The Mignon Memo

No Spring Break for the Legislature

• Bills, Bills, Bills. The bill filing deadline has come and gone for the 84^thTexas Legislature. The dust has cleared and the final numbers have been tallied. A record-breaking 6,000+ bills have been filed between the House and Senate, the most in recent history.

• South by Southwest is underway bringing a deluge of musicians, celebrities, business moguls, and tourists to Austin. This year politicians have gotten into the mix, hosting SXSW events of their own. Gov. Greg Abbott hosted a reception at the Governor’s Mansionto pitch Texas to 300 entrepreneurs and CEOs assembled for the SXSW Interactive Festival.

• After approving legislation for the open carry of handguns yesterday, the Senate looks ready for another partisan shoot-out over gun rights: this time over campus carry, which would allow people on university campuses to carry handguns. The bill will be debated on the Senate floor this afternoon.

• Top O’ the Morning to ye’! St. Patrick’s Day festivities took place yesterday, with many sporting green and feigning Irish heritage. TheTexas-Irish connection is alive and well in the Capitol City as the 6th Irish consulate in the country officially opened on Sixth Street.

Only in Austin…

Jimmy Kimmel has returned to Austin, for SXSW and is currently taping shows at the Long Center through Friday, March 20. Texas legends and celebrities making an appearance include: Robert Rodriguez, Dale Watson, Spoon, Kanye West, Willie Nelson and the cast of “The Walking Dead.”

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Let’s get to the really important news. Phil Collins is the newest Honorary Texan. Yes, that Phil Collins.

Other news is from the week is less starstruck.

• Most of us woke up groggy and grumpy on Monday thanks to Day Light Savings. Rep. Dan Flynn (R-Van) is so tired of Day Light Savings that he filed a bill to exempt Texas from “springing forward” and “falling back.” The legislation to save the sleep cycles of all Texans is set for a hearing Wednesday in the House Government Transparency and Operations Committee.

• Friday the 13^th isn’t just an important date for the masked killer Jason; Friday, March 13^th at 6pm is also the bill filing deadline at the Texas Legislature. It could induce as many screams as the horror movies.

• Everyone likes a good tax cut, right? Sure, as long as you aren’t left out. Heavy hitters of the Texas business industry are concerned about the Senate’s plans for tax cuts that would only help homeowners, not businesses, with a property tax break. The House has yet to unveil its plan, but Rep. Dennis Bonnen (R-Angleton), Chairman of the House Ways & Means committee, says that it will differ broadly in its approach to making cuts.

• Senate transportation funding proposal detoured? The Senate recently passed SB 5 and SJR 5, a legislative package that would dedicate a portion of the motor vehicle sales tax to transportation projects, may not be as popular in the House. House budget writers recently announced an extra $1.5 billion in state money for transportation, but have not discussed the Senate’s proposal.

Only in Austin:

For 28 years, Upper Crust has supplied the Austin community with cakes, pies, pastries, bread, and countless other baked goods. It’s the perfect place for a quick cup of coffee and quiche or a soup and sandwich lunch. They also make the best chocolate cake in town. Pick one up for the next birthday celebration!

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March Madness – Capitol Edition

• How sweet it is to be a Texan. Legislators celebrated Texas Independence Day with 1,836 donuts in the shape of the Texas flag.

• “Let’s make this simple.” That’s what transportation officials are saying with a new single-sticker system. The new policy, streamlining vehicle inspection and registration, was approved in 2013 to bundle these certifications into one process, with one sticker. The new system came into effect Sunday, March 1.

• Tax relief sounds a lot better than it feels, just ask the state budget writers. Senators from both parties took aim at the state’s business franchise tax this week, but killing it may be easier said than done. Eliminating this tax might offer some relief to companies but it would also blow a $9 billion hole in the budget.

• No Vacancy. Four midterm special-election runoffs have filled the empty seats in the Texas Legislature. Diego Bernal (D-San Antonio), John Cyrier (R-Lexington), and Leighton Schubert (R-Caldwell) were sworn into the Texas House of Representative yesterday. Senator Elect Jose Menendez (D-San Antonio) will be sworn in later today.

• Texans take pride in their bluebonnets, Lone Stars, and mockingbirds. These traditional symbols may soon be joined by a new one. Elliott Naishtat (Austin) created a buzz recently when he put forth a bill designating the western honey bee as the official State Pollinator of Texas.

