Texas Lawmakers Ready To Tackle Important Issues In 83rd Legislature
By: Nick Ochsner
Updated: January 8, 2013
AUSTIN -- Texas lawmakers returned to work in with the start of the 83rd session of the Texas Legislature.
This year's class of freshmen is one of the largest in Texas history, but that won't stop the chamber from taking up important issues facing the Lone Star State.
"It kind of leaves you in awe when you kind of stand up there and take your oath, knowing you're going to represent your district, your area and your family and friends in the Legislature," said Former Texas House of Representatives Speaker Tom Craddick (R).
Craddick -- who's from Midland -- sat through his 20th opening session Tuesday.
"You're gonna have a lot of effect in the next several months on what's going to happen in Texas," said Craddick. "So, it's a major thing."
It's certainly not a new experience for Craddick, but it's one he says he always enjoys.
With Tuesday's swearing-in festivities over, it's time for Craddick and his colleagues to get to work.
"I'm doing the 'No Texting While Driving' bill again -- which I passed last session and the governor vetoed," said Craddick.
Lawmakers will most likely pass Craddick's texting bill again this year.
More Texas cities-- including many in West Texas -- are grappling with the issue of texting while driving.
However, Craddick and other legislative members all say the biggest issue they face this year is money.
"You've come off a gigantic budget deficit," said Craddick. "Even though we're gonna have more money this time, we're not gonna have enough to cover the problems from last time."
"I think now it's really healthy that we can come back with a little bit better budget outlook to make sure we can solve the problems of this state," added Senator Robert Duncan (R).
Duncan -- whose district includes Lubbock and Abilene -- says he expects talk of the state's $101 billion bank account to gravitate towards the issue of school funding.
"In public school finance, the rural areas of the state need to make sure they have advocates at the table to ensure rural schools have the same opportunities as suburban schools," said Duncan.
Even though education funding is a hot button issue -- Duncan says lawmakers won't actually take it up for months.
In fact, Duncan believes lawmakers will only tackle the issue after the courts rule on a bundle of lawsuits filed by rural districts looking for more cash.
That means that lawmakers will most likely get called back to the Texas Capitol for a special session later this year.
"I anticipate school finance will be solved in a special session," said Duncan. "Sometimes, that's a good thing."
Lawmakers will be assigned to committees on Wednesday, and the real work of the Texas legislature will likely pick up some time next week.
This year's class of freshmen is one of the largest in Texas history, but that won't stop the chamber from taking up important issues facing the Lone Star State.
"It kind of leaves you in awe when you kind of stand up there and take your oath, knowing you're going to represent your district, your area and your family and friends in the Legislature," said Former Texas House of Representatives Speaker Tom Craddick (R).
Craddick -- who's from Midland -- sat through his 20th opening session Tuesday.
"You're gonna have a lot of effect in the next several months on what's going to happen in Texas," said Craddick. "So, it's a major thing."
It's certainly not a new experience for Craddick, but it's one he says he always enjoys.
With Tuesday's swearing-in festivities over, it's time for Craddick and his colleagues to get to work.
"I'm doing the 'No Texting While Driving' bill again -- which I passed last session and the governor vetoed," said Craddick.
Lawmakers will most likely pass Craddick's texting bill again this year.
More Texas cities-- including many in West Texas -- are grappling with the issue of texting while driving.
However, Craddick and other legislative members all say the biggest issue they face this year is money.
"You've come off a gigantic budget deficit," said Craddick. "Even though we're gonna have more money this time, we're not gonna have enough to cover the problems from last time."
"I think now it's really healthy that we can come back with a little bit better budget outlook to make sure we can solve the problems of this state," added Senator Robert Duncan (R).
Duncan -- whose district includes Lubbock and Abilene -- says he expects talk of the state's $101 billion bank account to gravitate towards the issue of school funding.
"In public school finance, the rural areas of the state need to make sure they have advocates at the table to ensure rural schools have the same opportunities as suburban schools," said Duncan.
Even though education funding is a hot button issue -- Duncan says lawmakers won't actually take it up for months.
In fact, Duncan believes lawmakers will only tackle the issue after the courts rule on a bundle of lawsuits filed by rural districts looking for more cash.
That means that lawmakers will most likely get called back to the Texas Capitol for a special session later this year.
"I anticipate school finance will be solved in a special session," said Duncan. "Sometimes, that's a good thing."
Lawmakers will be assigned to committees on Wednesday, and the real work of the Texas legislature will likely pick up some time next week.
