2009 Parker Newsletter.Pdf

Parker Committee Assignments PRSRT STD U.S. Postage STATE REPRESENTATIVE PAID Representing Denton County through two key appointments Austin, Texas Tan Parker Permit 2803 Technology, Economic Pensions, Investments and P.O. Box 2910 Official Business Austin, Texas 78768-2910 STATE of TEXAS State Penalty Development and Financial Services Committee For Private Use Workforce Committee I was appointed to the Pensions, Investments, and Financial Services Committee, which oversees Texas’ public pensions, The Texas House of Representatives elected to create this new banking, securities, and investment systems. Due to the committee in order to have a venue that focuses on enhancing timing of the national economic recession, this committee State Representative economic activity, technology’s role in our current economy, Tan Parker was of upmost importance in the 81st Legislative Session. and workforce readiness. I was honored to have been appointed Vice-Chairman of this Our efforts were focused LEGISLATIVE REPORT FALL 2009 critical committee, serving on promoting measures as its second highest ranking that would foster a healthy member. economic climate for the state. With committee dis- Specifically, this commit- P.O. Box 2910 800 Parker Square, Suite 245 cussions ranging from the Austin, TX 78768-2910 Flower Mound, Texas 75028 tee explores ways for Texas (512) 463-0688 (972) 724-8477 solvency of the pensions [email protected] to expand its skilled work- system to the ability of our force and retain a strong banking system to support job base that will continue The State of Texas the needs of Texas busi- to attract Fortune 500 S T A T E R E P R E S E N T A T I V E House of Representatives nesses, this appointment companies as well as small J J District 63 afforded me the opportu- businesses to the Lone Star Dear Fellow Texan: nity to leverage my pro- State. As Vice Chair, I am fessional background to tan paRkeR Thank you for the opportunity to represent you in the Texas House of Representatives. It is an honor able to use my experience serve Texas in these critical and privilege to serve Denton County. I am eager to update you on the 81st Legislative Session’s as a previous Chairman of areas. The committee also the Texas Industrial De- accomplishments and how recently enacted legislation may affect you. While we cannot cover every issue worked diligently to pass velopment Corporation in this newsletter, I am always ready to discuss any issue or idea that the residents of District 63 have to legislation that will protect to develop new economic LegisLative improve our way of life and the prosperity of this great state. homeowners from mort- policies for Texas. Vice Chairman Parker listens to testimony before the Technology, Economic Development and Workforce Committee gage fraud. With many changes taking place on the national front, the State Legislature tackled new issues during the session that required both innovative thought and sound public policy solutions. In the 81st Legislative RepoRt session, the Texas Legislature produced a fiscally conservative budget, provided tax relief to small businesses, Visiting With Your State Representative passed appraisal reforms, funded disaster relief efforts, and created new educational opportunities. We dealt with issues such as the H1N1 virus and the stimulus funds from the federal government. In addition, In addition to being able to contact the district office to schedule a meeting at anytime, I also host I passed several bills to promote our shared values. on the first Saturday of every month open office hours from 8 - 10 am for constituents to come in without an appointment and discuss any matters important to them. Although Texas made significant headway on important matters, there is still much work to be done to ensure our continued prosperity. During the next 15 months, I will be out in the community hosting town hall events, visiting with Denton County residents, and attending monthly coffee gatherings at my Open Office Hours district office where we can talk one-on-one about the First Saturday of every month, 8 - 10am challenges we face together as a district and a state. on t orget to ote in the pcoming 800 Parker Square, Suite 245 D ’ F V U What makes Texas so unique is its hard working and Flower Mound, Texas 75028 constitUtional amenDment election! engaged citizens. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you in the Texas House of Representatives. Town Hall Event Early Voting: October 19th - 30th Best Wishes, Also, join Representative Parker for a community town hall event in Flower Election Day: November 3rd Mound at the Flower Mound public library on November 4th from 6 - 9pm. For information on each proposition, please visit: Tan Parker Rep. Parker with his daughters, Lauren and www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/2009novballotexp.shtml State Representative Ashley, at the swearing in ceremony

The Texas House of Representatives is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, Tan Parker Legislative Report 5 Fall 2009 age or disability in employment or the provision of services. This newsletter is available in alternate formats upon request. Please call 1-800-241-1163. Tan Parker Legislative Report 1 Fall 2009 Accomplishments of the 81st Legislature Additional Accomplishments New Laws Authored By Representative Parker The 81st Legislature saw several key victories on many fronts. We brought forth many meaningful reforms to our public In addition to the before mentioned accomplishments, here is a quick look at other victories Texas can take from the 81st session: This session I was fortunate enough to author a bill package that reflects our shared priorities for Texas’ future. school system and our systems of higher education. Through many hours of debate, we crafted a sound state budget, lowered Here are a few highlights of the successful legislation I recently authored during the 81st session: business taxes and invested more resources into strengthening our state’s economy. Here