Rep. Betty Brown’s Capitol Update

[Capitol Update from Rep. Betty Brown (R-Terrell), TX-HD-4.]

Dear Friends:

As I’m sure you know by now, the 79th Legislative special session was successful in passing the legislation needed to reform the taxing structure for our state to fund education.  Governor Perry also opened the special session “call” to include certain education reforms including a teacher pay raise.  The following release from Speaker Craddick’s office contains a brief synopsis of the contents of the bills we passed before the deadline ending the special session.  I am very proud of the work done by the members of the committees involved and by all members of the 79th session of the legislature who contributed to our success.  I am, also, very pleased to be able to relay this information to you.

I hope that you will find this information helpful and informative.  Please contact my office if you have any questions.

Sincerely,

Betty Brown

Dear Friend:

On Monday, the Legislature finished the special session with tremendous success. It was the culmination of years of hard work to reform the public school finance system and improve public schools in Texas. We completed the work we came to do and addressed the Supreme Court mandate.

As a result of the hard work and dedication put forth by the House and Senate, Texas is going to see:

*          The largest property tax cut in history, using part of the surplus

money to buy down property taxes

*          Stronger tax caps and taxpayer protections

*          More money for schools

*          An increase in teacher pay

*          Better school district accountability for parents and taxpayers

*          And a reformed business tax system that paves the way for even more

economic growth in Texas.

The bills passed by the Legislature had bipartisan support and were endorsed by numerous business, education and civic organizations from across the state. They will go a long way toward expanding after tax income for Texas families, helping increase family net worth and further promoting success in public schools.

The Legislature could not have accomplished these goals were it not for the hard work and recommendations made by the Texas Tax Reform Commission, appointed by Governor Rick Perry and led by former Comptroller John Sharp.

Final text versions of the bills passed will be posted on www.capitol.state.tx.us. The Web site, www.tomcraddick.com, has also been updated with an explanation of the legislation along with special weekly columns that went out to the media. Please share this information with your friends today.

Although the special session has ended, the legislative work never does.

Visit the Web site regularly to read interim updates and find out what the 80th Regular Session will bring.

Thank you always for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Tom Craddick

Speaker