Vote Chris Turner

As I mentioned in the last Turner Telegram a couple of weeks ago, I wanted to devote some time to telling you about some of the major issues we addressed, along with some of the shortcomings and missed opportunities of this legislative session.

As a result of the failed school finance plan the Legislature passed in 2006, school districts across Texas saw their funding frozen, with no allowances for inflation. While some were reluctant to tackle publics school finance this session, the Legislature recognized the need to make real changes, right now.

I was proud to co-author legislation to send an additional $1.9 billion to our Texas public schools, provide an across the board teacher pay raise of at least $800 per year and create more equity among school districts. Although much more needs to be done to ensure that our public schools have the resources they need educate our children, this was a major step in the right direction, made possible by the federal stimulus package passed by Congress and signed by President Obama.

On higher education, Texas is woefully behind when it comes to “Tier One” research universities. Currently, Texas can claim three: UT-Austin, Texas A&M and Rice. Meanwhile, California has nine and New York has seven, putting the Lone Star State at a terrible competitive disadvantage. Seven Texas universities, including UT-Arlington, are considered “Emerging Research Universities.” This means that with an increase in research grants, they will have the ability to join the ranks of our nation’s top-tier schools. I co-authored the legislation to give these opportunities the ability to take the next step and potentially reach “Tier One” status in the next several years.

With the global economic downturn affecting Texas, I thought it imperative that we provide some relief for Texas small businesses. That is why I co-authored legislation to reduce the franchise tax burden on small business, which will translate into $172 million in needed tax relief. This will allow business owners to invest more in creating jobs for our state.

While the Legislature succeeded on some issues, there were some notable failures, as well. The Legislature failed to address several key issues, including transportation reform, insurance relief, tuition reduction and expanding the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

The Legislature had a real opportunity to take a close look at the Texas Department of Transportation and make some much needed changes to an agency that has a reputation for moving too slowly to build, repair and improve our state’s infrastructure - but did not get it done. In so doing, there was no movement toward increasing transportation options in North Texas and throughout our state. Our roads will remain congested, with no alternatives, such as rail, in sight.

With Texas families paying the highest homeowner’s insurance rates in the nation, we needed real insurance reform this year. I filed several bills that would have addressed consumer protection from insurance companies. Unfortunately, special interests reigned supreme and insurance reform did not become a reality. It is my hope that if and when a special session begins, insurance reform will be among the issues on the Governor’s call.

At the beginning of session members of both parties stood together to voice support for tuition relief for middle class families. With middle-class families being squeezed and tuition rates rising every year, it is harder than ever to send our kids to school. The Legislature had an opportunity to freeze tuition rates, but failed to do so. Without tuition reform soon, fewer students will be able to afford to attend Texas colleges and universities.

Finally, the Legislature failed to pass an expansion of CHIP. With the highest percentage of uninsured kids in the nation, it is inexcusable that CHIP expansion failed in the 11th hour, even though the House and Senate had both passed different CHIP bills with bipartisan support. I hope Governor Perry will also add this important issue to any special session agenda.
During the interim, I will be working hard to look at solutions to problems that still plague our state, such as reforming our transportation system, finding ways to for consumers to get what they pay for when it comes to insurance and ensuring that college is accessible and affordable for all, regardless of income.

As always, I want to hear from you. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have suggestion as to how we can make this state better for future generations.

PS: If you have an event you think we should add to our community calendar, please email matthew.geske@house.state.tx.us.

Community Calendar
June 19, 2009
Burleson Hot Sounds of Summer presents The Texas Gypsies
Corner of Ellison & Wilson Streets, Burleson, 7:30 - 9:00 PM

June 26, 2009
Burleson Hot Sounds of Summer presents The Derailers
Corner of Ellison & Wilson Streets, Burleson, 7:30 - 9:00 PM

July 2, 2009
Burleson Community Theatre Independence Day Dinner
Burleson High School Cafeteria, 100 Elk Drive, Burleson , 6:30PM

July 3, 2009
Light Up Arlington
Downtown Arlington, Levitt Pavillion, Pecan & Abrams St., Arlington, 5 - 10PM, Fireworks at 9:45PM

July 4, 2009
Arlington 4th of July Parade
Downtown Arlington , Go to www.arlington4th.com, 9:00AM

Burleson Lions Club 4th of July Parade
Old Town Burleson, Go to www.burlesonlions.org, 9:30AM

Burleson 4th of July Celebration
Hidden Creek Sports Complex, 700 S. Burleson Blvd., Burleson, 7:30 - 9PM

Mansfield Rockin’ 4th of July Celebration
Big League Dreams, 500 Heritage Pkwy. South, Mansfield, 6 - 11PM

The 81st Legislative Session is history. On Monday, we adjourned “Sine Die” - that’s a Latin phrase which, loosely translated, means the Legislature has finished its business and has adjourned for good. Granted, many Texans may wonder if we truly completed our business - and I will have some thoughts on that question in the next Turner Telegram. In the next edition, I will give you my views on some of the overall accomplishments - and shortcomings - of the Legislature over the past few months. But today, I wanted to tell you about some of the specific legislation I worked on.

