The Speaker created the Select Committee on Election Contests: Members are Todd Hunter(R)-Chair, Craig Eiland(D)-Vice Chair, Dennis Bonnen(R), Helen Giddings(D), Ryan Guillen(D), Lois Kohlkorst(R), Tryon Lewis(R), Jerry Madden(R) and Wayne Smith(R), with Rep. Will Hartnett(R) as the Master of Discovery.
State Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, Chair of House Appropriations spoke this morning at the first in a series hosted by the Texas Tribune entitled “Meet the Chairs,” which features committee chairmen of the Texas House and Senate talking about major issues of the 82nd legislative session. Pitts noted this morning that he would file the House appropriations bill next Tuesday and take members questions on Wednesday.
Although Pitts declined to give specifics on the bill he plans to file he noted there are “no sacred cows” and there will be cuts made across the board. The bill was drafted with the assumption of no new revenue or accessing the rainy day fund, but Pitts argued, discussion of additional revenue may ensue after the bill is laid out.
Evan Smith asked Pitts if he what access the rainy day fund and why. Speaking for himself, Pitts noted if he wanted to access the fund to address the $4.3 billion shortfall from the last budget estimate. The state expects to collect $77.3 billion in general revenue during the next two-year budget cycle. However, the size of the current deficit is $4.3 billion, which leaves lawmakers with $72.2 billion to construct the budget for the next two years. Pitts acknowledges there is a structural shortfall within the Texas budget and wants to see a healthy discussion on possible solutions. For this session, he cautions that bills with a fiscal note will not be let out on the House floor.