Texas Senate

Subject: Anti-Taxpayer, Senate Joint Resolution 56 (SJR 56)

• Author: State Sen. Charles Schwertner (R-Georgetown)
• TFR Position: Oppose
• Background: SJR 56 seeks to raise the cap on the Emergency Stabilization Fund (ESF), also known as the “Rainy Day Fund” to 15% of general revenue, up from its current cap of 10%. The fund is already projected to reach $25 billion and reach its cap in the next few years. The ESF has been used by lawmakers previously as a sort of slush fund to supplement budget shortfalls and per projects, beyond its intended purpose, so allowing even more money beyond its current cap would presumably allow a larger slush fund. Instead of allowing the fund to grow, lawmakers should practice fiscal responsibility and give taxpayers’ money back to them. For these reasons, TFR opposes SJR 56.

Subject: Anti-Taxpayer, Senate Joint Resolution 74 (SJR 74)

• Author: State Sen. Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound)
• TFR Position: Oppose
• Background: SJR 74 proposes a constitutional amendment to create the centennial parks conservation fund. Ultimately SJR 74 seeks to provide for a dedicated funding source for both the ability to buy and maintain state parks. Texas already has enough public land, and we certainly should not be in the business of buying up even more. Instead, tax dollars should be given back to taxpayers, so they in turn can buy more land. For these reasons, TFR opposes SJR 74.

Subject: Anti-Taxpayer, Senate Bill 1648 (SB 1648)

• Author: State Sen. Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound)
• TFR Position: Oppose
• Background: SB 1648 is the enabling legislation for SJR 74. SB 1648 seeks to create the centennial parks conservation fund and provide for a dedicated funding source for both the ability to buy and maintain state parks. Texas already has enough public land, and we certainly should not be in the business of buying up even more. Instead, tax dollars should be given back to taxpayers, so they in turn can buy more land. For these reasons, TFR opposes SB 1648.

Subject: Pro-Taxpayer, Senate Bill 561 (SB 561)

• Author: State Sen. Kevin Sparks (R-Midland)
• TFR Position: Support
• Background: SB 561 seeks to prohibit political subdivisions in Texas from issuing debt to buy or lease tangible personal property if the property’s usability will end before the debt matures. Although not a big difference maker in local debt, this bill would at least prevent certain purchases and help reign in ever-increasing local debt. For this reason, TFR supports SB 561.

Subject: Corporate Welfare, Senate Bill 627 (SB 627)

• Author: State Sen. José Menéndez (D-San Antonio)
• TFR Position: Oppose
• Background: SB 627 seeks to allow for the subsidization of convention center projects in certain cities. Corporate welfare is opposed to the idea of free market enterprise and the philosophy should be abandoned and replaced with instead with lowering regulation and taxes. The government picking winners and losers through “incentives” only hurt free enterprise and stifles competition. For this reason, TFR opposes SB 627.

Subject: Burdensome Regulation, Senate Bill 876 (SB 876)

• Author: State Sen. Pete Flores (R-Pleasanton)
• TFR Position: Oppose
• Background: SB 876 seeks to expand government regulation of breeders. SB 876 would lower the limit to include very small-scale breeders and is a clear example of government overreach. This type of regulation is opposed to free enterprise and serves to hassle small business owners that operate very small breeding operations. TFR is opposed to occupational licensing and the expansion of regulation in any industry. For these reasons, TFR opposes SB 876.

Texas House of Representatives

Subject: Medicaid Expansion for Post-Partum Women, House Bill 12 (HB 12)

• Author: State Rep. Toni Rose (D-Dallas)
• TFR Position: Oppose
• Background: HB 12 seeks to require that the Texas Health & Human Services Commission (HHSC) continue Medicaid coverage to women who were enrolled during a pregnancy for at least 12 months, post-partum. HB 12 also requires that the Executive Commissioner of HHSC seek a state Medicaid plan amendment. Though it is claimed that the extension of these services would address maternal death cases and help prevent pregnancy-related deaths, the fiscal note for HB 12 estimates it will cost nearly $147 million through the next biennium and between $70 to $80 million every year thereafter, while expanding caseload. Instead of expanding Medicaid services, the Texas Legislature should be focused on creating an environment where Texans are not driven to these social safety nets, to begin with, and once on them, pathways off of them. For these reasons, TFR opposes HB 12.

Reminder: Vote Notices are provided to both Texas state lawmakers and the general public in advance of Texans for Fiscal Responsibility’s position on issues to be rated as part of the Fiscal Responsibility Index prior to votes being taken in each legislative chamber.

Disclaimer: We reserve the right to consider amendments to legislation that may be introduced without notice as a part of issues to be rated as part of the Fiscal Responsibility Index. We will make every effort to provide notice on amendments that are pre-filed