Only in Austin…

Dive Bar & Lounge is an approachable cocktail lounge off 17^th and Guadalupe. Although a recent addition to the city’s bar scene, this establishment – founded in 2011- has all the makings of a quintessential Austin institution. This hidden gem is a neighborhood place where you can get a cheap, local beer or a well-made martini in an effortlessly cool atmosphere. If you weren’t already convinced, Dive Bar also boasts a staff voted among the “dreamiest” bartenders in the city.

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Hullabaloo from the House (and Senate)

• After 24 years in the Legislature, Sen. Leticia Van de Putte (San Antonio) bid farewell to the Texas Senate on Tuesday. Van de Putte will be stepping down from state politics to run for San Antonio mayor. Senator-Elect José Menéndez will succeed Van de Putte as the senator for Senate District 26.

• Yesterday, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Senate leadership presented a $4.6 billion tax relief package that includes $2.5 billion to lower property taxes. Senate Bill 1, authored by Senate Finance Chair Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound), would set the exemption at 25% of the state’s median home market value. Several bills have been filed this session that would restrict how much appraisals or local tax rates can grow.

• Tax-free shopping may not be just for back to school purchases anymore. State lawmakers are reviewing plans to extend the benefit to other Texans, particularly hunters. There are currently 3 bills proposing to add tax-free shopping weekends at the beginning of dove and deer seasons. The holidays would exempt firearms and hunting supplies such as ammunition, blinds, stands, decoys, firearm-cleaning supplies, gun cases and safety equipment.

• Texas was well-represented at the 87th Academy Awards. Houstonian and University of Texas alum, Wes Anderson, won 4 Oscars for his film The Grand Budapest Hotel including “Best Costume Design, “Best Makeup” and “Best Production Design”. Boyhood, shot in Texas by native Richard Linklater, was nominated for 6 Oscars but only made-off with one. The film snagged “Best Supporting Actress” for Patricia Arquette’s stellar performance.

Only in Austin…

Although it may not feel like it, spring has officially sprung in Austin. As another snap of cold weather rolls into town the season’s first crop of bluebonnets is just starting to appear. Texas Bluebonnets are springing-up in the planters next to the University of Texas Tower. The bluebonnets, like other wildflowers throughout the state, are planted yearly in memory of former first lady, Lady Bird Johnson.

Commentary from the Capitol:

Gov. Greg Abbott has appointed former state representative Tryon Lewis and San Antonio banker J. Bruce Bugg, Jr., to the Texas Transportation Commission. Both appointments are subject to Senate confirmation. Once they are confirmed, both men will become part of the five-member commission which oversees the Texas Department of Transportation.

In his first State of the State address, Gov. Greg Abbott declared 5 emergency action items as his priorities for the legislative session. These issues are expected to get expedited consideration in both the House and the Senate:

• Early Education (pre-k)
• Higher Education
• Transportation
• Border Security
• Ethics Reform

Gov. Abbott also used his State of the State address to re-iterate his budget plans. Abbott’s budget will focus on providing tax relief to Texas employers and job creators, calling for reductions on property taxes and the business franchise tax. Abbott also emphasized paying down the state’s debt, and called for a constitutional amendment that would limit the growth of the state budget to population growth plus inflation.

Four special election run-offs are over and the results are in:

• Senate District 26: State Rep. José Menéndez will succeed Leticia Van de Putte, beating out State Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer. Menendez will serve the remainder of Van de Putte’s term. A special election to fill the seat for House District 124 will occur at a date to be announced.
• House District 13: Leighton Schubert, an attorney from Caldwell, defeated former Austin County Judge Carolyn Bilski for Sen. Lois Kolkhorst’s empty House seat.
• House District 17: John Cyrier, a business owner from Lockhart, will succeed Tim Kleinschmidt after defeating fellow Republican Brent Golemon.
• House District 123: Diego Bernal, a former San Antonio City Councilman, will succeed Mike Villarreal after defeating State Republican Executive Committeeman, Nunzio Previtera.

Only In Austin…

If the streets of Austin could talk, what would they say? Thanks to the ‘Hello Lamp Post’ project you’ll be able to find out! ‘Hello Lamp Post’ is a city-wide platform for play that lets you “talk” to the city’s infrastructure. In addition to lamp posts, participants can text mail boxes, bus stops, manholes, and moontowers; answering questions, sharing stories, and joining in a conversation with fellow Austinites. The project is a part of a temporary art installation running from February 12 to April 27, commissioned by the City of Austin Cultural Arts Division of the Economic Development Department and in partnership with Art Alliance Austin.

