Governor Rick Perry today declared additional emergency items for the 2011 legislative session. The emergency items are:
- Legislation to require a voter to present proof of identification when voting; and
- Legislation to provide for a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
“Fiscal discipline, balanced budgets and the integrity of the ballot box are critical to the people of Texas,” Gov. Perry said. “Under this emergency declaration, Texas lawmakers will be able to address these priority issues more quickly.”
Gov. Perry, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Speaker Joe Straus agree these issues are important to Texans, and this emergency designation will allow lawmakers to begin considering these issues in the initial 30 days of the legislative session.
Gov. Perry previously announced two other emergency items for the 82nd Legislative Session – protecting private property rights/addressing eminent domain issues, and abolishing sanctuary cities in Texas.