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Senator Kel Seliger

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Senator Kel Seliger From the Office of Senator Kel Seliger Monday, January 29, 2007 Volume 2, Number 1 In This Issue • A Message from Kel Seliger Greetings from the • Major Issues for the 80th Legislature Texas Legislature! • Upcoming Legislative Goals To the Constituents of Senate District 31: It is a true honor to be entrusted with representing the citizens of District 31 in the Texas Senate, and I am glad to be able to continue to serve you in the 80th Legislature. The regular session is already underway, and there are a number of critical issues that the Legislature will be addressing, from property appraisal reform to illegal immigration. I am enthusiastic about continuing my service as Vice-Chair of the Senate Committee on Criminal Justice, as our state prisons continue to face crisis capacity issues. I have also been re-appointed to the Senate Committee on Natural Resources, a committee that encompasses the largest number of issues important to the citizens of District 31, including agriculture, water, and oil and gas. In addition, I have also been appointed to serve on the Administration and International Relations and Trade Committees, and I hope to make meaningful contributions to both of those panels as well. As someone who lives and works in the District, your thoughts and opinions regarding matters that affect your communities are essential to helping me best represent you. I encourage you to contact me or visit any of my offices during the legislative session. Your participation in the Senate District 31 is made up of Andrews, legislative process is vital and assures my success in serving you. Bailey, Cochran, Crane, Dallam, Deaf Smith, Ector, Gaines, Glasscock, Hansford, Sincerely, Hartley, Hemphill, Howard, Hutchinson, Lipscomb, Martin, Midland, Moore, Ochiltree, Oldham, Parmer, Potter, Randall, Roberts, Sherman and Yoakum Counties. Kel Seliger Major Issues for the 80th Legislature Appropriations and Spending. The Comptroller recently reported to the Legislature that larger-than-expected state tax receipts have generated $14.3 billion in new money available for the fiscal year 2008-09 budget. However, with the Legislature's approval of approximately $7 billion in property tax relief and increased education funding during the last special session, the state has significant spending obligations to meet. Other Contact Us funding priorities include funding for increased caseloads for Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program and other services that were State Capitol Office cut as a result of the $10 billion shortfall the state faced back in 2003. P.O. Box 12068 The Legislature must now decide whether to spend the surplus on state Austin, TX 78711 services, provide additional property tax relief, or take other action. (512) 463-0131 FAX: (512) 475-3733 Illegal Immigration. This topic is expected to be heavily debated this session, as legislators consider a number of proposals, including Amarillo District Office legislation concerned with access to public 410 S. Taylor, Suite 1600 benefits, voting requirements, college tuition Amarillo, TX 79101 and identification. Along with Governor Perry's effort, there will likely also be P.O. Box 9155 proposals to enhance the role of state and Amarillo, TX 79105 local law enforcement in securing our (806) 374-8994 borders, in cooperation with federal FAX: (806) 374-4607 immigration law. I believe that key decisions must be made to ensure border security and the documentation of immigrants into Texas while adhering to and observing federal regulations. Midland-Odessa District Office Water. Water will continue to be an overarching policy issue 1400 N. FM 1788 throughout the coming session, particularly in relation to groundwater Midland, TX 79707 management and reuse. With limited water (432) 563-0031 resources in the Panhandle and Permian Basin, it FAX: (432) 563-0653 is imperative that we continue our work toward meeting the desired future conditions of our Big Spring District Office aquifers while at the same time, utilizing our 401 Austin, Suite 101 available surface water in the most efficient and Big Spring, TX 79720 effective ways. In addition, we absolutely must (432) 268-9909 commit to protecting our limited water resources FAX: (432) 268-9899 so that future generations will also have the opportunity to prosper in West Texas. Email: Criminal Justice. Overcrowding in prisons will likely be addressed [email protected] this session through means other than building new infrastructure. The Legislature www.seliger.senate.state.tx.us will consider funding substance abuse and alcohol treatment with an additional $150 million dollars. Treatment programs were cut drastically as a result of the $10 billion shortfall in 2003. Restoring those cuts and committing additional resources to treatment programs, which have proven to reduce recidivism, would be a cost effective and practical way to reduce our prison population and increase public safety. Additional reforms will likely take place within the parole and probation systems to emphasize early release for good behavior and low-risk offenders. Upcoming Legislative Goals End of Course Exams. I intend to file legislation to replace the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test at the high school level with end-of-course exams based on the recommended curriculum. Too much classroom time is devoted to preparing for and taking the TAKS test, and it has become an ineffective measure of what Texas students should be learning at each grade level. Furthermore, valuable classroom time is wasted reviewing previous grade levels and course material, and too much time is dedicated to learning test taking techniques. This is stressful for both teachers and students and takes away from time that could be spent focusing on course curriculum. This bill represents an attempt to move away from high-stakes testing and reduce the amount of classroom time spent on TAKS preparation. It requires an end-of-course exam Helpful Links to be administered in each course at the high school level in each of the four core subjects: Texas Legislature Online Math, Science, Social Studies and English. www.capitol.state.tx.us Each exam would count for a portion of the student's overall course grade, and a Texas Senate cumulative mastery of each subject qualifies students for graduation in place www.senate.state.tx.us of an exit exam. I am encouraged by the positive feedback I have received from the education community on this framework, and I look forward to working Texas House of Representatives with Senate Education Chair Florence Shapiro to replace our current system www.house.state.tx.us with one that incentivizes both teachers and students and produces an environment in which learning can thrive. Office of Governor Rick Perry Mayoral Succession. I plan to file a bill that would allow a city www.governor.state.tx.us council to appoint one of their own to serve as mayor in the event of a vacancy in that position. Cities have long held a belief that current law Comptroller of Public Accounts allows such a practice, but a recent legal opinion suggests otherwise. I www.window.state.tx.us believe that city council members should be entrusted to fill a vacancy with the best possible and most qualified candidate. Indigent Defense for Capital Cases. This legislation will amend the minimum qualifications for attorneys representing defendants in death Dates of Interest penalty cases at trial and on appeal. Setting the different standards for appellate counsel in death penalty cases will allow greater specialization in Tuesday, January 9, 2007 representation in death penalty cases and enable highly skilled appellate 80th Legislature convened at noon attorneys to represent defendants on appeal without having to meet the current trial requirements. It will also provide for review of permanent bans Friday, March 9, 2007 on attorneys who have ever had an ineffective assistance of counsel finding Deadline for filing bills and joint resolutions against them in a capital case. other than local bills, emergency appropriations, and bills that have been declared an emergency by the governor Monday, May 28, 2007 Last day of 80th Regular Session Sunday, June 17, 2007 Last day governor can sign or veto bills passed during the previous legislative session Monday, August 27, 2007 Date that bills without specific effective dates become law .
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