Texas Capitol Tidbits:

• Speaker Joe Straus has unveiled House Committee assignments for the 84th Legislature. Among the assignments are many new committee chairs, as legislators step-in to fill the seats of vacated positions, including:
  • House Appropriations (John Otto succeeds Jim Pitts, who retired)
  • House Ways and Means (Dennis Bonnen succeeds Harvey Hilderbran, who stepped down to run for comptroller)
  • House Higher Education (John Zerwas succeeds Dan Branch, who ran for attorney general)
  • House Public Health (Myra Crownover succeeds Lois Kolkhorst, who is now in the Texas Senate)

• Yesterday, Comptroller Glenn Hegar announced his appointment of Lisa Craven, his chief of staff, to the State Water Implementation Fund for Texas (SWIFT) advisory committee. The advisory committee oversees the spending for the state’s water plan.

• Grab your textbooks, your backpack, and your gun? Thursday, the Senate State Affairs Committee will hold a hearing on “Campus Carry” legislation. The bill would allow concealed weapons to be carried on college and university campuses. After a similar bill failed last session, lawmakers are arming themselves for a legislative shoot-out over gun rights.

• Sunday’s 57th Annual GRAMMY Awards, highlighted some Texas talent featuring 11 recording artists, born or based in Texas. Texans received 13 awards and a shout-out from Gov. Greg Abbott. In addition to receiving awards, Texans Beyoncé and Miranda Lambert were among the 23 live performers on the show.

Only in Austin:

The HOPE Outdoor Graffiti Gallery (locally known as ‘the Foundation’) is a community art project located at 11th & Baylor Street. The area is the site of an abandoned condominiums project. Bare walls and foundation slabs that make up most of the park have since been remade into a far more imaginative project. It has since become a street art wonderland where graffiti artists from all over the city come to paint on cement canvases. The park is open to the public 7am – 9pm.

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Capitol Happenings:

• We may not have seen any Texas teams play in the Super Bowl, but Texas did have a hand in the halftime show. Kaufman native Nick Florez choreographed the dance routine for Katy Perry and her two-legged shark friends.

• The Senate Finance committee has started its daily meetings in order craft its version of the budget. Chair Jane Nelson has implemented a vigorous timeline with the intent to wrap up the committee’s work in the next four weeks.

• Committees have not been named in the House as of the writing of this memo. Depending on your perspective, this is terrific news-or not.

• Governor Abbott announced the restructuring of the divisions of Economic Development and Tourism. The Texas Film Commission, the Texas Music Office, the Women’s Commission and the Workforce Investment Council will now report to the Director of Economic Development. The following appointments in those offices were also announced:
  • Bryan Daniel, Economic Development and Tourism Division Director
  • LaChristian Taylor, Women’s Commission Director
  • Brendan Anthony, Music Office Director

• Associate Commissioner of the Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Kirk Cole has been named Interim Commissioner as the state searches to replace Commissioner David Lakey. Dr. Lakey has accepted a position with the University of Texas System and the University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler.

• The University of Texas endowment surpassed Yale University as the second-wealthiest institution in U.S. higher education. According to an annual survey the endowment for the UT System topped $25 billion. Other Texas schools like A&M and Texas Tech also top the list.

Only in Austin:

The Capitol is hosting some cold-blooded characters this week.  The Sweetwater Jaycees are in town for their annual visit to the Capitol, bringing over a dozen venomous friends with them! The Jaycees aim to promote their yearly rattlesnake round up and teach visitors about one of Texas’ most iconic animals. Ssssssss……

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Scuttlebutt from the Senate (and House):

• The Texas Senate has adopted its rules, doing away with the 70 year tradition of requiring a two-thirds majority to move legislation to the floor for debate. Now it will take a three-fifths majority, or 19 Senators, to move legislation forward, instead of 21.

