As many of you have shared with me, transportation funding is one of the biggest issues we are facing this legislative session.  TxDOT currently needs $5 billion additional dollars just to maintain our current infrastructure.  The legislature, with your approval of Proposition 1 last November, has made great strides toward fully funding our transportation needs. Recently, the House passed H.B. 20, which would provide TxDOT with direct criteria for how to spend that money.  H.B. 20 requires TxDOT to use an unbiased scoring system when evaluating projects, and sets up oversight committees to review TxDOT's plans and make sure that they are being good stewards of our tax dollars.

This week the House took steps to reform the Texas Emerging Technology Fund.  You may have read some criticisms of investments made by the Fund.  The House passed H.B. 26, which would dissolve the Emerging Technology Fund and transfer the majority of its assets to a fund that Gov. Abbott could use to promote research at Texas universities. H.B. 26 also creates a board to oversee all of the discretionary economic incentive programs under the Governor, Comptroller, and Agriculture Commissioner.

The House passed a measure that would restrict the ability of payday and title loan lenders to telemarket.  Through a loophole in state law, these lenders were able to make unsolicited calls pushing their high fee, high interest loans.  The House bill, which I hope the Senate will pass as well, closes the loophole and prevents payday and title lenders from making these telemarketing calls.

I am pleased to report that I passed H.B. 1123, which would increase the penalties for child pornography offenses.  Unfortunately, Harrison County has seen two recent cases that underscore the necessity to make sure that our prosecutors have every tool necessary to combat this heinous crime.  H.B. 1123 would make possession a second degree felony, while promotion of child pornography would be enhanced to a first degree felony.  Further, those convicted would have to serve half of their sentence before becoming eligible for parole.  I look forward to the Senate passing H.B. 1123 and giving our prosecutors better tools for protecting our children.

As the legislative session continues, I want to encourage you to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. I want to hear your opinion regarding the issues that are important to you. It is with your input that I am able to best represent you. My office number is 512-463-0556 or district9.paddie@house.state.tx.us.