Blog # 14 Legislative Update
(Originally posted in-part on the Green Wire Lege update, May 13, 2009 and before the Voter I.D. chumming session during the last two weeks of the regular session!)
Now that the Texas Legislature has two plus weeks left, I have again changed my strategy in order to focus on two out of the many bills the Green Party of Texas has supported.
And almost immediately after selecting my focus on the Rainwater Harvesting Bill, House Bill 4299, and the Ballot Access bill, HB 820, the latter was deemed dead in the water: Dot Pate - Ballot Access Director for the Constitution Party of Texas - contacted the loosely formed action group (what has become a de-facto New Party Election Coalition) that Rep. Ortiz's Legislative Director had called the Elections Committee Chairman Todd Smith and they will not bring up HB 820 for a vote.
Learning that the Ballot Access bill would not make it to the Calendars committee, I will be reviewing all the bills the Greens have supported in order to lobby the support of a select few that have successfully made it out of their respective committees, and continue to monitor those bills that partner/like-minded watchdog organizations continue to need immediate support or assistance rallying e-mails and calls.
On a positive note, I have kept a close eye on the Rainwater Harvesting bill by Rep. Patrick Rose, communicating with his legislative director Joe Stephens on Monday to see whether contacting all the members on the House Calendars Committee would be useful for moving the bill forward and in addition to check and see if there is a need to lobby Senators as co-sponsors of the bill: I was told to hold off because he was waiting on a reply from the Calendars Committee by Thursday or sooner, and that Senator Averitt, the Chair of the Senate Natural Resources Committee, has chosen to sponsor the bill (though this does not yet appear on the Texas legislature online website!).
In fact, it was the very next day that notice was given to all of the rainwater legislation enthusiasts, those invited to provide input in a roundtable discussion in March which I was asked to be a part of, that the bill has been selected by the Calendars Committee. From the letter:
Dear Stakeholder,
HB 4299 was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources on March 24, was considered in a public hearing on March 31, and was passed out of committee on April 9. It was then sent to the Calendars Committee where it has been waiting to be scheduled for debate on the House Floor.
Last night, however, HB 4299 took a great leap forward as it was placed on the Major State Calendar for consideration on Wednesday, May 13. Generally, there are three different calendars on which bills can be placed. Of the three, the Major State Calendar is the most selective, containing only those bills which are deemed to be of heightened importance to the state. Water conservation issues generally, and rainwater harvesting specifically, most definitely fit this category so I believe it fitting that HB 4299 is being considered in such a manner.
So, given this propitious news of the forward steps the bill has recently taken in the process it is very likely that the bill will at least make it to the House floor for debate, with the additional support of the Chair who's Senate Committee the bill must pass scrutiny and, given the non-partisan content and universally shared import of this bill to drought frequented Texas, it has an excellent chance of becoming law!
The bill itself is a first step toward making way for additional state supported recommendations as developed by the TWDB report of 2007 (see ) - Even though the City of Austin has instituted many of the bill's recommendations, the rest of the State has to start somewhere!
This bill will come up in the House soon - Please be prepared to phone your legislators to support in favor of HB 4299!!!
The Ballot Access bill, HB 820, which would have reduced the number of registered voter signatures needed from 60,000 down to 500 sadly got it's anticipated demise, dying in the Elections Committee. Chuck Bennett of the Constitution Party wrote an excellent essay on the importance of making it easier for New Parties to make it on the ballot, see http://www.newswithviews.com/guest_opinion/guest139.htm. On a positive note, I had the opportunity to work in support of this and other election reform legislation with executive members of the Constitution Party, Libertarian Party, Independent Texans, VoteRescue and individuals passionate about opening up the democratic process beyond the so-called "two party" system.
At this point in the legislative session it would be most helpful, in many cases IMPERATIVE, that legislators hear directly from individual citizens of Texas on your support or dislike for specific bills: I have heard many times that legislators hear all the time from lobbyists, and that a call from a constituent carries great weight!
Tell your story and make sure your legislator hears it!
Upcoming bills to support or knock down: NOTE - These e-mail alerts were forwarded to Green's mailing lists:
HB 220 - Texans United for Reform and Freedom (TURF), the anti-toll road folks, Press Release states:
| NEED CALLS TO CONTINUE TO STOP FREEWAY TO TOLLWAY CONVERSIONS! SB 220 needs to die in committee! SB 220, by Senator Robert Nichols', that would legalize the conversion of free roads like 281, 1604, 290 was left pending in committee. They can vote it out at ANY TIME! |
| Two quick ACTION ITEMS: 1) Call the Speaker, Joe Straus, NOW at 512-463-1000 (try this one if the other doesn't work: 512-463-0056) or email his aide at: craig.chick@speaker.state.tx.us 2) email the House Transportation Committee here: house_thc@texasturf.org Contact both with this message: Leave SB 220 in committee. The House just voted for the RIGHT wording, Leibowitz' HB 13 amendment that was successfully attached to the TxDOT Sunset Bill, HB 300. NO to SB 220. Yes to the Leibowitz amendment in HB 300 becoming law. BACKGROUND: The House suspended the rules and posted notice of committee action with only a few hours notice... The House just passed Leibowitz' version of this bill (HB 13) as an amendment to HB 300, which has very different wording than SB 220. SB 220 opens up a whole NEW loophole allowing divided highways that have stoplights (281, 1604!) to be converted to toll roads WITHOUT A VOTE! The House does NOT need to pass this, not mention if it does, it will become law in the place of the version the people of Texas have been asking for all session. HB 13 by a House member has been bottled up in committee while the Nichols' senate version may be voted out? How is that right? There was UNANIMOUS public support for HB 13 in committee yet there is tremendous opposition to SB 220. SB 220 perpetuates the many loopholes that have been the subject of massive public opposition for years, not to mention 2 federal lawsuits. It would also allow freeway to tollway conversions UNABATED, without a vote! |
Support for the Law of Parties Bill HB 2267 which will be voted on in the House any day now:
The Law of Parties Bill (HB 2267)Passes Calendars Committee; Awaiting Vote in Full House!
HB 2267 (the Law of Parties bill) has been placed on the General State Calendar for a vote by the full House. There are now only about 45 bills in front of HB 2267, so the vote could come late on Wednesday or Thursday.
Number one priority is if you live in Texas call your own Texas state representative today and urge them to vote for HB 2267.
If passed, this bill would prohibit the Texas from seeking the death penalty for people who do not kill but are convicted under the Law of Parties and it would require separate trials for co-defendants in death penalty cases.
If you live in Texas, click here to find out who your state representative is.
Many more bills are pending and will need your action:
Check back to the Green Party of Texas legislative blog:
At http://txgreens.org/drupal/ click on Bill's Blog or go to http://texasgreenslegislation.blogspot.com/
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