Tx Legislature Goes Into Special Session

Texans, we have a Special Session. The state legislature, as predicted, failed to finish the peoples' business so they will begin again tomorrow in a Special Session.

Lt. Governor Dewhurst sent a list of bills deemed important and asking that they be included.

Lt. Governor David Dewhurst sent the following letter to Governor Rick Perry regarding the Special Session that is expected to begin tomorrow:

Dear Governor Perry,

Unfortunately, despite the very hard work and determination of the majority of Members of both the House and Senate, the Legislature was unable to pass a number of important bills, including SB 1811 needed to fund the budget, before the deadline of midnight last night.

Still, there is still an outside possibility that SB 1811 could pass the Texas Senate today with the bipartisan support of four-fifths of the Members. However, if this vote should fail − forcing us into Special Session − I believe that it would be in the best interest of all Texans to start tomorrow and ask you to consider including the following bills in your call:

SB 1811 - Relating to certain state fiscal matters and making necessary appropriations; providing penalties;

SB 8 - Relating to improving the quality and efficiency of health care;

SB 23 - Relating to the administration of reforms, efficiency, cost-saving, fraud prevention, and funding measures for certain health and human services and health benefits programs;

HB 5 - Relating to establishing an Interstate Health Care Compact;

HB 12 - Relating to the enforcement of state and federal laws governing immigration by certain governmental entities;

HB 272 - Relating to the operation of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association and to the resolution of certain disputes concerning claims made to that association;

SB 12/HB400 - Relating to the flexibility of the Board of Trustees of a school district in the management and operation of public schools in the district and the flexibility for public schools to administer primary and secondary education efficiently;

HB 1937 - Relating to prosecution and punishment for the offense of official oppression by the intrusive touching of persons seeking access to public buildings and transportation; and

HB 900/SB 308 - Relating to the composition of the congressional districts for the State of Texas.

So, that's the latest from Austin.