Last week was a big one in the Texas House with the House addressing issues ranging from education and testing reform to tort reform and pension system reform.

 

This past week, the House debated and passed HB 1774, which will serve to help stem the lawsuit abuses that we see in the wake of large scale hail storms.  These often frivolous claims clog our courts with unnecessary cases that could be settled between the parties and drives up the cost of insurance for all Texans.  The Senate has passed legislation similar to HB 1774 and I look forward to moving this measure to the governor for his signature.

 

The House also passed SJR 2, which calls for a Constitutional convention.  With the passage of SJR 2, Texas will join several other states in calling for a Constitutional convention with the aim of reigning in the runaway federal government.  We also passed SB 21 which would dictate the qualifications and duties of Texas' delegates should a Constitutional convention be called.  

 

The House also passed HB 1449, which would prevent cities from implementing linkage fees.  While you may not have heard of linkage fees, they are being implanted in liberal cities, ironically as a way to pay for affordable housing.  Linkage fees are a tax, based on the square footage of new or remodeled construction.  Los Angeles has a linkage fee of $12 per square foot on new residential construction.  Seattle has enacted linkage fees as high as $17.50.  While linkage fees are not widespread in their current use, it is best to prevent these "affordability taxes" than to have to end them once you are already paying them.

 

Last week, the House also passed HB 22 which reforms our school rating system and HB 515 which reforms our testing system.  HB 22 reforms the controversial A-F rating system that has created confusion for our schools.  HB 22 would simplify the rating system and would limit the disproportionate impact that high stakes testing had in the previous system.  

 

With regards to high stakes testing, which is bemoaned by parents, students and teachers alike, HB 515 takes Texas to the federally required level of testing, removing several unnecessary and time consuming tests for our schools.  This should allow our teachers to teach and our students to learn instead of having to spend excessive amounts of time preparing for tests.

 

These issues are just a few of the many that are being considered in the final weeks of the legislative session.  It is great to hear from so many of you, either supporting or opposing all kinds of legislation.  It is with your input that I am able to best represent you as we finish the 85th Legislative session.  I would also encourage you to contact me if you are receiving suspect information from outside groups.  If there is an issue that you want to make me aware of, please contact me at 512-463-0556 or district9.paddie@house.texas.gov.