is a closer look. • Passed the following important reforms to the appraisal • Passed a proposed Constitutional amendment process to help property taxpayers: expediting the that strengthens property protections in the Texas State Budget Public Education and arbitration process, creating certain restrictions on Constitution to prevent government from taking Expanding Local Economic Preventing Child Sexual Abuse Your Legislature passed a state budget that responsibly limited the appraisal increases after a successful appeal, ensuring private property unless it is for a legitimate public use. Higher Education Development Options Inspired by Jenna Quinn, a community leader for child growth of spending to less than what is necessary to compensate residential property is appraised only as a homestead, The Legislature invested an additional $1.9 billion in • Recognized the service of Texas’ completely disabled HB 3378 (adopted in its Senate version, SB 2052) will help sexual abuse prevention, House Bill 1041 directs school for population growth and inflation while decreasing general and establishing uniform appraisal standards. public education without raising or creating any new taxes. veterans by providing them with a full exemption on districts to include a child sexual abuse policy in their revenue spending by 1.9 percent. Texas’ rainy day fund was promote further economic development by allowing local This new funding will be put to use in a variety of ways, • Provided $113.2 million in funding for the state’s border their local property taxes. school handbook and district improvement plan. House left untouched, leaving an estimated $9.1 billion in savings communities more flexibility in how they can invest 4B including an across the board teacher pay raise, an increase security and gang strategy, including Bill 1041 seeks to raise much needed awareness as to the to address any potential future budget shortfalls during this economic development dollars. in school district academic funding by $120 per Weighted resources for local district attorneys, signs of child sexual abuse so that abused children may be uncertain economic period. I am proud to be a part of the Average Daily Attendance, and a further reduction in the additional local law enforcement, Texas identified and receive the immediate help they need. continued tradition of fiscal conservatism that responsibly meets dependency on Robin Hood for public school funding. State Troopers, and Texas Military our state’s needs without burdening Texans with a state budget Saving Taxpayer Dollars The Legislature took a strong stand for college readiness by Forces. that reaches beyond our capabilities. Other highlights of the By consolidating local option elections for specially created passing legislation that applies college-ready standards to the Strengthening Lake Safety 2010 - 2011 budget include: • Further protecting Texas homeowners state’s K-12 curriculum and aligns end of course exams with municipal service districts into one uniform election date, by requiring the licensing of individuals With boating fatalities and injuries on the rise, House Bill • $35 million to bring more qualified nurses to our higher education expectations. School districts will also be House Bill 2228 will cut down on election costs and free engaged in mortgage lending, providing 3108 establishes an advisory committee that will conduct hospitals; incentivized to encourage more high school students to take up more local tax dollars to be used in other areas of public clear and broad authority for the state an interim study on boating safety and report its findings college classes by exempting school districts from paying need. • $421 million for one-time bonuses for the state to investigate violations of the SAFE to the Legislature prior to the start of the 82nd Legislative tuition for dual credit courses. workforce, teachers and retired teachers; Act and, if necessary, granting the Session. This legislation is intended to halt the increasing • $2 billion for new highway construction as well as reducing The Legislature also continued to invest in education through state authority to revoke the license of Improving the Adoption Process number of lake recreational activity accidents and make diversions from the state highway fund, providing an the $1.2 billion allocated toward higher education in Texas. mortgage lenders. our public lakes safer places for our family and friends to As a strong advocate for decreasing the number additional $378 million for road construction and These dollars will be focused toward promoting another Tier • Expanded Texas’ Sales Tax Holiday enjoy. of children in state custody and increasing the maintenance; and One university, increasing student financial assistance and to weekend to now include such school number of adoptions in Texas, I authored give every public university an across the board 3.6 percent supplies as: pencils, paper, binders, • $782 million to implement a comprehensive state water HB 2225 which creates an Adoption Review increase in academic funding. rulers, highlighters and other classroom plan that will make sure that our growing water needs Committee. Nine adoption experts will necessities. are met well into Texas’ future. meet over the next two years to study the Strengthening Our • Increased oversight and accountability of adoption process in Texas and find solutions to state schools and community-based care inefficiencies in order to improve the current Rep. Parker discusses the state budget with Exempting Small Businesses From State’s Economy for the protection of intellectually and system and move more children out of foster Appropriations Committee member John Zerwas the Business Franchise Tax The 81st Legislature also put a great emphasis on continuing developmentally disabled residents. care and into permanent homes. sound economic decisions that will help Texas continue to Fiscal responsibility did not end with the state budget. weather this national downturn. We increased funding for Through legislation