House Rules
April 2nd, 2007 at 6:58 pm
Rep. Sylvester Turner, the highest-ranking “Craddick D,” can’t win for trying. The Houston Democrat’s HB 551 stalled out again today on a rare point of order raised by Rep. Robert Talton (R-Meanville) and sustained by Speaker Tom Craddick. The goal of HB 551, restoration of a 10-20 percent discount for low-income electricity customers, has been at the top of Turner’s wish list ever since the Legislature raided the System Benefit Fund to balance the state’s budget in 2003. This session, with Craddick’s backing, Turner expected to get the fund re-instated.
HB 551, which has 45 official backers, easily got out of committee in mid-March and was set on the House calendar for March 26th. But that day the bill was postponed until today - after the House dealt with the budget last Thursday. Today’s point of order was based on a rule that says bills that transfer money out of the general revenue fund to another fund can not be heard until the 119th day of the session.
HB 551 should be a no-brainer.
As Turner pointed out today, HB 551 enjoys wide support: from Republicans and Democrats, the electric utility industry, and interests such as AARP and the Texas Apartment Association. Even Gov. Goodhair has said he’s in favor restoring the fund. Electricity rates have skyrocketed since 2003 and both power companies and politicians have been feeling the heat, while social services agencies have been hard-pressed to take the state’s place in providing utility bill assistance for the poor.
The money for the program is still being collected in the form of a .65 cent monthly fee on most Texans’ electricity bill. But instead of sending that money along to those whom the fee was desiged for - the needy - the revenue has been used to certify the state budget. The System Benefit is yet another one of those “hidden taxes” Texans pay every day. HB 551 would restore the fee to its original use and keep the $700 million pot of money out of politicians’ reach in a trust fund. But clearly someone has gotten comfortable with using the System Benefit Fund like an ATM or else Turner would have gotten his bill passed a long time ago.
Now, because of the rule Talton’s point of order was based on, Turner may not be able to bring this bill to the floor again until mid-May, at the end of the session. Turner had little to say after Craddick’s ruling. Perhaps he thought Craddick had no other choice (Craddick did say he thought it was “a harsh rule”) or maybe he’s reluctant to bite the hand that maybe will someday feed him. Time will tell whether Craddick Ds made a calculated choice or just simply sold themselves down the river.
April 5th, 2007 at 12:57 pm
[…] Rep. Robert Talton and his points of order. In a sequel to Monday’s performance, Talton yesterday ended hours of debate in the House by snuffing two bills - SB 482 and SB 483 - […]
April 25th, 2007 at 7:22 pm
[…] Turner (D-Houston) passed his System Benefit Fund bill through the House earlier today. Finally. Sent back twice this session on a point of order and the threat of a point of order, HB 551 moves towards […]