• Governor Greg Abbott announced that February 17th is the runoff date for the special elections in Senate District 26, House District 13, House District 17 and House District 123. Early voting begins on February 9th and goes through February 13th.
  • SD-26 (San Antonio): Democratic state representatives Trey Martinez Fischer and Rep. José Menéndez are vying for Leticia Van de Putte’s Senate seat
  • HD-13 (Austin, Burleson, Colorado, Fayette, Grimes, Lavaca, and Washington counties): Judge Carolyn Bilski (R) and Leighton Schubert (R), an attorney are running to fill the seat vacated by Lois Kolkhorst when she was elected to the Texas Senate.
  • HD-17 (central Texas: Bastrop, Caldwell, Gonzales, Karnes, Lee counties): John Cyrier (R), a general contractor and Brent Golemon (R), a businessman/entrepreneur will face each other in the runoff.
  • HD -123 (San Antonio): Diego Bernal (D), a former San Antonio city councilman, is running against Nunzio Previtera (R), an insurance agent.

• Senate committee assignments are out, but not without some reworking of committee structure. The number of Senate committees has dropped from 18 to 14, doing away with Open Government, Jurisprudence, Economic Development and Government Organization. Where certain bills get referred for a hearing will also shift because of the downsizing.

• The Senate released a $205.1 billion base budget that includes $4 billion in tax cuts– $3 billion set aside for property tax cuts and $1 billion for business franchise tax cuts. The mechanisms for tax relief are still being worked out.

Only in Austin:

Now that Session has started, various groups and organizations from across the state travel to Austin to advocate for what is important to them. Monday was Bikers’ Day, and hundreds of bikers gathered at the Capitol to bring attention to issues that affect nearly a half million registered motorcyclists in Texas. The U.S. Defenders, a grass roots movement of citizen bikers, organized a moment of silence outside of the Capitol.

Inaugural Insights:

• Governor Greg Abbott and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick have officially been sworn in. This marks the first time in 24 years voters have filled both offices with new people at the same time. Ann Richards and Bob Bullock were the last duo to hold this distinction back in 1991.

• The Sam Houston Bible used for the swearing in of every Texas governor for the past two centuries may not be what we thought. Archivists at the Texas Supreme Court have questioned whether this Bible ever actually belonged to Houston. Handwriting experts haven’t been called in yet, but new evidence surrounding writing in the Bible is raising doubts about whether it ever actually belonged to Houston.

• The Texas House of Representatives released its two-year base budget for 2016-17, totaling $202.4 billion, and leaving $13 billion in the state coffers. The base budgets of the House and Senate serve as the starting point for budget negotiations between the two chambers. The Senate has not yet released its budget.

• Not one, but TWO bills have been filed to designate the cowboy hat as the official state hat of Texas. Representative Marsha Farney (R-Georgetown) and Representative Dwayne Bohac (R-Houston) have both authored legislation that may saddle the state with some dashing new head gear.

Only in Austin:

Boyhood made a strong showing with the Academy over the weekend, receiving six Oscar nominations. The coming-of-age drama was shot in Texas over the course of 12 years by director Richard Linklater. Linklater, a founding member of the Austin Film Society, wrote the movie as a love letter to Texas. Although the film visits every corner of the state, a majority of the project was filmed in Austin. Linklater features several Austin haunts like the Dart Bowl bowling alley, dorms at the University of Texas, and The Continental Club.

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 Let the games begin!

• The Capitol was buzzing yesterday as the 84th Legislature kicked off with the swearing in of members of the House and Senate. Speaker Joe Straus was re-elected for a fourth term as Speaker of the House and Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa was elected president pro tempore, the person who fills in when the Lieutenant Governor is away.

•  Governor-Elect Greg Abbott and Lieutenant Governor-Elect Dan Patrick will take the oath of office on the south steps of the Capitol at 11am on Inaugural Day, January 20th. For more information on inaugural festivities, click here.

• Comptroller Glenn Hegar released his biennial revenue estimate this week. There will be a $7.5 billion surplus at the end of this biennium, increasing the amount available for general purpose spending to $113 billion for 2016-2017. The Legislature must not exceed $113 billion in available revenue when writing the budget.

• Tuesday’s special election for House District 13 to fill the unexpired term of Lois Kolkhorst, who was elected to the Texas Senate, is headed to a run-off. Austin County Judge Carolyn Bilski (R) received 43.45% of the vote and Caldwell attorney Leighton Schubert (R) received 32.79% of the vote. A date for the run-off election has not been announced yet.

Only in Austin…

Austin’s city ordinance prohibiting the use of all electronic hand-held devices while driving went into effect January 1, 2015. If you are driving in Austin, don’t forget to go hands-free with your cell phone. You could be fined up to $500 if you don’t!

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