In the Senate
• SB 6 (providing an A-F campus rating system for public schools by Sen. Larry Taylor) passed the full Senate.

• Senate Finance Committee passed measures by Sen. Kelly Hancock to limit state government spending based on population and inflation growth.

• SB 13 by Sen. Charles Perry also passed the Senate the week. The bill enables high school students to earn college credit through additional dual credit courses as well as allows high schools to compete for funding for career and tech centers and equipment.

• SB 20 (comprehensive reform of state government contracting by Sen. Jane Nelson) passed the full Senate.
In the House

The House focused primarily on the Budget this week. After a marathon 18 hour debate and considering well over 300 amendments, the House passed a budget. These amendments included an effort by a Democrat from Nueces County which would have effectively prevented the House from having a debate on school choice in any format this session. Chairman Mechler fought this amendment throughout the week both by visiting House Members and distributing a letter against the Herrero amendment before it was finally withdrawn on the floor with the help of House Leadership.

Below you will find highlights of the House passed budget:

Maintains Fiscal Discipline
• Overall spending increases by less than 2 percent per year
• Leaves billions unspent, providing significant room for tax relief
• Stays well beneath the Constitutional spending limit
• Leaves a projected $11 billion in the Rainy Day Fund

Increases Budget Transparency
• Ends diversions of State Highway Fund dollars away from transportation
• Uses fee revenue collected from drunk drivers to improve hospital trauma care
• Phases out inefficient B-On-Time program, where more than $140 million has gone unused

Reforms State Government
• Provides new oversight of state contracts and purchases
• Begins effort to move investigations of public officials away from Travis County DA
• Eliminates Emerging Technology Fund and requires reforms to Texas Enterprise Fund

Resources:

Texas Legislature Online
www.capitol.state.tx.us

Texas House of Representatives
www.house.state.tx.us

Texas Senate
www.senate.state.tx.us