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Day 93 of the 82nd Texas Legislature

LINE OF THE DAY
“I guess everybody’s going to have guns before we’re through up here.”
Sen. Rodney Ellis on Sen. Dan Patrick’s proposed bill allowing Texas lawmakers to carry guns everywhere.

FLOOR PLAY BY ABBY RAPOPORT
Senate Finance Chairman Steve Ogden, R-Bryan, has been clamoring for a serious reform of  the state’s business tax. But because tax bills must originate in the House, Ogden has to convince House Republicans, who won’t touch anything that even resembles a new tax. As Abby Rapoport reports, instead of talking about large scale tax reform, the House Ways and Means Committee is considering permanent tax exemptions for small businesses 

BEST OF THE REST
A provision inserted in the last-minute deal that prevented the federal government from shutting down last Friday will repeal the Save Texas Schools Amendment. The move will free up $832 million in government funding for Texas education, but state Democrats are worried that Gov. Rick Perry, who spearheaded the campaign to remove the amendment, will use the money for programs other than education. 

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING
Two of Perry’s “emergency items” are schedule for debate today in the House. The eminent domain bill passed out of the Senate earlier in the session will be debated on the House floor along with the House resolution calling on the federal government to balance its budget.