On the Senator’s desk....
For the past three years, Senator Shapleigh was able to get a report from the state’s Department of Health that breaks down the number people living in Texas who are uninsured, and what type of coverage everyone else has. Last year, the Senator was told this information was no longer available. At a Finance Committee meeting this week, the senator put in a rider the language to make this information available and public.

Chamber echoes...
The Legislative Budget Board has calculated that the changes proposed by HB 3 by Rep. Keffer would increase taxes paid by 80% of Texas families. On average, only families with incomes over $100,000 a year would save more from property tax cuts than they would pay in higher sales and cigarette taxes or absorb in lower wages due to the proposed payroll tax. It is expected that this bill will be changed in the Senate.

Among those who visited Austin this week ...
Several UTEP students and an El Paso grandparent, Richard Morales, who was there to tell lawmakers that he doesn't want any new taxes or increases.

In Committee this week... The Subcommittee on Emerging Technologies and Economic Development approved and moved to the full Business and Commerce Committee CSSB 96 - Online Business Portal. The bill, if passed, provides for the development of a single point of entry to streamline the process for setting up and maintaining a business in Texas through Texas Online. By creating a "one-stop shop" for business and making it easier to do business in Texas, the State is both better supporting the businesses already located here and providing incentive for others to relocate in Texas.

Bills filed...
Senator Shapleigh has filed SB 850 which exempts members of the Texas National Guard, Texas State Guard or from the Military Reserve from having to pay the motor vehicle registration fee on their vehicle if they get called in to full-time service.

Upcoming News...
The full Senate will debate and vote on a proposal to dock Texas universities that raise tuition without properly trying to contain costs. The Senate Finance committee voted to give less money to schools that charge more than $94 for a semester hour. All Texas public universities, including UTEP, have raised tuition and UTEP on Thursday was asking the UT Board of Regents for permission to raise rates again - something Senator Shapleigh opposes and will continue to fight.