Stalwart Strategies is pleased to offer you an easy-to-navigate brief of the week’s activity inside state government, noteworthy items for the upcoming week, and other important news.
News In State Government
Governor:
86th Session Recap: There were a total of 59 bills vetoed by Governor Greg Abbott and 1323 signed, most notably was the budget bill which he signed without changes. To view all signed and vetoed legislation click the links.
Texas Celebrates Beer-To-Go Sales: The Office of Governor Greg Abbott released a web video highlighting legislation recently signed that will allow beer-to-go sales throughout Texas and extends the life of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for ten more years. The Governor signed the legislation over the weekend at Austin Beerworks. Click here to view the video.
Railroad Commission:
Christian Elected Chairman of the Railroad Commission: At an open meeting of the Railroad Commission of Texas, Commissioner Wayne Christian was unanimously elected Chairman. Click here to read the full news release.
Sunset Commission:
Agencies Under Review in 2021: To see a list of agencies under scrutiny by the Sunset Commission during the 2020 - 2021 cycle click here.
Other News
State News:
2019: The Best and Worst Legislators: In explaining how no one person in the Legislature deserves credit for passage of the big school finance and property tax plan this year, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick inadvertently summed up the problem we at Texas Monthly had in choosing the Best and Worst Legislators: “This was a session of no individual standing out or standing up.” Click here to read the full Texas Monthly article.
Abbott Signs Budget Without Changing a Thing: Gov. Greg Abbott, in a break from past practice, signed lawmakers’ budget on Saturday without changing a thing. Click here to read the full Denton Record Chronicle article.
Abbott Kills What He Says are Some Good Bills Gone Bad: Gov. Greg Abbott issued 51 vetoes Saturday ahead of Sunday’s deadline (58 total vetoes), putting the kibosh on some popular bills that he thought well-intended but either unnecessary, intrusive or fraught with potentially unintended consequences. Click here to read the full Statesman article.
With Power Outages, Why is Texas Waiting to Write the Rules on Battery Storage?: There is one fundamentally frustrating characteristic of electricity that we modern people struggle to understand, an issue we cry over every time the power goes out, that we shake our heads over when we talk about renewables. That is, electricity cannot be stored. Click here to read the full Dallas Morning News article.
Report Lists I-45 Rebuild Project Among Nation’s Biggest Highway Boondoggles: A massive remake of Interstate 45 from downtown Houston north to the Sam Houston Tollway that would be among the largest road projects in the region’s history also is one of the nation’s biggest highway boondoggles, according to an updated list released Tuesday.Click here to read the full Houston Chronicle article.
Texas Lawmakers Crack Down on ‘Surprise Medical Bills,’ Tighten Rules on Freestanding ERs: Under several new state laws, Texas patients could get relief from surprise medical bills and unscrupulous emergency care clinics. Subscribers may click here to read the full San Antonio Express News article.
Survey: Texas Second-Most Popular State Educated Workers are Moving to: It’s no secret that people are moving to Austin in droves. But according to a new analysis by Magnify Money, it’s not just the Texas state capital that is benefiting from an influx of highly educated workers – it’s the entire state. Click here to read the full Statesman article.
Laura Bush-Supported Plan Helps Galveston Bay Oyster Beds: A program meant to help restore storm-battered Galveston Bay oyster beds has gained support from a statewide conservation initiative founded by former first lady Laura Bush. Subscribers canclick here to view the Houston Chronicle article.
Texas Tech Receives $17 Million to Build the State’s Second Vet School: The Legislature designated the funding for the Amarillo campus over objections of Texas A&M University, which currently runs the only veterinary medicine school in the state. Click here to read the full Texas Tribune article.
Southern Farmers Reckon with Push to Raise Tobacco-Buying Age: Faced with declining U.S. cigarette consumption, along with an increasingly competitive international market, tobacco farmers in southern states such as Kentucky, North Carolina and Virginia are bracing for the potential impact of a federal Tobacco 21, or “T-21,” bill. Nearly 500 cities have passed similar legislation including Texas. Click here to read the full Stateline article.
Yet Another Rural Texas Hospital is in Jeopardy After Anti-Tax Activists Kill Funding Proposal: As rural hospitals struggle across the state, local voters killed a proposition to create a hospital taxing district meant to keep a facility in La Grange open for the foreseeable future. Click here to read the full Observer article.
