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Day 107 of the 82nd Texas Legislature

LINE OF THE DAY
“I’ve believed all along that we could close our budget with a combination of some tweaking of state law, a couple of additional non-priority cuts and with our non-tax revenue,”
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst disagreeing with the Senate’s proposal to use more of the rainy day fund.

FLOOR PLAY BY ABBY RAPOPORT
 

OBSERVED
You mean its not alright to shoot pigs from a helicopter? A bill designed to reign in the rampant infestation of feral hogs by allowing “sportsmen” to hunt from helicopters ran into some obstacles in the Senate Natural Resources committee yesterday. The bill which flew through the House, was shot down by Senators after a number of concerns were raised.  

BEST OF THE REST
Texas state representatives passed a bill yesterday which would tax some online retailers like Amazon for sales made in Texas. As the Statesman’s Barry Harrell writes, “By voting 122-23 to pass House Bill 2403 by Rep. John Otto, R-Dayton, lawmakers made their clearest statement to date that they are siding with state Comptroller Susan Combs in her push to force Amazon and other online retailers to collect taxes on sales made to Texans.”  

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING
Today, Texas representatives will begin the process of redrawing the state’s district maps for the next ten years. But conservative lawmakers and minority representatives alike  are displeased with the redistricting bill presented in the House.