83rd Legislative Session

Texas 83rd Legislative Session Update: Report for Thursday, May 9th

The House recessed until 1:40 p.m., Thursday, May 9, 2013.

The Senate recessed until 11:00 a.m., Friday, May 10, 2013.

  • Senate Items Eligible 
    Time for Video Highlights of the Session!
  • (5/7) – Observations of Chairman Geren
  • (5/6) – A new calculator for Rep. Turner
  • (5/6) – Nice tablecloth!

    In the News…
  • 5/9 – Rep. Eddie Rodriguez: Most Important Meal of the Day. Read Here.
  • 5/9 – Rep. Stefani Carter Passes the Kelly Ray & Patsy Ann Carter Act. See Press Releases.
  • 5/9 – Rep. Eddie Rodriguez: School Breakfast Bill Passes Both Chambers. See Press Releases.
  • 5/9 – Rep. Abel Herrero: Legislature Passes Bill to Protect Victims of Family Violence. See Press Releases.
  • 5/9 – Tx. Council on Fam. Violence: Bill to Protect Domestic Violence Victims Passes. See Press Releases.
  • 5/9 – Sen. Jose Rodriguez: Lesislature Passes Bill to Protect Fam. Violence Witnesses. See Press Releases.
  • 5/9 – Rep. Doug Miller: Pleased Key Litigation Reform Measure on Way to Governor. See Press Releases.
  • 5/9 – Sen. Robert Duncan: Legislation to Make TRS Fund Actuarially Sound Passes Senate. See Press Releases.
  • 5/9 – TPPF releases “Analysis of the Science in the Whooping Crane Decision”. See Policy.
  • 5/9 – TPPF: Statement on Senate Bill 14. See Policy.
  • 5/9 – President Obama Speaks at Manor New Tech (Part 1). See Videos.
  • 5/9 – President Obama Speaks at Manor New Tech (Part 2). See Videos.
  • 5/9 – President Obama Speaks at Manor New Tech (Part 3). See Videos.
  • 5/9 – Gun bill Taps Historic Texas Slogan. See Videos.
  • 5/9 – Gov. Rick Perry Tells Guns.com How He’s Trying to Bring Gun Makers to Texas. See Videos.
  • 5/9 – Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst: Public Charter School Rally at the Texas State Capitol. See Videos.
  • 5/9 – Rep. Krause: DMN – Abbott backs legislative budget staff on rainy day fund, spending cap.Read Here.
  • 5/9 – Rep. Munoz, Jr: AA-S – Midnight deadline looms over Texas House. Read Here.
  • 5/9 – Sen. Lucio – NBC Latino Poll: For Latinos in Texas, schools are the heart of the community. Read Here.
  • 5/9 – Rex Neal Van de Putte obituary and arrangements. Read Here.
  • 5/8 – Sen. Donna Campbell on House Passing Campus Carry. See Press Releases.
  • 5/8 – Rep. Naomi Gonzalex Passes Initiative to Help Military, Stuggling Families. See Press Releases.
  • 5/8 – Texas Coalition for Excellence in Higher Ed on Obama’s Visit to Austin. See Press Releases.
  • 5/8 – Sen. Donna Campbell: Statement on Obama’s Visit to Austin. See Press Releases.
  • 5/8 – Rep. Mary Gonzalez Passes Bill Through House to Expand Water Services to Colonia. See Press Releases.
  • 5/8 – Texas AFT: Statement on SB 1458: TRS Pension Bill. See Press Releases.
  • 5/8 – Perry Announces Ermerson to Expand Houston Facility, Create 126 Jobs. See Press Releases.
  • 5/8 – State Teachers Assoc.: Senate TRS Bill is Significantly Improved. See Press Releases.
  • 5/8 – Dept. of Agriculture: Commissioner Staples Stressed need for Water Conservation. See Press Releases.
  • 5/8 – Texas ADL-CIO: Senate Approves “Buy Texas, Buy American” Bill. See Press Releases.
  • 5/8 – Rep. JM Lozano: South Texas Leads Nation in Private Space Exploration. See Press Releases.
  • 5/8 – Sen. Wendy Davis: Statement on Passage of Teacher Retirement Bill. See Press Releases.
  • 5/8 – Charter School Supporters Rally for Public Charter Schools at State Capitol. See Press Releases.
  • 5/8 – TPPF to testify in support of HB 1926. See Testimony.
  • 5/8 – Texas AFT: Getting closer to a fair deal on TRS benefits. See Policy.
  • 5/8 – Travis County DA’s Jail Release Set for Thursday. See Videos.
  • 5/8 – KXAN: Presidential Visit on Thursday. See Videos.