During the past 140 days, I worked hard to pass significant measures to aid Texas veterans, protect consumers and enhance economic development in House District 96.

On the last day of session, I was honored to receive the bi-partisan Veteran’s Legislative Caucus’ “Freshman of the Year” award for my work on issues affecting Texas veterans and their families.

My work on behalf of those who served our nation so bravely is what I am most proud of this session. Senator Leticia Van de Putte and I passed legislation that will establish a dedicated lottery scratch-off game to benefit the Permanent Fund for Veterans Assistance, a top legislative priority for leading veterans’ organizations. Services that will be made possible with this bill include PTSD counseling, transportation assistance to VA health care facilities and job placement assistance. I authored and passed legislation that will ensure our veterans and their family members are able to take full advantage of the educational benefits which they have earned, by guaranteeing that there is a trained veteran’s aid specialist on every Texas public college and university. I also worked with Senator John Carona to pass legislation to allow state employees who take a leave of absence for military service to continue to accrue vacation and sick leave.

Senator Wendy Davis and I worked together to pass a major consumer protection measure, requiring utility companies to give notification to customers that their fixed rate contract is expiring. Over the past year and a half, I heard from many in Southern Tarrant County who had low fixed rate contracts and received no notification when their low rate contract expired, which resulted in bills doubling or tripling as a result. Now utility companies will have to provide written notification at least 30 days in advance and put the contract end date on every bill.

My top priority during the 81st Legislative Session was to stay in touch with and work hard for the constituents of House District 96. Prior to the beginning of session, I met with city and local leaders to discuss issues affecting them and how I could help. That’s why I filed and passed a bill which creates the Kennedale TownCenter Development District. Aimed to improve and diversify the economic base in Kennedale, the city and the Kennedale Economic Development Corporation will create a mixed use development that will house retail, professional offices and restaurants. Governor Perry has already signed this measure, which will ultimately help reduce pressure on local property taxes.

I am proud of our success in what was my very first session in Austin, but I am mindful that none of these things would have been accomplished without the support and encouragement of the people of District 96. It is a truly humbling experience to represent you in the Texas Legislature. I appreciate the help and support you all have given, for which I will always be grateful.

• H.B. 1299 was amended to a Texas Veterans Commission bill, which passed on the last day of session. It will create one scratch off lottery ticket to provide and estimated $8 million annually for critical and emergency aid to our veterans through the Fund for Veterans Assistance.

• H.B. 995 passed the House Committee on State Affairs unanimously (15-0) and was later amended onto another House Bill. The legislation will require retail electric providers to give their customers at least 30 days written notice that their fixed price electric contract is expiring.

• H.B. 1300 will create the Kennedale TownCenter Development District. The district will create a mixed-use commercial facility and will help lessen the tax burden on Kennedale homeowners.

• H.B. 2396 will require sex offenders who claim to be homeless to register with their local law enforcement agency every 2 weeks.  The bill was combined with an identical piece of legislation during the committee process, which is now headed to Governor Perry.

• H.B. 1636 ensures that all state employees who are called to active military duty are able to continue to accrue their vacation and sick time and do not lose these benefits because they were deployed. The bill was the House companion to State Senator John Carona’s SB 833, which Turner sponsored in the House and has been sent to Governor Perry.

• H.B. 1637 adjusted the definition of the 40-hour work week as it pertains to the shared work unemployment compensation program making it possible for many of our large manufacturers and other employers who operate on swing shifts to take advantage of this state program. Turner passed this bill on the first day the House considered legislation.  The measure has been signed by Governor Perry.

• H.B. 3951 requires state colleges and universities ensure a professional in their financial aid office is familiar with and trained on the major educational benefits available to veterans — particularly the GI Bill and the Hazelwood Act. The bill passed the House and Senate and has been sent to Governor Perry.

• H.B. 3952 extends the Hazelwood Act to the spouses of Texas military members who are killed in the line of duty or left completely disabled. Turner amended the measure to SB 93 and will be soon sent to Governor Perry for signing.

• Turner added an amendment to H.B. 1935 which establishes the Jobs and Education for Texans Grant Program. The amendment will ensure that those organizations that have programs benefiting veterans will be given priority in the grants awarding process.

• Turner authored and passed out of the House legislation requiring computer technicians to report the discovery of child pornography to law enforcement.  This measure had strong support from law enforcement, but unfortunately the bill died in the Senate.