that I co-authored, the small business the Skills Development Fund by more than $30 million to exemption to the business franchise tax was more than tripled Rep. Parker advocates for a bill from his legislative fund grants for public community or technical colleges and from $300,000 to $1 million for fiscal years 2010 and 2011. package before the entire House of Representatives employers who provide customized job training in targeted This exemption increase will provide immediate tax relief industries and specialized occupations. to the backbone of our state’s economy. The Comptroller estimates that this legislation will free an additional 40,000 Additionally, the Legislature provided an additional $20 small businesses in Texas from the franchise tax. million for the Texas Enterprise Fund, creating $200 million in economic development funding to help close deals in the nation’s most successful job creation initiative. We also Interesting Facts About the Texas Legislature invested an additional $94 million for the Emerging Technology Fund to support Research Superiority • Texas has a bi-cameral system of government with our • Between both legislative bodies, 7,419 bills were filed Acquisition Awards, Commercialization Awards, and Legislature consisting of a House of Representatives and during the 81st Legislative Session and only 1,424 were Matching Awards through the state’s institutions of a Senate, each an elected body. actually adopted into law. higher education. And finally, we increased funding • The Texas Legislature meets once every two years for 140 • The 181 men and women who serve in the Legislature for the state’s film incentive program which will attract consecutive days. are considered “part time” public servants, meaning most more feature film and television production projects • The first elected Texas House of Representatives had just also work in many other professions. to Texas that will create new jobs. 29 members, with there being a constitutionally capped • 43 women serve in either the House of Representatives 150 members today. or Senate, up 20 percent in just 4 years. • Before a bill becomes law, identical bill language must • The youngest member of the Texas House of Rep. Parker discusses the need for reduced business taxes with be passed by both legislative bodies and then signed into Representatives is 28 and its oldest member is 85. Governor Perry and former House Speaker Tom Craddick Rep. Parker tours the Texas/Mexico border to assess first hand where additional border security funding is best put to use law by the Governor.

Tan Parker Legislative Report 2 Fall 2009 Tan Parker Legislative Report 3 Fall 2009 Tan Parker Legislative Report 4 Fall 2009 Accomplishments of the 81st Legislature Additional Accomplishments New Laws Authored By Representative Parker The 81st Legislature saw several key victories on many fronts. We brought forth many meaningful reforms to our public In addition to the before mentioned accomplishments, here is a quick look at other victories Texas can take from the 81st session: This session I was fortunate enough to author a bill package that reflects our shared priorities for Texas’ future. school system and our systems of higher education. Through many hours of debate, we crafted a sound state budget, lowered Here are a few highlights of the successful legislation I recently authored during the 81st session: business taxes and invested more resources into strengthening our state’s economy. Here is a closer look. • Passed the following important reforms to the appraisal • Passed a proposed Constitutional amendment process to help property taxpayers: expediting the that strengthens property protections in the Texas State Budget Public Education and arbitration process, creating certain restrictions on Constitution to prevent government from taking Expanding Local Economic Preventing Child Sexual Abuse Your Legislature passed a state budget that responsibly limited the appraisal increases after a successful appeal, ensuring private property unless it is for a legitimate public use. Higher Education Development Options Inspired by Jenna Quinn, a community leader for child growth of spending to less than what is necessary to compensate residential property is appraised only as a homestead, The Legislature invested an additional $1.9 billion in • Recognized the service of Texas’ completely disabled HB 3378 (adopted in its Senate version, SB 2052) will help sexual abuse prevention, House Bill 1041 directs school for population growth and inflation while decreasing general and establishing uniform appraisal standards. public education without raising or creating any new taxes. veterans by providing them with a full exemption on districts to include a child sexual abuse policy in their revenue spending by 1.9 percent. Texas’ rainy day fund was promote further economic development by allowing local This new funding will be put to use in a variety of ways, • Provided $113.2 million in funding for the state’s border their local property taxes. school handbook and district improvement plan. House left untouched, leaving an estimated $9.1 billion in savings communities more flexibility in how they can invest 4B including an across the board teacher pay raise, an increase security and gang strategy, including Bill 1041 seeks to raise much needed awareness as to the to address any potential future budget shortfalls during this economic development dollars. in school district academic funding by $120 per Weighted resources for local district attorneys, signs of child sexual abuse so that abused children may be uncertain economic period. I am proud to be a part of the Average Daily Attendance, and a further reduction in the additional local law enforcement, Texas identified and receive the immediate help they need. continued tradition of fiscal conservatism that responsibly meets dependency on Robin Hood for public school funding. State Troopers, and Texas Military our state’s needs without burdening Texans with a state budget Saving Taxpayer Dollars The