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The House and Senate GOP Caucuses held a joint press conference on August 3 to discuss the 87th First Special Session Agenda.

 

This report is intended to give you an overview and highlight of the discussions on the various topics taken up. It is not a verbatim transcript of the discussions but is based upon what was audible or understandable to the observer and the desire to get details out as quickly as possible with few errors or omissions.

 

Senator Larry Taylor

  • Senate has passed every bill on the Special Session Call
  • The House has not received those bills due to a lack of quorum
  • There is still time for the Democrats to come home and do the job they were elected to do
  • Will have another special session, would presume we will be back in session next week
  • Vacation time is over for the Democrats and Republicans have been working all summer

 

Representative Jim Murphy

  • We are still working, and are not finished
  • Recognize with three days left, the Democrat colleges are not likely to come back for this session
  • If you are a retired teacher and want that 13th check, blame the Democrats
  • Democrats can also be blamed for the lack of bail reform and lack of foster system reform

 

Senator Jane Nelson

  • If time for Democrats to come back to the state to finish their business
  • Economy is doing so well; Comptroller said we have an additional $7 billion
  • Could have done property tax relief, to solve the border crisis, and a 13th check for retired teachers
  • We did not do those things during the regular session because we did not have the money to do so
  • Is false and dishonest that any of these extra things could have happened during regular session
  • We will keep coming back for special sessions until we get these things done

 

Representative Greg Bonnen

  • Comptroller has extended available revenues in May with an additional $7 billion
  • Have an opportunity to address problems in the foster care system; have proposed approximately $40 million per year
  • Legislature can take care of Article X funding, all we need is participation of Democratic colleges
  • Emergency items for the Special Session such as bail reform must be dealt with
  • Election integrity remains at the forefront of the conversation; HB 3 makes it easier to vote and harder to cheat
  • Texans deserve a uniform election code
  • Governor Abbott has stated he will keep calling special sessions until we get these items done

 

Representative Jim Murphy

  • If Democrats will not return before this Session ends, tax relief for seniors
  • Will have spent over $1 million for this special session
  • Remain committed to these items

 

Questions & Answers

Q: Question concerning Governor Abbott vetoing Article X before the Democrats went to D.C.

  • Taylor – You could get in the semantics, but if they were here, that would not be an issue

 

Q: Requiring Article X first on the next special session agenda?

  • Taylor – Could be an olive branch from the Governor’s office, but we will follow the Governor’s lead
  • Q: Is equal power under all three branches?
  • Taylor – Governor has power to call special sessions, will deal with Article X immediately
  • Taylor – My office would help pay for those salaries
  • Q: Would take money from your campaign?
  • Taylor – Would use the money to get the job done

 

Q: How would the next elections bill change?

  • Taylor – Most of the things that have been said about the elections bill are not true
  • Taylor – Will do the work when they come back
  • Q: What will change?
  • Taylor – Will do that work in committees, meetings, and on the floor

 

Q: Is it feasible to call session after session?

  • Taylor – People of Texas do not want people running from a fight
  • Taylor – People will get impatient especially because of the cost
  • Taylor – They are only delaying the legislative process

 

Q: When is the next one?

  • Taylor – Up to the Governor, expect one next week

 

Q: Question concerning money spent during the regular session

  • Taylor – Had to limit spending in the regular session, now have more

 

Q: should the state do more to encourage vaccinations?

  • Bonnen – Are seeing a highly contagious variant, but is not virulent
  • Bonnen – 95% of those admitted are not immunized, being immunized offers excellent protection
  • Bonnen – Virus will eventually infect the whole population; some of those who have not been immunized seem to have greater symptoms
  • Bonnen – Encourage people to get immunized and that is how we will end the pandemic