Lubbock Area Republican Women at the Capitol
was very honored to have the Lubbock Area Republican Women at the Capitol on April 18th, as part of the Texas Federation of Republican Women Day at the Capitol. Additionally, on Friday Lubbock was unanimously awarded the bid for the 2015 TFRW Convention. Congratulations to the Lubbock ladies!
West, Texas
Today is the memorial service for those who lost their lives during the explosion in West, Texas last week. My thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones who are mourning the loss of life. I urge you to visit the Facebook page “Prayers for West” to find out ways to help the community rebuild.
National Day of Prayer
May 2, 2013 is the National Day of Prayer and there will be celebrations across the state. I am honored to have been asked to pray for business during the Capitol event on the South Steps at noon. For more information please visit: www.texasndp.org.
Get Involved in the Process
Would you support using a portion of the Rainy Day Fund to fund water and transportation projects?
district83.perry@house.state.tx.us Facebook: Charles Perry (512) 463-0542 or (806) 783-9934
Sites of the District
Being in Austin for session makes me realize how proud I am to be from the South Plains and how much I miss home.
Send, Tweet or Facebook us your favorite picture of the district for a chance to be featured in the next newsletter.
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House Bill 2394
Today, April 25, 2013, HB 2394 passed through the House on the Local & Consent Calendar. Right now, there is inconsistency because current law does not require all trailers, semitrailers, and travel trailers that are not manufactured housing to be titled. This has resulted in serious problems statewide, including theft and loss of revenue. My bill seeks to provide better understanding of the time and resources that would be necessary to title all trailers, semitrailers, and travel trailers by requiring Texas DMV to conduct an interim study.
House Bill 97 & House Joint Resolution 24
On April 22, 2013, I laid out HB 97 and HJR 24 in the Committee on Ways and Means. Across the state homes are donated by charitable organizations looking to help out returning soldiers who have sustained injuries serving our country. An unintended consequence is that veterans are having these donated homes foreclosed on because of the inability to pay property taxes. These two bills create a property tax exemption for veterans living in a home donated by a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Under current law, only veterans with a disability rating of 100% receive a property tax exemption. These bills are aimed at reducing the tax burden on veterans by granting them a property tax exemption tied to their disability rating.
House Joint Resolution 111
This week, I had the opportunity to layout House Joint Resolution 111 in the Appropriations Subcommittee on Budget Transparency and Reform. HJR 111 will maintain the integrity of the Economic Stabilization Fund, also known as the Rainy Day Fund, by requiring a minimum balance of 5 percent of the Biennial Revenue Estimate, as provided by the Comptroller. HJR 111 will ensure Texans have money in reserve to protect against natural disasters and keep our credit rating strong. We need to be thinking long-term in preserving our ability to pay our bills should we face another downturn in the economy. Financial investors have long prescribed having a savings account, and Texas does with the Rainy Day Fund, this resolution ensures we protect it.
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Download a pdf of here.