he abide by the Texas Election Code and formally declare Frank Corte ineligible to run as a candidate in HD 122. It is now up to the Chairman of the Bexar County Republican Party to do the right thing.
If Frank Corte needs anything during his troubled times, his Representative's doors appear to be open.
"Now that Frank is one of my constituents, I look forward to listening to his legislative concerns at my next town hall meeting, and I'll do my best to earn his vote as I continue to reach across party lines and gain bipartisan support this November," added Rep. Martinez-Fischer. "Of course, that's only possible if he has legally changed his voter registration, and my office will be more than happy to assist him so he can vote legally this fall."
Another great find by the Lone Star Project. It looks like House Republican Caucus chairman, Frank Corte, has claimed a vacant lot as his home.
Frank Corte is claiming a San Antonio vacant lot as his official residence. Not a vacant house, but a VACANT LOT. Corte shows the bogus address on his voter registration, his candidate filing application and on several official reports he filed with the Texas Ethics Commission.
Texas residency laws are pretty lenient. You can establish residency by simply staying overnight somewhere several times a year and receiving mail. Even if professional or personal business takes a person away from their house or apartment for an extended period of time, they can maintain the address as their residence by demonstrating the intent to return. Even under these liberal conditions of residency, Republican State Representative Frank Corte (HD 122, San Antonio) appears to have gone too far and is using a phony address to vote and hold public office. In fact, Corte has signed sworn affidavits on file with the State of Texas affirming that he lived on the vacant lot and appears to have a driver's license with the same address.
This is yet another example of Republican's trying to play by a different set of rules. This is not just deceptive, it is illegal.
The Lone Star Project points out that this is a third degree felony.
Section 64.012. ILLEGAL VOTING. (a) A person commits an offense if the person:
(1) votes or attempts to vote in an election in which the person knows the person is not eligible to vote;...
(b) An offense under this section is a felony of the third degree unless the person is convicted of an attempt. In that case, the offense is a Class A misdemeanor.
Frank Corte should resign as the chair of the House Republican Caucus until this matter is resolved. Attorney General Greg Abbott should immediately open an investigation. The investigation should be required to have an October deadline so tax payers don't have to pay for another election because Frank Corte illegally put his name on the ballot.
In addition, San Antonio deserves representation going into the 81st session, if Frank Corte has broken the law, his name should be removed from the ballot for this November so a special election will not need to be held during the beginning of the legislative session. We can instead have a special election November 4, like we are across the state. The winner of the special election can serve from November until January, and the winner of the general can represent the people of San Antonio for the upcoming legislative session.
People deserve answers immediately and Frances Carnot and the people of San Antonio don't deserve to be subjected to a political shell game because Frank Corte broke the law.
Frances Carnot needs our support and our help in her bid to unseat Frank Corte in State Rep. District. 122. Frances is a smart, articulate, and committed women dedicated to ridding the Texas Legislature of the useless menace of Frank Corte.
If you are a women, then Frank Corte is your public enemy number 1. He has singlehandedly done more to undermine women’s healthcare and women’s rights in the Texas Legislature over the last ten years than any other legislator in Austin.
If you are a parent of a public school student, he has consistently undermined public education and supported redirecting public education funding to private and religious institutions.
If you are paying high insurance fees, that is because Frank Corte is a ‘Best Friend’ of the insurance lobby!
If you are out of work or under employed and need extra help with providing healthcare for your family, don’t look to Frank Corte for that help, as he has turned a cold shoulder to the senior citizens and children of Texas when it comes to providing adequate healthcare in Texas. He is one of the reasons Texas is last in the nation for providing healthcare for our children.
(Posted by dksbook so the candidate could make it to a union endorsement meeting on time.)
Frank Corte and I sat side by side in a question and answer session with the San Antonio Express News editorial board. Of course, Frank knew 4 of the 5 by name as he been through this rite 6 previous times. As we were waiting for the rest of the interview team to arrive, Frank talked to one team member about the recent Texas A&M versus Army football game; apparently they were at the game together.
Luckily for Frank,this was not a debate; just question-and-answer for one hour. We both answered the same questions. We actually agreed on two questions:
Matt has the big news over at Just Another Blog. Candidate Larry Stallings in HD-122 responds on his own blog here. Kuff reminds us of a similar situation with Rep. Noriega, and that in both cases, it may be the wife who carries on his term.
As to how this changes the election dynamic, I'm not sure. It's hard to run against an incumbant who's serving his country, but then again, Corte won't exactly be around to run much of a campaign. But had this been a major scandal that had broken, it's a credit to Larry Stallings being there as the Democratic nominee, ready to go. It's why we should always Run, Everywhere.
Speaking of running everywhere, that's something we'll be seeing a lot more of, say, if we had a new state party chair...
