State Rep. Chris Turner Finishes Successful Legislative Session

Turner Named “Freshman of the Year” by bi-partisan Veterans Caucus

AUSTIN- State Representative Chris Turner ended his first legislative session with the passage of several significant measures aimed to aid Texas veterans, protect consumers and enhance economic development in House District 96.

AIDING TEXAS VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES

Turner passed several key measures to aid Texas veterans and their families:

Turner filed and passed legislation that will generate up to $14 million over the next two years to pay for critical services for Texas veterans. This measure, which establishes a dedicated lottery scratch-off game to benefit the Permanent Fund for Veterans Assistance, was 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.

Turner also passed legislation that will help ensure that 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 at every public Texas college and university.

Turner successfully passed legislation to allow state employees who take a leave of absence for military service to continue to accrue vacation and sick leave.

Finally, Turner’s measure to expand the Hazelwood college financial aid program to the spouses of service members who are killed or completely disabled as a result of their service is on its way to the Governor’s desk.

“With over 1.7 million veterans in Texas, I was honored to fight for our veterans to ensure that they receive the benefits they have earned and deserve,” said Turner. “With thousands of Texans fighting wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, we must do all we can to make sure that they will receive the help they need when they return home.”

As a result of Turner’s effective work on veterans’ issues, the bipartisan Veterans’ Caucus named Turner its “Freshman of the Year.” “I am humbled to have received this tremendous honor from my colleagues, and I intend to keep fighting for Texas veterans and their families,” Turner said.

CONSUMER PROTECTION

Another of Turner’s key accomplishments this session was authoring legislation requiring electric utility companies to provide their customers with written notice that their contract is close to expiring, giving consumers time to shop around and find a reasonable electric rate. Turner passed his bill out of the House State Affairs Committee, but it was one of hundreds that was never scheduled for a vote on the House floor.

The legislation was ultimately passed as an amendment that Senator Wendy Davis added to another bill, and it will go a long way toward preventing huge, unexpected rate hikes on Texas families.

“For the past year, I have heard story after story of families’ residential utility bills doubling overnight as a result of a contract ending unexpectedly,” said Turner. “Texasfamilies don’t need or deserve huge rate hikes, especially in tough economic times. The utility companies need to be upfront with their customers and let them know when their rates may go up and by how much.”

HELPING DISTRICT 96

Turner’s top priority during the 81st Legislative Session was to stay in touch and work hard for the constituents he represents. Prior to the beginning of session, Turner met with city and local leaders to discuss issues affecting them and how he could help.

As a result of one such meeting, Turner filed and passed HB 1300, which creates the Kennedale TownCenter. 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.

“The TownCenter will provide much needed economic development and business revenue to the city and reduce the tax burden on homeowners,” said Turner. “My top priority has been and always will be to serve and be responsive to our district, and I remain honored and humbled to represent the families of southern Tarrant County in the Texas Legislature.”

STATE REPRESENTATIVE CHRIS TURNER’S LEGISLATIVE HIGHLIGHTS

• 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.