June 29, 2011
Today, the following statements were released:
Remarks by Speaker Joe Straus Upon Conclusion of the Special Session
Texas House Speaker Joe Straus (R-San Antonio) today delivered the following remarks to House Members upon conclusion of the special session and adjournment Sine Die:
“I want to thank each of you for your very hard work over what is now one hundred and seventy days. It took a little longer than any of us wanted, but we’re finally closing very successful and productive, although difficult, legislative sessions.
“I’m proud that the House took the lead in making the tough choices required to pass a balanced budget, with no new taxes, while funding essential state services. We preserved funds to help balance what will also be a very difficult budget two years from now. We promoted our strong business climate. We promoted accountability and transparency in state government and in higher education and passed major sunset legislation. We passed all required redistricting maps, which is something that is unheard of in recent legislative history.
“These are just a few of the major accomplishments of the Texas House and of the Legislature as a whole. There are many, many others. The people of Texas can be proud that you did your work in a responsible and responsive way, representing the interests of those who sent us here.
“While we are all looking forward to a few weeks away from here and a few weeks off, the end of this legislative session also marks the beginning of preparations for the next one. Soon, we will focus on interim charges. And in the coming weeks, I will be asking each of you for your thoughts and suggestions on how we can have a productive interim, and one that will allow us to hit the ground running when we convene for the 83rd Legislative Session in January 2013.
“Members, I am honored to serve as your Speaker. Please know that my door is open to each and every one of you. No matter what the future brings, Texas has been well served by legislators who spent cautiously while working for better days in the future. I want to thank you again for working so hard this session and during the special session, and for debating difficult issues with passion and with civility. Thank you all very much.”
Lt. Governor Dewhurst Applauds Texas Legislature for Successful 82nd Session
Today, Lt. Governor David Dewhurst praised legislators for their distinguished service and thanked them for their hard work in shaping a historic legislative Session.
“I want to congratulate all of our Members, Speaker Straus and Governor Perry on one of the most conservative sessions in Texas history,” said Lt. Governor Dewhurst. “I have enjoyed working together to make Texas an even better place to live, work and raise a family. When you consider the challenges we faced − particularly with the budget − it’s remarkable that we were able to get so much done. We have proven once again there is no limit to what we can accomplish when we put Texans first.”
Accomplishments during the 82nd Session of the Texas Legislature include:
- Balancing the budget without raising taxes
- Reducing current state spending by almost $15 billion
- Saving nearly $6.5 billion in our Rainy Day Fund
- Increasing state funding for public schools by almost $4 billion
- Passing a historic “Loser Pays” tort reform law to reduce frivolous lawsuits
- Passing landmark, free market initiatives to improve health care and reduce costs
- Enacting a strong Voter ID law to protect the integrity of our elections
- Providing pregnant women the opportunity to see a sonogram of their unborn child
- Protecting the Second Amendment rights of Texas gun owners
- Redrawing Texas House, Senate and Congressional Districts for the next decade
- Creating an Instructional Materials Allotment (IMA) for school districts
- Providing flexibility for school districts with their management and operation
- Reforming Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) to limit lawsuit abuse and protect coastal property owners
Statement by Gov. Rick Perry on End of 2011 Legislative Session
Gov. Rick Perry issued the following statement regarding the end of the legislative session:
“I’m proud of Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, Speaker Joe Straus and lawmakers’ principled leadership to pass a balanced budget that doesn’t raise taxes and preserves billions unspent in our Rainy Day Fund, leaving our state on firm fiscal footing for the future. The decisions made were difficult, but lawmakers should take pride in the fact that they did what families all across Texas are doing: living within their means. I’m also proud we passed legislation that effectively reforms the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, addresses necessary health care efficiencies and completes congressional redistricting.
“Although I am disappointed lawmakers did not finalize legislation that would have banned sanctuary cities, I commend the Legislature’s work to pass measures that further strengthen our legal system through loser pays lawsuit reform, uphold the integrity of the ballot box by requiring voters to present photo ID at polling places, protect unborn life by requiring an ultrasound before an abortion, strengthen private property rights, and increase penalties for individuals who participate in human trafficking. And although the airport pat-down bill did not pass, it did initiate a public discussion and some changes in airport security procedures.
“Ultimately the measures we have worked together to complete this session will keep Texas a model of good, efficient and limited governance that other states and the federal government should follow.”