Vicki Truitt's Newsletter dated 4/5/11 about the Budget

From Where I Sit . . . 82nd Legislature April 4, 2011     A message from . . . State Rep. Vicki Truitt                                                                         STATE REPRESENTATIVE VICKI TRUITT   Proudly serving the people of the 98th Texas House district! (Residents of Grapevine, Colleyville, Southlake, Keller, Westlake, Trophy Club-Tarrant County, far north Fort Worth, and unincorporated northeast Tarrant County) vicki.truitt@house.state.tx.us ·   DISTRICT OFFICE 1256 Main Street Suite 248 Southlake, TX 76092 Southlake Town Square (817) 488-4098 (817) 488-4099 fax · CAPITOL OFFICE P.O. Box 2910 Austin, TX 78768-2910 GW.18 (512) 463-0690 (512) 477-5770 fax · CAMPAIGN OFFICE P.O. Box 886 Keller, TX   76244 (817) 897-0056 RepTruitt@VickiTruitt.com      Thank You District 98! GOD BLESS TEXAS! and GOD BLESS AMERICA! ____________________ Vicki at House front mic on opening day of the   82nd Legislature    Dear Friends, You can tell the Legislature is in full swing.  Last week, on Wednesday, I had a 20-hour day, and then on Friday, we worked for 16 hours on the next biennial budget.  Beginning last Friday, and concluding last night (Sunday evening), the Texas House of Representatives passedHouse Bill 1, the House's version of a proposed budget for the state's fiscal period beginning on September 1, 2011 and ending on August 31, 2013. HB 1 sets a proposed budget for the state that: Is within available revenue, Creates no new taxes, and  Promotes the principles of limited government. The bill passed on both second and third readings with a vote of 98 in favor, and 49 opposed, 2 present, not voting, and 1 excused absence.  I voted in favor of the bill.  Many of you have contacted me with your concerns over the severe cuts in the budget.  This proposed budget would cut every aspect of state government.    The fact is - Texas is constitutionally bound to operate with a balanced budget.  With the downturn in the economy, there are limited resources to allocate (something, frankly, by which I believe Congress should also be bound). The bill the Texas House passed would decrease the state's spending by about $23 billion, or 12.3% of all funds.   (Compare this to what, I believe, the federal government is considering - a $30 billion cut in spending.)  General revenue funding (which comes mostly from state taxes and fees) would fall $4.6 billion, or 5.2% from the current fiscal year's budget. The Texas Legislature must strike a careful balancebetween living within our means, and funding vital services like public education and other essential services for Texas' most vulnerable citizens, needed transportation infrastructure, etc.    Please understand that the passage of HB 1 is only a starting point.  This is not the final product.  This is thebeginning of a process that will, undoubtedly, change.  The budget will "evolve" as the House and the Senate go to "conference" to resolve the differences between their two different versions of the budget. I am keenly aware that there is a human face behind each of the difficult decisions we must make.  As the budget works its way through the legislative process, we will continue to work on finding ways to reduce the cuts to our most essential and important state services - such as public education. In the meantime, I want to continue to hear from you.  I welcome and need your input.    On the state's budget . . . stay tuned.  Please remember the members of the Texas Legislature in your prayers - not only that we will be guided to make sound decisions for the people of our beloved state, but also for Rep. Barbara Nash (R-Arlington) whose sister passed away yesterday, and Rep. Alma Allen (D-Houston) who buried her husband of 54 years on Saturday. Finally, please look for and respond to the survey I'll be sending you regarding HB 750 - "Campus Carry."  I would sincerely appreciate having your opinion on this matter. Thank you for the privilege of serving you in the Texas House!                                           Vicki   Political ad paid by TRUITT for DISTRICT 98 P.O. Box 886 Keller, Texas 76244 William E. Greenwood, Treasurer

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Please take this survey from Vicki Truitt

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=8hfxvncab&v=001iPF_ovG5vap_2ioXEemJPy-fIZj-kqsEb6GWHgYt5GS0y_rF82FEqbHcBPOiQxq2JPt6T8mCY5IxJJJKfDwpOvC1OWCjhueoNFwoYOrrFGhV2AjUUD5BIAnzr9RfQ3IgOcOvbC1F_DZisF708mF5CYgHVUd3g7nV

What are your thoughts about using the Rainy Day fund?

Texas' Rainy Day Fund

http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2011/03/villarreal-calls-deal-an-embar.html

http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/politics/entries/2011/03/15/gov_rick_perry_and_house.html

Texas Legislature Week in Review by Moak & Casey

http://www.moakcasey.com/news/article.aspx?id=2173

Some Education Considerations from our Legislature

http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/03/20/2936339/texas-legislature-considering.html

Our GCISD heroes, rallying in Austin on March 12th!

A letter for this group from our Superintendent, Dr. Ryan:

A letter for this group from our Superintendent:

Thank you to everyone who has called, written and even trekked to Austin to meet with lawmakers and attend rallys urging our legislators to Make Education A Priority! As I left Austin after a day full of meeting with lawmakers, it seems that some of our state leaders have forgotten about the importance of having excellent public schools. Not once in this statewide funding discussion have I heard senior state leadership talk publicly about excellence in education or preparing Texas students for a global economy. I have heard only about budget cuts and fingerpointing.

While the issue at hand may be about a budget shortfall, how we handle it today will have long-term impacts on the future of our state. In GCISD we have done our part. We continue to provide our students with an excellent education in a lean and fiscally reponsible manner. Our legislators need to continue hearing from parents, teachers, and community members about how the massive cuts that have been proposed will impact our people, our schools and our students. Your voices are being heard and YOU are making a difference!

All the BEST,

RR

Dr. Robin Ryan

Superintendent

Grapevine-Colleyville ISD

Building Excellent Schools Together