May 2, 2013

Legislative Happenings

 As State Representative and steward of your hard-earned tax dollars, one of my main priorities in the Legislature is to ensure that our state remains on its solid track towards economic prosperity by encouraging a friendly business climate in Texas.  This starts with lowering taxes, reducing the size and scope of government, and …promoting more substantive government accountability and transparency. We have a real opportunity in the 83^rd Legislature to re-evaluate our state budget, eliminate waste, and put more money back in to the hands of hardworking citizens by lowering taxes where possible.

Providing Tax Relief for Small Business – House Bill 2370

This week I presented House Bill 2370, which I authored, to the House Committee on Ways & Means. This legislation provides a tax deduction for small businesses that relocate to Texas from other states.  My bill is strongly endorsed and supported by Texas Governor Rick Perry and is a key tenant of the Governor’s ambitious four-point plan to provide tax relief for businesses that are subject to the onerous franchise tax.  Endorsed by the Texas Association of Business, the National Federation of Independent Business and the Texas Conservative Coalition, this legislation broadens our tax base and goes a long way towards spurring stable job growth in Texas.

Truth in Budgeting – House Bill 6

For years, momentum has been building to address the Texas Legislature’s use of dedicated accounts and to ensure they are being used for their intended purposes. For far too long, Texas has relied upon dedicated funds to certify the state budget, while in many cases the revenue appropriated to these accounts is not being used for their original purpose.  House Bill 6 helps address these accounting gimmicks by re-authorizing spending for various dedicated accounts and prohibiting usage of dedicated fees and taxes for a non-dedicated purpose.  Fortunately, this legislation passed in the House of Representatives this week and I look forward to its eventual passage in the Senate as well.

Promoting Budget Transparency – House Bill 14

Tomorrow, the House will consider House Bill 14, promoting government transparency and accountability by providing taxpayers with vital information about local government spending and debt.  While requiring taxable entities to post financial information online including revenues, expenditures and long-term debt obligations, this important legislation requires taxing authorizes to provide more detailed information on local debt referendums. A substantive win for taxpayers, this common-sense legislation is long overdue and I am proud to serve as a Co-Author.

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