  • 5/8 – Tx Tribune: Gov. Perry Gives Lawmakers Roadmap To Timely Departure. Read Here.
  • 5/8 – Honoring WW II Veterans: Gov. Perry with Tuskegee Airman. See Here.
  • 5/8 – Rep. Deshotel and HB 5 in the Senate. Read Here.
  • 5/8 – Poncho Nevarez newsletter. Read Here.
  • 5/8 – Rep. Mary Ann Perez newsletter. Read Here.
  • 5/8 – Sen. Watson’s bill outlawing gas chamber euthanasia for animals is on its way to the Gov’s desk. Read Here.
  • 5/7 – Fiscal Note for HB 500 (Estimated). See Press Releases.
  • 5/7 – Perry Appoints 11 Student Regents Across the State. See Press Releases.
  • 5/7 – Perry: Statement on President Obama’s Visit to Texas. See Press Releases.
  • 5/7 – First Farm-To-Table Bill Caucus Bill Passes Texas House. See Press Releases.
  • 5/7 – Sen. Van De Putte: Statement on HB 5. See Press Releases.
  • 5/7 – Sen. Charles Schwertner on Passage of HB 5. See Press Releases.
  • 5/7 – Sen. Van de Putte: Statement on Rex Van de Putte. See Press Releases.
  • 5/7 – Rep. Dan Flynn Passes Historic 2nd Amendment Legislation. See Press Releases.
  • 5/7 – Rep. Travis Clardy Hails Passage of Justin’s Law. See Press Releases.
  • 5/7 – Sen. Jane Nelson: Senate Committee Approves Bill Protecting Blue Mound. See Press Releases.
  • 5/7 – Perry: CEO’s Name Texas Best State for Business for 9th Year in a Row. See Press Releases.
  • 5/7 – Hildalgo County: Valley Leaders Pledge $100 Million for South Texas Med School. See Press Releases.
  • 5/7 – Dewhurst Statement on Sen. Van de Putte’s Loss. See Press Releases.
  • 5/7 – Perry Appoints Lee to Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission. See Press Releases.
  • 5/7 – Dewhurst on Passage of HB 5. See Press Releases.
  • 5/7 – TPPF: Statement on SB 101 and SJR 10. See Press Releases.
  • 5/7 – TSTA poll: Hispanics take school cuts personally. See Policy.
  • 5/7 – President’s Visit Expected to Bring Traffic Woes. See Videos.
  • 5/7 – KXAN: How Gun Control can Affect the Gun Business. See Videos.
  • 5/7 – Rex Neal Van de Putte, grandson of Senator Van de Putte, passed away this morning. He was 6 months old.
  • 5/7 – Gov. Perry: Texas Tops 2013 CEO Rankings. Read here.
  • 5/7 – Dr. Greg Bonnen: Wall Street Journal – A Tale of Two Oil States Read here.
  • 5/7 – Rep. Villalba: DMN Editorial – State Senate should ignore most of House’s gun bills. Read here.
  • 5/7 – Sen. Uresti: Time to catch up, Texas. Read here.
  • 5/6 – Perry Renews Call for Offshore Energy Development, Consistent Fed. Regulation. See Press Releases.
  • 5/6 – Office of Gov.: Texas Tops Site Selection’s Most Competitive States of 2012. See Press Releases.
  • 5/6 – HB 500 Prefiled Amendment Packet. See Press Releases.
  • 5/6 – Texas AFT: Bill Targets Teachers for Takeaway of Already-Earned Pension Benefits. See Press Releases.
  • 5/6 – Rep. Mary Gonzalez Honors Elizario Artists, Brings Local Artwork to TX Capitol. See Press Releases.
  • 5/6 – Rep. Lois Kolkhorst: Dental Medicaid Fraud Prompts Legislation for Board Reform. See Press Releases.
  • 5/6 – Sen. Jane Nelson: House Passes SB 60 to Prevent Child Identity Theft. See Press Releases.
  • 5/6 – Rep. Sefronia Thompson: HB 3241 Passes Texas House. See Press Releases.
  • 5/6 – Rep. Drew Springer: First Two Bills Pass House. See Press Releases.
  • 5/6 – House Republican Caucus: GOP Members Pass Bills to Protect 2nd Amendment Rights. See Press Releases.
  • 5/6 – KXAN: Business Tax Cuts. See Videos.
  • 5/6 – KXAN: Officer Memorial Parade. See Videos.
  • 5/6 – Obama Visits Austin. See Videos.
  • 5/6 – Texas Tribune: Campus Carry, School Marshall Bills get Approval. See Videos.
  • 5/6 – Ted Cruz at NRA Convention. See Videos.
  • 5/6 – Sen. Wendy Davis on “Inside Texas Politics.” See Videos.
  • 5/4 – Sen. Wendy Davis and Sen. Dan Patrick: Inside Texas Politics. Read here.
  • 5/3 – Rep. Marsha Farney Passes Financial Literacy Course Bill in Tx. House. See Press Releases.
