Lt. Governor Passes Top 30 Legislative Priorities Out of the Senate



 

20 Are On Track to Become Law; Others Blocked by Texas House

 

AUSTIN – Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued this statement today after gaveling sine die for the regular 85th legislative session:

“I began this session with a strong conservative agenda that affirmed my commitment to property tax reform, women’s privacy, life, the second amendment, border security, religious liberty and a lean and efficient government. Twenty of the 30 priorities I announced in January are on track to become law.
“The Senate led in passing a conservative budget that is more than a billion dollars less that our last budget and did not use the Rainy Day Fund for on-going expenses.
“The Senate led in passing legislation banning sanctuary cities and maintained funding for border security. We passed one of the strongest pro-life bills ever, protecting the dignity and sanctity of life by banning partial birth abortion in Texas as well as increasing criminal penalties for buying or selling human fetal tissue. We also passed critical reforms for Child Protective Services.

“The Senate led in strengthening religious liberty with the sermon protection act and we provided funding for protective vests for every law enforcement officer in Texas. We also passed a critical Photo Voter ID law.

“The Senate also led on ethics reform including additional public disclosures for office holders and candidates and cutting retirement benefits for elected officials who are convicted felons.”

 

“…Patrick, who leads the Senate….gets high marks for tackling ethics reform. The ethics reform package, authored by Sen. Van Taylor, R-Plano, was the first legislation passed by the Senate this year.”
– Austin American Statesman, May 25, 2017.

Click here for a complete list of Legislative Priorities.

 

Texas House Kills Real Property Tax Reform, Privacy Protections, Additional School Funding and the Tuition Freeze That Passed the Senate

“I am disappointed the Texas House blocked the passage of real property tax reform through rollback rates and mandatory elections. Unfortunately this means that Texans will continue to suffer a high property tax burden. The House also ignored the need to establish privacy regulations for schools and other local entities, ensuring that our state will continue to be embroiled in this issue in local communities and school restrooms, locker rooms and showers.

“The House killed the tuition freeze legislation which would have immediately addressed the spiraling costs of a college education that is crippling many Texans. Inexplicably, the House also rejected over a half-billion dollars in additional school funding because of their refusal to accept a school choice program for disabled children.

“I am very proud of what we were able to accomplish in the 140 days of this legislative session and I give all the credit to the vigilance and hard work of every senator. We will continue to celebrate these victories of conservative principles and governance and we will continue to fight the battles that remain — particularly on property taxes and privacy which remain ‘must-pass’ legislation.”