National News:
San Francisco Moves Closer to Nation’s 1st E-Cigarette Ban: San Francisco supervisors moved a step closer Tuesday to becoming the first city in the U.S. to ban all sales of electronic cigarettes to crack down on youth vaping. Subscribers can click here to read the full Houston Chronicle article.
Mark Your Calendars
Dates to Note:
Fundraising Reception for Senator Beverly Powell
June 21, 2019
10:30 AM - Austin Club, Austin, TX
Fundraising Reception for Representative Erin Zwiener
June 21, 2019
11:30 AM - The Austin Club
Fundraising Reception for Representative Goodwin
June 24, 2019
8:30 AM - Austin Club, Stacy Room
Fundraising Reception for Representative Roland Gutierrez
June 24, 2019
11 AM - Austin Club, Austin, TX
Fundraising Reception for Senator Pete Flores
June 24, 2019
11 AM - 919 Congress Ave - Lobby Conference Room
Fundraising Reception for Representative Armando Walle
June 24, 2019
11:30 AM - Austin Club, Austin, TX
Fundraising Reception for Senator Robert Nichols
June 24, 2019
12 PM - Austin Club, Austin, TX
Fundraising Reception for Senator Jose Rodriguez
June 24, 2019
4 PM - Austin Club, Austin, TX
Fundraising Reception for Representative Hubert Vo
June 24, 2019
4 PM - The Austin Club, Austin, TX
Fundraising Reception for Representative Sheffield
June 24, 2019
4 PM - The Austin Club, Austin, TX
Fundraising Reception for Representative Sarah Davis
June 24, 2019
4 PM - The Austin Club, Austin, TX
Fundraising Reception for Representative Miles
June 24, 2019
4 PM - The Austin Club, Austin, TX
Fundraising Reception for Representative Calanni
June 25, 2019
8 AM - Austin Club, Third Floor, Austin, TX
Fundraising Reception for Representative Andrews Bowers
June 25, 2019
9 AM - Austin Club, President’s Room, Austin, TX
Fundraising Reception for Senator Lois Kolkhorst
June 25, 2019
11:30 AM - Austin Club, Austin, TX
Fundraising Reception for Attorney General Ken Paxton
June 25, 2019
11:30 AM - Austin Club, Austin, TX
Fundraising Reception for Representative Chris Paddie
June 25, 2019
11:30 AM - Lily and Company, Austin, TX
Fundraising Reception for Representatives Kyle Kacal & Ken King
June 25, 2019
11 AM - Dirty Martins, 2808 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX
Fundraising Reception for Representative Steve Allison
June 25, 2019
12 PM - Austin, TX
Fundraising Reception for Senator Kelly Hancock
June 25, 2019
3:30 PM - Austin, TX
Fundraising Reception for Representative John Zerwas
June 25, 2019
3:30 PM - InterContinental, State Boardroom
701 Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701
Fundraising Reception Honoring Lt. Governor Dan Patrick
June 25, 2019
Austin Club, Austin, TX
Fundraising Reception for Governor Gregg Abbott
June 25, 2019
6 PM - Austin, TX
Fundraising Reception for Representative Michelle Beckley
June 26, 2019
8 AM - Austin Club, Austin, TX
Fundraising Reception for Representative Blanco
June 26, 2019
8 AM - Austin Club, Austin, TX
Fundraising Reception for Chairman Jeff Leach
June 26, 2019
9 AM - 919 Congress Ave, Lobby Conference Room
Fundraising Reception for Representative Geanie Morrison
June 26, 2019
11 AM - 919 Congress Ave, Lobby Conference Room
Fundraising Reception for Representative Huberty
June 26, 2019
1:30 PM - Austin, Club, Austin, TX
Fundraising Reception for Senator Bryan Hughes and
Representative Cole Hefner
June 26, 2019
4 PM - InterContinental, Second Floor Lounge
701 Congress Ave., Austin, Texas 78701
Fundraising Reception for Representative Gene Wu
June 26th, 2019
4 PM - InterContinental, Second Floor Lounge
701 Congress Ave., Austin, Texas 78701
Fundraising Reception for Representative Bucy
June 26, 2019
4 PM - Austin Club, Austin, TX
Fundraising Reception for Senator Dawn Buckingham
June 26, 2019
4:30 PM - Austin Club, Austin, TX