  • 5/3 – Rep. Mary Gonzalez Passes Study to Revive El Paso Dairy Industry. House. See Press Releases.
  • 5/3 – Rep. Marsha Farney Passes Foundation School Program License Plates Bill in House. House. See Press Releases.
  • 5/3 – Sen. Jose Rodriguez: Bill to Protect Social Workers in Disaster Response Passes. House. See Press Releases.
  • 5/3 – Railroad Commission: Commissioner Porter Named “Man of the Year”. House. See Press Releases.
  • 5/3 – Environment TX: Court Rejects Exxon Bid to Dismiss Citizen Enforcement Suit. House. See Press Releases.
  • 5/3 – Perry Highlights Wisdom, Importance of 2nd Amendment. House. See Press Releases.
  • 5/3 – TPPF statement on HB 500. See Policy.
  • 5/3 – TPPF statement on HB 928 and HB 1076. See Policy.
  • 5/3 – KXAN: West Low Cost Loans. See Videos.
  • 5/3 – KXAN: DPS Regional Director Charged with DWI. See Videos.
  • 5/3 – KXAN: First Responders Fight for Budget Requests. See Videos.
  • 5/3 – Rick Perry Sums up Democrats GunGrabbing Agenda; Then shows off Shooting Skills. See Videos.
  • 5/3 – Rep. Gidding’s mother passed away this afternoon after being rushed to the hospital this morning.
  • 5/3 – President Obama will be in Austin on Thursday. Read here.
  • 5/3 – Rep. Chris Turner’s letter to the editor making the case for smart investment in both water infrastructure and public education. Read here.
  • 5/3 – Senator Seliger blog. Read here.
  • 5/3 – Corpus Christi plans nearly $32M for bridge. Read here.
  • 5/2 – Tex. House Republican Caucus: Leaders Pass Truth in Budgeting Measures. See Press Releases.
  • 5/2 – Rep. Naomi Gonzalez Passes Bills to Protect Most Vulnerable. See Press Releases.
  • 5/2 – State Teachers Association Opposes Latest Version of TRS Bill. See Press Releases.
  • 5/2 – Perry Appoints Huckabee to Higher Education Coordinating Board. See Press Releases.
  • 5/2 – Rep. Phil King Passes Spending Cap Amendment. See Press Releases.
  • 5/2 – Texas Public Policy Foundation Applauds Legislative Action on Spending Limit. See Press Releases.
  • 5/2 – Sen. Uresti Cites Shortcomings that Texas Must Address. See Press Releases.
  • 5/2 – Rep. Marisa Marquez Passes Bill to Increase School Board Transparency. See Press Releases.
  • 5/2 – Tex. Health Care Assoc.: Figures Relating to Nursing Homes and Medicaid Cuts. See Press Releases.
  • 5/2 – Sen. Lucio: Bill Supporting Early College High Schools Passes Senate. See Press Releases.
  • 5/2 – Tex. Public Policy Foundation: Statement on HB 14. See Press Releases.
  • 5/2 – Sen. Jane Nelson: Senate Passes Bill Addressing Adverse Possesion. See Press Releases.
  • 5/2 – Rep. J.M. Lozano: The Sunset Process. See Press Releases.
  • 5/2 – Progress TX: Theme of West Fertilizer Hearing: “We’re not required to do that.” See Press Releases.
  • 5/2 – TPPF: Statement on House Bill 14. See Policy.
  • 5/2 – TPPF applauds legislative action on state spending limit. See Policy.
  • 5/2 – KXAN: Texas Tribine Festival. See Video.
  • 5/2 – KXAN: Gun Business Moves to Texas. See Video.
  • 5/2 – KXAN: Perry Welcomes Gun-Related Business to Texas. See Video.
  • 5/2 – KXAN: Closer Look at the Damage in West. See Video.
  • 5/2 – Texas Tribune: Ag Commissioner Staples on Paying for the Water Plan. See Video.
  • 5/2 – Texas Tribune: Texas Weekly Newsreel. See Video.
  • 5/2 – Triblive: Staples on Running for Lt. Governor. See Video.
  • 5/2 – Texas A&M University System Board of Regents has approved the naming of University Village on the campus of Texas A&M University- Kingsville to the Eduardo and Josefa Lucio Hall in recognition of the family’s long history of service.
  • 5/2 – The State Auditor’s Office has released An Audit Report on Incentive Compensation at the Teacher Retirement System, the Permanent School Fund, and the Employees Retirement System