Legislature took a strong stand for college readiness by Forces. that reaches beyond our capabilities. Other highlights of the By consolidating local option elections for specially created passing legislation that applies college-ready standards to the Strengthening Lake Safety 2010 - 2011 budget include: • Further protecting Texas homeowners state’s K-12 curriculum and aligns end of course exams with municipal service districts into one uniform election date, by requiring the licensing of individuals With boating fatalities and injuries on the rise, House Bill • $35 million to bring more qualified nurses to our higher education expectations. School districts will also be House Bill 2228 will cut down on election costs and free engaged in mortgage lending, providing 3108 establishes an advisory committee that will conduct hospitals; incentivized to encourage more high school students to take up more local tax dollars to be used in other areas of public clear and broad authority for the state an interim study on boating safety and report its findings college classes by exempting school districts from paying need. • $421 million for one-time bonuses for the state to investigate violations of the SAFE to the Legislature prior to the start of the 82nd Legislative tuition for dual credit courses. workforce, teachers and retired teachers; Act and, if necessary, granting the Session. This legislation is intended to halt the increasing • $2 billion for new highway construction as well as reducing The Legislature also continued to invest in education through state authority to revoke the license of Improving the Adoption Process number of lake recreational activity accidents and make diversions from the state highway fund, providing an the $1.2 billion allocated toward higher education in Texas. mortgage lenders. our public lakes safer places for our family and friends to As a strong advocate for decreasing the number additional $378 million for road construction and These dollars will be focused toward promoting another Tier • Expanded Texas’ Sales Tax Holiday enjoy. of children in state custody and increasing the maintenance; and One university, increasing student financial assistance and to weekend to now include such school number of adoptions in Texas, I authored give every public university an across the board 3.6 percent supplies as: pencils, paper, binders, • $782 million to implement a comprehensive state water HB 2225 which creates an Adoption Review increase in academic funding. rulers, highlighters and other classroom plan that will make sure that our growing water needs Committee. Nine adoption experts will necessities. are met well into Texas’ future. meet over the next two years to study the Strengthening Our • Increased oversight and accountability of adoption process in Texas and find solutions to state schools and community-based care inefficiencies in order to improve the current Rep. Parker discusses the state budget with Exempting Small Businesses From State’s Economy for the protection of intellectually and system and move more children out of foster Appropriations Committee member John Zerwas the Business Franchise Tax The 81st Legislature also put a great emphasis on continuing developmentally disabled residents. care and into permanent homes. sound economic decisions that will help Texas continue to Fiscal responsibility did not end with the state budget. weather this national downturn. We increased funding for Through legislation that I co-authored, the small business the Skills Development Fund by more than $30 million to exemption to the business franchise tax was more than tripled Rep. Parker advocates for a bill from his legislative fund grants for public community or technical colleges and from $300,000 to $1 million for fiscal years 2010 and 2011. package before the entire House of Representatives employers who provide customized job training in targeted This exemption increase will provide immediate tax relief industries and specialized occupations. to the backbone of our state’s economy. The Comptroller estimates that this legislation will free an additional 40,000 Additionally, the Legislature provided an additional $20 small businesses in Texas from the franchise tax. million for the Texas Enterprise Fund, creating $200 million in economic development funding to help close deals in the nation’s most successful job creation initiative. We also Interesting Facts About the Texas Legislature invested an additional $94 million for the Emerging Technology Fund to support Research Superiority • Texas has a bi-cameral system of government with our • Between both legislative bodies, 7,419 bills were filed Acquisition Awards, Commercialization Awards, and Legislature consisting of a House of Representatives and during the 81st Legislative Session and only 1,424 were Matching Awards through the state’s institutions of a Senate, each an elected body. actually adopted into law. higher education. And finally, we increased funding • The Texas Legislature meets once every two years for 140 • The 181 men and women who serve in the Legislature for the state’s film incentive program which will attract consecutive days. are considered “part time” public servants, meaning most more feature film and television production projects • The first elected Texas House of Representatives had just also work in many other professions. to Texas that will create new jobs. 29 members, with there being a constitutionally capped • 43 women serve in either the House of Representatives 150 members today. or Senate, up 20 percent in just 4 years. • Before a bill becomes law, identical bill language must • The youngest member of the Texas House of Rep. Parker discusses the need for reduced business taxes with be passed by both legislative bodies and then signed into Representatives is 28 and its oldest member is 85. Governor Perry and former House Speaker Tom Craddick Rep. Parker tours the Texas/Mexico border to assess first hand where additional border security funding is best put to use law by the Governor.