Fundraising Reception for Representative Phil King
June 26, 2019
11 AM - 919 Congress Ave: Lobby Conference Room
Fundraising Reception for Representative Andy Murr
June 26, 2019
2:30 PM - 919 Congress Ave: Lobby Conference Room
Fundraising Reception for Representative Valorie Swanson
June 27, 2019
9 AM - 919 Congress Ave, Lobby Conference Room
Fundraising Reception for Representative Reggie Smith
June 27, 2019
11 AM - 919 Congress Ave, Lobby Conference Room
Fundraising Reception for Senator Judith Zaffirini
June 27, 2019
4:30 PM - Austin Club, Austin, TX
Fundraising Reception for Comptroller Glenn Hegar
June 27, 2019
11:30 AM - Austin Club, Austin, TX
Fundraising Reception for Representative Trent Ashby
June 27, 2019
1 PM - InterContinental Stephen F. Austin, Austin, TX
Fundraising Reception for Representative Neave
June 27, 2019
2:30 PM - The Austin Club, Austin, TX
Fundraising Reception for Representative Flynn
June 27, 2019
3:30 PM - The Austin Club, Austin, TX
Fundraising Reception for Representative Jarred Patterson
w/ Honorary Guest Speaker Dennis Bonnen
June 27, 2019
3:30 PM - The Austin Club, Austin, TX
Fundraising Reception for Representative Richard Raymond
June 27, 2019
4:30 PM - Westgate Building, Austin, TX
Wrapping Up the 86th Legislative Session
6:30 PM - June 27, 2019
Capital Factory 701 Brazos Street, Austin, TX
Fundraising Reception for Representative Mary Ann Perez
July 11, 2019
4:30 PM - Austin Club, Austin, TX
TAB (Texas Association of Business) Post Session Update
July 11, 2019
NCSL (National Conference of State Legislatures) Legislative Summit
August 5 - 8, 2019
TIPRO (Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association) Summer Conference
August 7 - 8, 2019
August 14 - 16, 2019
Energy Trade Mission to Israel 2019
September 16, 2019 to September 20, 2019
September 26 - 28, 2019
Stalwart Strategies Capitol Appreciation Party
Wednesday, October 2, 2019
Texas House Republican Caucus Fall Golf Tournament
October 17 - 18, 2019
Texas Energy Summit at the Capitol
November 12 - 14, 2019
Click here for House of Representatives Capitol Events Calendar.
Click here for Texas Senate Capitol Events Calendar.
Agency Meetings:
Click here to view agency meetings posted after publication of this report.
Texas Department of Public Safety
June 21, 2019 - 09:00 AM
6100 Guadalupe, Bldg E, Austin
Finance Commission of Texas
7:30 AM - Audit Committee
8 AM - Commission Meeting
June 21, 2019
2601 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Training and Outreach Subcommittee, State Medicaid Managed Care Advisory Committee, Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement Subcommittee
June 24, 2019 - 3:00 PM
4900 North Lamar Blvd., Austin
Texas Water Development Board
June 24, 2019 - 9:30 AM
1700 N Congress Avenue, Stephen F Austin Building, Room 170, Austin
State Seed and Plant Board
June 25, 2019 - 10:00 AM
370 Olsen Blvd., Heep Center Room 440, College Station
Texas Workforce Commission
June 25, 2019 - 9:00 AM
101 East 15th Street, Room 244, Austin
Department of State Health Services
June 26, 2019 - 4:00 PM
Wyndham Garden Austin, 3401 South IH 35, Austin
Texas Workforce Commission
June 26, 2019 - 1:30 PM
101 East 15th Street, Room 244, Austin
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
June 26, 2019 - 9:30 AM
12100 Park 35 Circle, Building E, Room 201S, Austin
Texas Department of Transportation
June 26, 2019 - 2:00 PM
125 East 11th St., Austin
Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission
June 26, 2019 - 10:30 AM
5806 Mesa Drive, Austin
Texas Department of Agriculture
June 27, 2019 - 1:00 PM
SF Austin Bldg., 1700 N. Congress Avenue, Room 1104A, Austin
Texas Department of Transportation
June 27, 2019 - 9:00 AM
125 East 11th Street, Austin
**To find a specific MEETING AGENDA **click here__**
