Capital Highlights
House passes version of state budget for 2008-2009
Ed Sterling Texas Press Association

A USTIN - The Texas House of Representatives on

March 30 passed

House Bill 1, the state budget for the 2008-2009 biennium.

The budget totals slightly more than $150 billion, an increase of 5.4 percent from the previous biennium. Note: the figure does not include the $14.2 billion property tax relief passed a year ago in the Third Called Session of the 79th Legislature.

Speaker Tom Craddick said that compared with the state's population growth and the rate of inflation since that time, the increase embodied in HB 1 is fiscally conservative, leaving a $4.2 billion surplus to carry forward to the next state budget cycle.

When compared to the present 2006-2007 budget, education received a $3.6 billion increase, covering the Teachers' Retirement System, financial aid and additional funding for public schools and higher education. An amendment to HB 1 gives teachers an acrossthe board $850 annual pay increase.

More than $2.5 billion was added to health and human services for increased Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program costs, improved provider rates for physicians and other healthcare professionals, increased trauma funding for hospitals, and a new mental health crisis stabilization program.

Corrections received nearly $600 million to meet projected inmate population growth and increase border security. Before debating HB 1 on the House floor, members voted to require that any new spending item added to the budget must be accompanied by removing another item of equal value.

If the House version of the budget does not square with the Senate version, differences will be debated in a conference committee of House and Senate members.

Report shows costs of obesity

A new report commissioned by Comptroller Susan Combs shows obesity- related costs set Texas businesses back an estimated $3.3 billion in 2005 and could cost employers about $16 billion annually by 2025.

The dollar amount includes cost of health care, absent e e i s m , decreased productivity and disability.

Combs commented on the report, "Counting Costs and Calories - Measuring the Cost of Obesity to Texas Employers."

"Nearly two-thirds of our state's adult population is currently overweight or obese, and because of the alarming rise in obesity, we decided to communicate what stake Texas businesses have in stemming the obesity crisis," she said. "The costs are shocking, and the future could be very grim if we don't take action now to reverse this trend. The trend in obesity is avoidable - not inevitable - but we must take action now." Perry signs 'Castle Doctrine' bill

Gov. Rick Perry on March 27 signed into law Senate Bill 378, extending Texans' rights to use deadly force for self-defense in their home, vehicle or workplace. The law takes effect Sept. 1.

Under SB 378, Perry said, a person's right to stand their ground extends beyond the home to vehicles and workplaces, allowing reasonable use of deadly force when an intruder is:

t Committing or attempting to commit a violent crime, such as murder or sexual assault;

t Unlawfully trying to enter a protected place; or

t Unlawfully trying to remove a person from a protected place.

The law also provides civil immunity for a person who lawfully uses deadly force.

Senate confirms Kimbrough

The Senate Committee of the Whole on March 28 confirmed Jay Kimbrough as conservator of the Texas Youth Commission.

Kimbrough had been serving as special master of the ailing state agency since early March, when he was appointed to the post by Gov. Perry. Allegations of sex abuse of inmates and official wrongdoing at the agency are under investigation.

As conservator, Kimbrough has legal authority over the agency. He will act as chief executive, overseeing day-to-day operations while directing the investigation. Already, some high-level officials have left, employee firings are possible and sentences of youths are being reviewed for fairness.

The only senator voting against the confirmation of Kimbrough was Eliot Shapleigh, D-El Paso, who wanted a conservator without close ties to Gov. Perry. Kimbrough is a former staff member of Perry's and a former staff member of Attorney General Greg Abbott.

Ed Sterling is director of member services for the Texas Press Association in Austin.