We're well into June and the Special Session is still going strong. June 19th was the deadline for Governor Perry to veto legislation. We are thrilled that all of our bills made it over the last hurdle!  Last week we wrapped up the last part of our
once-a-decade duty by passing a new congressional map for Texas. We also passed legislation reforming the Texas Wind Insurance Association (TWIA) and legislation removing state mandates from school districts. This week we'll deal with budgeting for our state's judicial system and we'll debate SB 9, the sanctuary cities bill. Last night, Governor Perry added the TSA "anti-groping" legislation to the special session call. The House passed HB 1937, which would prevent the TSA from conducting invasive pat downs in all Texas airports, during the Regular Session but the Senate was unable to garner the votes to approve it. We'll likely consider the bill later this week.

Thanks to all who participated in the surveys in last week's newsletter. There were certainly some interesting results. As you
can see below, nearly 75 percent of you support SB 9, the anti-sanctuary city legislation. The House should consider this SB 9 later this week.

When asked who you'd vote for if the Presidential Election were held today, a majority chose Barack Obama. Rick Perry came in a close second.  Interestingly, Other came in fourth, indicating a preference for a candidate who isn't listed or hasn't yet announced.

The following bills that we worked hard to pass during the regular session were approved by the Governor and have become law!

•SB 341 the "Fix BexarMet Bill": After years of fiscal mismanagement by the utility's board and inability to provide adequate delivery of water and waste water services, a solution to this ongoing problem is long overdue. For several years, we've worked with stakeholders and constituents served by BexarMet to develop a solution that incorporates their needs and addresses their concerns. This bill will allow BexarMet ratepayers to decide whether they wish to dissolve the BexarMet board of directors and receive water and waste water service from SAWS, or to continue with the status quo. The election could be held as early as this coming November. 

•SB 988 Creation of a Cyber Security Council: SB 988 would create a "Cyber Security, Education, and Economic Development Council." The Council would develop synergy between governmental agencies, businesses, and institutions of higher education to help Texas become a leader in cyber security technology. Cyber security is one of the fastest growing industries in the
nation. In San Antonio, cyber security is part of an information technology sector whose local economic impact in 2008 was $8 billion, according to a study distributed by the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. This council will
help Texas become a leader in cyber security technology and set an example for the rest of the nation. 

•SB 1543 Helping school districts with their investment strategy: This bill will allow public school districts to invest in corporate bonds to provide them with an additional tool to use in their investment strategy. This bill is permissive, it would only allow districts to use this method of investment if they choose to. This measure is already available to public universities. 

•HB 3726 Helping the DRT manage the Alamo: As discussed in previous newsletters, I have been working with the Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT) over the past few months to craft legislation to address concerns dealing with their custodianship of the Alamo. This bill requires the DRT to submit annual financial reports to the state, and sets up a preservation advisory board comprised of representatives from the city, county, and state levels. 
 
•HB 3597 Super PIDs: Authorizes certain public improvement districts (PIDs) to annex land and issue bonds on hotel occupancy tax revenue.  Cibolo Canyons is one of these PIDs, and is home to the world's largest JW Marriott hotel. 

•HB 1499 Historic designation of roads comprising the Old Spanish Trail in north western Bexar County: HB 1499 would designate a group of roads that were part of the Old Spanish Trail as the "Scenic Loop Road--Boerne Stage
Road--Toutant Beauregard Road Historic Corridor."

We received another honor: "Best of the Freshman Class" by the Capitol Inside, a publication that covers the Texas Legislature. The excerpt of the story can be found here.

Discussing the budget on the House floor last week

If we may be of assistance to you, please feel free to contact our Capitol office at (512) 463-0646, our District Office at (210) 402-5402 or  by email at lyle.larson@house.state.tx.us. Please continue to let us hear from you!