Capitol Newsletter

House approves lower cap on rainy day fund   Last Tuesday, the House passed a pair of bills that would end a further build-up of rainy-day dollars, instead the excess money would be used to pay off bonds early. HJR 8, a constitutional amendment, requires that when the state's rainy day fund hits a prescribed ceiling, any additional money will go into a specifically created fund for debt relief. Chairman Otto believes that this move is a fiscally responsible way to use these balances to pay off state debt. HB 8, also authored by Chairman Otto, lowers the cap and halts the practice of depositing federal money into the general revenue fund. The rainy day fund's ceiling would decrease to $11.8 billion. However, Otto's bill would not affect the cap for the next two-year budget cycle, which has already been set at $16.1 billion. Proposed changes to the school finance system   HB1759 is the proposed fix to the current school finance system. According to Chairman Aycock, the Legislature should not wait for the ruling in the school finance lawsuit to make necessary changes to the state's funding system for public education. HB 1759 would increase funding and bring more equity to the allocation of funds to school districts across the state. The bill also removes provisions such as the "Cost of Education Index." Under this provision, extra money is given to districts according to characteristics like size, percentage of low-income students, and teacher salaries in neighboring districts. HB 1759 puts this money toward overall per-student funding as almost 94% of students would see increases. The bill is contingent upon appropriations of $3 billion in new funds for public schools over the next two years, as provided for by the House budget. The Public    Education Committee is scheduled to hear testimony on the this week.   CONSTITUENT CORNER   Recently members of the Clear Brook High School PAL program, a high school service organization, hosted their annual Adaptive P.E. day. This annual event encourages  students with special needs to participate in physical activities in a carnival atmosphere. Members of PALs raise money to create games that are adaptable to these students, and prizes are donated by local business for the event. This is the 18th year of this event, and PALs from other CCISD high schools now participate. I would like to thank Donna Stone for her efforts in starting this event, and I wish her and the CCISD PAL program future success.     Thank you to everyone who attended the District 129 office grand opening.  I appreciate the work of the Clear Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, District Director Debra Risinger, and everyone who attended.  Thank you for the opportunity to represent you in Austin and I look forward to visiting with many of you on various issues affecting our community.  The new district office will allow my staff and I to hold stakeholder and constituent service meetings.                     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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