Bonnen hears (at least) SEVEN (more) special interest carve out bills (14 for session)....

"Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord,
But a just weight is His delight."
Proverbs 11:1

It's that time of week when we check on the latest from Dennis Bonnen and the Texas House Ways and Means committee. Yesterday, the Texas Senate took a tangible step towards meaningful property tax reform (even if it doesn't go far enough).  How did the House follow up today?!?

• HB 170        Lucio III | et al.      
  Relating to exempting books purchased, used, or consumed by university and college students from the sales and use tax for limited periods.

• HB 242        Hernandez | et al.     
  Relating to exempting textbooks purchased, used, or consumed by university and college students from the sales and use tax for limited periods.

• HB 350        Canales                
  Relating to exempting textbooks purchased, used, or consumed by university and college students from the sales and use tax for limited periods.

• HB 359        Cyrier                 
  Relating to the motor vehicle sales tax imposed on the purchase, rental, or use of certain emergency services vehicles.

• HB 1127       Raymond | et al.       
  Relating to a franchise tax credit pilot program for taxable entities that employ certain apprentices.

• HB 1199       Rodriguez, Justin      
  Relating to the sale or assignment of tax credits for the certified rehabilitation of certified historic structures.

• HB 1332       Parker | et al.        
  Relating to the exemption of certain entities that operate ambulances from certain motor fuel taxes.

Meet the Super Liberal Education Bill that Passed Straus' House

"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them."
Ephesians 5:11

"Community schools" are a euphemism for all in one social service centers that cover the cradle component of 'cradle to grave.'  We attended a government school lobby event early in the 84th session where they were discussed extensively.  Our own (Democrat) state rep, Eddie Rodriguez, was carrying the bill.

The idea sounded so far-fetched that, to be honest, we forgot about it.  Earlier today, on a whim, we decided to see which bills Eddie Rodrigez managed to pass.  What we discovered was shocking.

The Texas House, under Joe Straus' leadership, actually passed the community schools bill (HB 1891); making matters worse, Jimmie Don Aycock (Straus handpicked education committee chairman) was a co-author on the bill.

How the vote went down:

HB 1891 ON THIRD READING
(by E. Rodriguez, Farney, S. Turner, VanDeaver, and Aycock)
HB 1891, A bill to be entitled An Act relating to Texas community schools.
HB 1891 was passed by (Record 1151): 69 Yeas, 52 Nays, 3 Present, not voting.

Yeas — Allen; Alonzo; Alvarado; Anderson, C.; Aycock; Bernal; Blanco; Canales; Coleman; Collier; Cyrier; Darby; Davis, S.; Davis, Y.; Deshotel; Dutton; Faircloth; Farias; Farney; Farrar; Frank; Giddings; Gonzales; Gonzalez; Guerra; Guillen; Gutierrez; Harless; Hernandez; Howard; Huberty; Isaac; Israel; Johnson; King, S.; King, T.; Klick; Lozano; Lucio; Martinez; Martinez Fischer; McClendon; Minjarez; Moody; Morrison; Mun˜oz; Naishtat; Neva´rez; Oliveira; Pen˜a; Pickett; Raymond; Rodriguez, E.; Rodriguez, J.; Romero; Rose; Schofield; Sheets; Sheffield; Stephenson; Thompson, S.; Turner, C.; Turner, S.; VanDeaver; Vo; White, J.; Workman; Wu; Zerwas.

Nays — Anderson, R.; Bell; Bohac; Bonnen, D.; Bonnen, G.; Burns; Burrows; Button; Capriglione; Craddick; Dale; Elkins; Fletcher; Flynn; Galindo; Geren; Goldman; Kacal; Keffer; Keough; Koop; Krause; Landgraf; Larson; Leach; Metcalf; Meyer; Miller, D.; Miller, R.; Murphy; Murr; Paul; Phelan; Phillips; Price; Riddle; Rinaldi; Sanford; Schaefer; Shaheen; Simmons; Simpson; Smith; Spitzer; Springer; Stickland; Tinderholt; Turner, E.S.; Villalba; White, M.; Wray; Zedler.

Present, not voting — Mr. Speaker; Clardy; Kuempel(C).

Absent, Excused — Anchia; Cook; Dukes; Fallon; Frullo; Herrero; King, K.; King, P.; Laubenberg; Longoria; Ma´rquez; Miles; Otto; Raney; Reynolds; Smithee; Thompson, E.; Walle.

Absent — Ashby; Burkett; Crownover; Hughes; Hunter; Paddie; Parker;Schubert.

[Author's Note: Emphasis added to highlight how Republican members in close proximity to Travis County voted.]

Even Charlie Geren voted against this flaming bag of junk.

Bottom Line: The Senate rightfully killed this bill, but for a 'community schools' bill to pass the Texas House in the first place tells you everything you need to know about Texas House leadership.