Capitol Newsletter

House Bill 1: Texas House Budget   On March 31st, the Texas House of Representatives will debate House Bill 1.  We are addressing the needs of our growing state in a fiscally responsible manner. We are committed to finding solutions while passing a budget that lives within its means by staying beneath the constitutional spending limit.  The $209.8 billion budget lives within its means by staying beneath the constitutional spending limit and keeping overall growth at 4 percent over two years.    The proposed budget puts dollars toward transportation, education, public safety and border security, and provides funding to make the Employee Retirement System pension fund actuarially sound.  HB 1 increases transparency in various ways. It uses all of the money in the state highway fund for transportation. It also takes fee revenue collected from drunk drivers and uses it for hospital trauma care. It also ends funding for programs that have little demand.  To follow debate tomorrow, please click on the audio option of The Texas Legislature Online.  Texas Senate News Last week the Texas Senate approved Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick's $4.5 billion tax relief package to cut property and business margin taxes. SB 1 devotes about $2.4 billion to increase homestead exemptions from school property taxes. SB 7 would cut the business franchise tax by 15 percent, and would cost the state about $1.4 billion in lost revenue over the next two years. SB 8 would exempt businesses that make less than $4 million annually from the franchise tax altogether, and would cost the state about $760 million over the next two years. Critics argue that the francize tax cut would place an undue burden on big businesses in order to cut taxes for smaller ones.    To provide your thoughts on these pieces of legislation, please email my office at District129.Paul@house.state.tx.us VOTE ON THE NAME OF AMERICA'S NEXT ROCKET Be a part of the future and name America's next ride to space.  A campaign was unveiled last week to encourage the publics interest in the space industry.  You can vote online at bit.ly/rocketvote or text 22333 to vote: ULA1 for "Eagle"  ULA2 for "Freedom"  ULA3 for "GalaxyOne." CONSTITUENT CORNER   Recently, I had the great pleasure of meeting constituent William Ryan Zimmerman.  Ryan has completed the requirements and found worthy of the rank of Eagle Scout.  Not only has he dedicated his time through volunteer service within scouts holding many positions of leadership and elected to Order of the Arrow, he was also nominated for American Legion Boys State.   Thank you for your commitment and you can be proud of the impact and influence your example has had to our community. Capitol Visitor Information   My staff and I welcome everyone to visit our office as well as the historic Capitol building.  If you are planning a trip to the Capitol be sure to stop by our office, Room E2.814.  Here are some helpful tips for your visit: Texas Capitol Visitor Center Texas State Preservation Board The Bullock Texas State History Museum State Representative Dennis Paul       Texas State Capitol P.O. Box 2910 Office: E2.814 Austin, TX 78768 512-463-0734 Office 512-463-0401 Fax District Office 17225 El Camino Real, Suite 415 Houston, TX  77058 281-488-8900 Office 512-463-0401 Fax   STAY CONNECTED

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