Tan Parker Legislative Report 2 Fall 2009 Tan Parker Legislative Report 3 Fall 2009 Tan Parker Legislative Report 4 Fall 2009 Parker Committee Assignments PRSRT STD U.S. Postage STATE REPRESENTATIVE PAID Representing Denton County through two key appointments Austin, Texas Tan Parker Permit 2803 Technology, Economic Pensions, Investments and P.O. Box 2910 Official Business Austin, Texas 78768-2910 STATE of TEXAS State Penalty Development and Financial Services Committee For Private Use Workforce Committee I was appointed to the Pensions, Investments, and Financial Services Committee, which oversees Texas’ public pensions, The Texas House of Representatives elected to create this new banking, securities, and investment systems. Due to the committee in order to have a venue that focuses on enhancing timing of the national economic recession, this committee State Representative economic activity, technology’s role in our current economy, Tan Parker was of upmost importance in the 81st Legislative Session. and workforce readiness. I was honored to have been appointed Vice-Chairman of this Our efforts were focused LEGISLATIVE REPORT FALL 2009 critical committee, serving on promoting measures as its second highest ranking that would foster a healthy member. economic climate for the state. With committee dis- Specifically, this commit- P.O. Box 2910 800 Parker Square, Suite 245 cussions ranging from the Austin, TX 78768-2910 Flower Mound, Texas 75028 tee explores ways for Texas (512) 463-0688 (972) 724-8477 solvency of the pensions [email protected] to expand its skilled work- system to the ability of our force and retain a strong banking system to support job base that will continue The State of Texas the needs of Texas busi- to attract Fortune 500 S T A T E R E P R E S E N T A T I V E House of Representatives nesses, this appointment companies as well as small J J District 63 afforded me the opportu- businesses to the Lone Star Dear Fellow Texan: nity to leverage my pro- State. As Vice Chair, I am fessional background to tan paRkeR Thank you for the opportunity to represent you in the Texas House of Representatives. It is an honor able to use my experience serve Texas in these critical and privilege to serve Denton County. I am eager to update you on the 81st Legislative Session’s as a previous Chairman of areas. The committee also the Texas Industrial De- accomplishments and how recently enacted legislation may affect you. While we cannot cover every issue worked diligently to pass velopment Corporation in this newsletter, I am always ready to discuss any issue or idea that the residents of District 63 have to legislation that will protect to develop new economic LegisLative improve our way of life and the prosperity of this great state. homeowners from mort- policies for Texas. Vice Chairman Parker listens to testimony before the Technology, Economic Development and Workforce Committee gage fraud. With many changes taking place on the national front, the State Legislature tackled new issues during the session that required both innovative thought and sound public policy solutions. In the 81st Legislative RepoRt session, the Texas Legislature produced a fiscally conservative budget, provided tax relief to small businesses, Visiting With Your State Representative passed appraisal reforms, funded disaster relief efforts, and created new educational opportunities. We dealt with issues such as the H1N1 virus and the stimulus funds from the federal government. In addition, In addition to being able to contact the district office to schedule a meeting at anytime, I also host I passed several bills to promote our shared values. on the first Saturday of every month open office hours from 8 - 10 am for constituents to come in without an appointment and discuss any matters important to them. Although Texas made significant headway on important matters, there is still much work to be done to ensure our continued prosperity. During the next 15 months, I will be out in the community hosting town hall events, visiting with Denton County residents, and attending monthly coffee gatherings at my Open Office Hours district office where we can talk one-on-one about the First Saturday of every month, 8 - 10am challenges we face together as a district and a state. on t orget to ote in the pcoming 800 Parker Square, Suite 245 D ’ F V U What makes Texas so unique is its hard working and Flower Mound, Texas 75028 constitUtional amenDment election! engaged citizens. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you in the Texas House of Representatives. Town Hall Event Early Voting: October 19th - 30th Best Wishes, Also, join Representative Parker for a community town hall event in Flower Election Day: November 3rd Mound at the Flower Mound public library on November 4th from 6 - 9pm. For information on each proposition, please visit: Tan Parker Rep. Parker with his daughters, Lauren and www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/2009novballotexp.shtml State Representative Ashley, at the swearing in ceremony