Immigration not among hundreds of bills filed Monday
Immigration not among hundreds of bills filed Monday
By Gary Scharrer | November 12, 2012
AUSTIN - Getting a running start on the upcoming legislative session, Texas lawmakers pre-filed hundreds of bills Monday, among them measures to put a moratorium on the state's high-stakes testing, ban texting while driving, eliminate straight-ticket voting for judges, and allow local school boards to post the Ten Commandments in classrooms.
Lawmakers also will debate a resolution calling for Texas voters to legalize casino gambling and slot machines.
Monday was the first day state lawmakers could file bills for the 83rd Texas legislative session that starts Jan. 8. Thousands of bills will be filed, but, typically, no more than a quarter pass into law.
Texas voters should decide whether to legalize casino gambling, said Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, author of the measure.
"Clearly, we need the money," Ellis said, adding that many Texans travel to neighboring states where they can gamble in casinos legally.
Legalizing slot machines and opening up casinos also would "pressure those sleazy, eight-liners that are operating in every neighborhood throughout the state," Ellis said.
If lawmakers approve HB 51 next spring, local school boards could post a copy of the Ten Commandments "in a prominent location in a district classroom," taking effect for the 2013-14 school year.
The bill was filed by Rep. Dan Flynn, R-Van, who also filed legislation to place a temporary moratorium on high-stakes school testing. His bill would apply for the 2013-14 and 2014-15 school years.
Straight-ticket voting
School districts could suspend the state's testing system with approval from a district's board of trustees. Savings from not preparing and administering the state test would have to be spent on teachers or other education staff with direct contact with students or classroom materials.
Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, said he wants to end straight-ticket voting for judges because the political winds often determine the fate of a judicial candidate instead of qualifications.
"Most voters have no idea of who they are voting for, for judges," Patrick said.
Former Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick, R-Midland, filed legislation to ban texting while driving.
Lawmakers passed a similar statewide ban on texting while driving two years ago, but Gov. Rick Perry vetoed the bill, calling it government overreach.
About 20 Texas cities already have banned texting while driving in their communities.
Craddick's bill would pre-empt local ordinances that are inconsistent with the statewide ban on texting while driving, but cities could adopt restrictions more stringent than the proposed state law.
Several other lawmakers also filed texting-while-driving ban bills Monday.
"Driving around town or from Midland to Austin, I see so many drivers distracted by their phone," Craddick said. "These drivers are taking their eyes off the road and jeopardizing the safety of themselves and others. Writing a text or checking your messages is not worth injuring yourself or someone else. I believe a ban on texting while driving will help save lives."
The state's controversial business tax would be abolished if lawmakers approve bill by Sen. Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls. His bill contemplates a Jan. 1, 2014, effective date but does not suggest how to replace the $4 billion a year revenue from the business tax that lawmakers changed in 2006 when they reduced school property taxes. Tax bills, however, must originate in the state House.
No immigration bills
Unlike two years ago, the first day for pre-filed bills did not produce any immigration-related legislation. State Rep. Debbie Riddle, R-Tomball camped out in the Capitol for two days in 2010 to get a low bill number for legislation targeting illegal immigration.
Phone calls to Riddle's office were not returned. Many state offices were closed for the Veterans Day holiday.
Republicans should not pursue immigration reform at the state level, particularly in the aftermath of election results showing a growing Latino turnout, immigration rights supporters said.
"They know it's going to kill them, but they do it anyway," said Luis Figueroa, a lawyer for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund.
gscharrer@express-news.net
Immigration not among hundreds of bills filed Monday - Houston Chronicle
