SD 11 SREC: E-Newletter from State Representative Dennis Paul

SPECIAL SESSION NEWS

This week the Texas House is working hard on many important issues including the passage of HB214 which is consumer choice for elective abortion coverage. Additionally passing legislation to assist partially disabled veterans and their spouses with resident homestead tax exemptions. In the coming days, members will also discuss the issues of election fraud and agencies under Sunset Review. Committees are continuing to meet to discuss other topics under the Governors call in hopes for future debate on the House floor.

As we have mentioned before, the House and Senate can move at different speeds because of the differences in size and their respective rules. House rules require Texans to be given notice of committee hearings to allow them to make their views known. House rules also require longer notice periods for certain bills to be considered for final passage to allow Texans to read the bills that are going to affect them and to allow voters to express their views to House Members. Both the House and Senate have to agree on the exact text of any of the special session items. Because of differences in the size of chambers and their rules, House deliberation sometimes can take longer than Senate actions.

Texas Sales Tax Holiday is Aug. 11-13

This year, the sales tax holiday is scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 11-13. The law exempts most clothing, footwear, school supplies and backpacks priced below $100 from sales tax, saving shoppers about $8 on every $100 they spend during the weekend.

Lists of apparel and school supplies that may be purchased tax-free can be found on the Comptroller's website at TexasTaxHoliday.org.

This year, shoppers will save an estimated $87 million in state and local sales taxes during the sales tax holiday.

State Sales Tax Revenue Totaled $2.6 Billion in July

Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced that state sales tax revenue totaled $2.56 billion in July, 7.9 percent more than in July 2016.

"Sales tax receipts from all major economic sectors were up compared to last year," Hegar said. "The most notable increases were from oil- and gas-related industries, as spending on well development continues to rebound. Despite the recent uptick, sales tax revenue remains in line with recent estimates from my office."

Total sales tax revenue for the three months ending in July 2017 is up 7.3 percent compared to the same period a year ago. Sales tax revenue is the largest source of state funding for the state budget, accounting for 56 percent of all tax collections. Motor vehicle sales and rental taxes, motor fuel taxes and oil and natural gas production taxes also are large revenue sources for the state.

In July 2017, Texas collected the following revenue from those taxes:

motor vehicle sales and rental taxes - $384.7 million, down 7.3 percent from July 2016;
motor fuel taxes - $308.2 million, up 3.7 percent from July 2016; and oil and natural gas production taxes - $251.5 million, up 24.6 percent from July 2016

For details on all monthly collections, visit the Comptroller's Monthly State Revenue Watch.

DPS Urges Preparedness as Hurricane Season Continues

With four months remaining in the 2017 hurricane season, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is reminding residents to evaluate their emergency plans and tune in to weather forecasts for potential hurricanes and tropical storms. Historically, August and September are the more active months during hurricane season. Hurricane season began June 1 and continues through Nov. 30.

"As we approach the peak months of hurricane season, residents should remain vigilant and keep a watchful eye on weather reports and forecasts for their area," said DPS Director Steven McCraw. "The time to prepare for a hurricane or tropical storm is now, and we are reminding Texans to develop a hurricane plan and assemble an emergency kit before a storm takes aim on our state."

All Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coastal areas are subject to hurricanes or tropical storms. It is possible for a storm to severely impact our state, even prior to or without making direct landfall in Texas. Additionally, the rainbands associated with a tropical system have an extremely wide reach, so monitoring changing weather conditions during hurricane season is critically important for all Texans.

Hurricanes can cause catastrophic damage to coastlines, and winds can vary from 74 to 157 miles per hour (or higher). In addition, hurricanes and tropical storms can also spawn tornadoes, create dangerous coastal water conditions, including storm surges along the coast, and cause extensive damage from flooding.

To read more from the Texas Department of Public Safety click here.

Residents are also encouraged to review their property's flood risk and current insurance coverage, and to consider whether a separate flood policy should be part of their home protection plan. (Remember most flood policies have a 30-day waiting period before taking effect.)

For more information, click here.

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