Texas state representatives get work to do for the Speaker of the House

AUSTIN — State representatives have some homework.

House Speaker Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, released interim charges Friday for state representatives to address between now and the next legislative session in 2015.

“The charges reflect many of the ideas and issues that you have suggested the House study over the next year,” Straus said in a cover letter to the 44-page document laying out the charges. “I also hope you will approach these issues with an open mind. Don’t be afraid to consider new and different ways to make state government more effective, efficient and accountable to taxpayers.”

The charges included standard language about monitoring the implementation of new legislation and maximizing government efficiency for the more than 30 standing committees. Straus also put up specific items such as looking into topics such as online education, investigating the deadly explosion of a fertilizer plant in Central Texas last spring, and looking at so-called “dark money” that is funneled to candidates in such a way that it is not reported.

“My view is the Speaker of the House is serious on looking at the major issues that are going to hit Texas in the next session,” state Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, the chairman of the House Calendars Committee, said. “All the committees are pretty strong, and the issues are very bold, which is good.”

State Rep. Drew Darby, R-San Angelo, said he was glad there are measures to keep Texas from moving away from depending on special, dedicated funds to balance the state budget and not using those funds for their intended purpose.

Darby worked on legislation to help ease the dependency on those special funds.

“I’m pleased with that,” Darby said. “That allows us to keep moving forward.” The San Angelo legislator, who faces an opponent in the March 4 primary, said he was also glad to see materials related to tuition revenue bonds, which would help universities’ capital funding.

“I think the education committee will look at capital needs,” Darby said. “It looks like we’re going to have a very busy spring summer and fall.”

State Rep. James Frank, R-Wichita Falls, said he was glad to see charges aimed at helping communities keep military bases, such as the Sheppard Air Force Base in his district.

He also like keeping an eye out on the states’ new $2 billion fund for capital seed money for water projects.

“It’s great that we do a water bank, but if the bank is not set up to run efficiently, then it’s a bad ideas that we passed it,” he said.

He also like the charge at the end of each committee section emphasizing efficiency.

“Government efficiency should not be an oxymoron,” Frank said.

State Rep. Susan King, R-Abilene, was not available for comment.

Straus, who currently faces a speaker challenge from state Rep. Scott Turner, R-Frisco, said in his cover letter that there will be more interim charges down the line that will highlight his priorities.

“Combined with the interim charges that I am releasing today, the initiatives that I will soon propose will help all of us begin the 84th Legislature ready and equipped to tackle our state’s most serious challenges. Just as we did in last year’s session, I am confident that we can address these issues in a responsible, bipartisan way,” Straus stated in his letter.

Reprinted with permission from the San Angelo Standard-Times.