Representative Frullo Encourages Participation in Texas Red Tape Challenge
Website aims to give public easier access to legislative process
August 6, 2012
LUBBOCK - State Representative John Frullo (R-Lubbock) is encouraging Texans to take part in a new web-based project aimed at giving citizens easier access to the policy-making process.
The Texas Red Tape Challenge (www.texasredtapechallenge.com) is a website which allows members of the public to offer ideas on how to reduce the burden of state laws and regulations, and provide recommendations on how to improve the efficiency and productivity of the state government. The website serves as a forum for all members of the public to share their own ideas or show their support for recommendations made by others.
"It’s exciting that we’ve come up with an easy, new way to hear from constituents who have ideas to make government more effective and efficient," Frullo, a member of the House Committee on Government Efficiency and Reform, said. "I encourage folks to take some time, log on and give us their ideas!"
The Challenge focuses on four subjects, including occupational licensing, public education mandates, state agency rulemaking, and manufacturing in Texas. Specific laws and regulations relating to each subject will be introduced for the public's consideration and comment.
"There are thousands of regulations and mandates embedded within hundreds of chapters of state law," Bill Callegari (R-Katy), state representative and chairman of the House Committee on Government Efficiency and Reform, said. "The purpose of the Texas Red Tape Challenge is to show people where those laws are and ask how those regulations could be streamlined, improved or even abolished."
New policy slates will be introduced to the Challenge every two weeks. The Challenge concludes in October, and a Committee meeting will be held to discuss ideas and recommendations generated through the Challenge in November. The ideas adopted by the Committee will be included in its report to the 83rd Texas Legislature beginning in January 2013.
82ND LEGISLATIVE SESSION
- Alicia's Law
- Education
- Budget
- Texas Tech
- Lawsuit Reform
- Eminent Domain
- Other Legislation
A major accomplishment of the 82nd legislative session was the unanimous passage of HB 3746, otherwise known as Alicia’s Law. The bill, my biggest initiative of the session, gives the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task forces administrative subpoena power to combat child pornography and sexual abuse. Alicia’s Law was named after Alicia Kozakeiwicz, who at age 13, was contacted by a predator through the internet, abducted and held for four days in a basement where she was tortured. These kinds of crimes are the fastest growing class of crimes in our country. More than 30,000 indvidual computers in Texas were identified by the Department of Justice as trafficking in sadistic images of children being raped and tortured. This must stop; we must give our law enforcement the tools they need to go after these predators!
Education funding was another topic of much discussion and debate during the 82nd Legislative Session. The budget for the 2012-2013 biennium increased general revenue funding to public schools by adding $1.6 billion more to public education for the next two years. Legislators also decreased state mandates on local school districts to allow for more flexibility and less bureaucracy at the local level.
During this session, we faced an unprecedented budget shortfall. The budget for the 2012-2013 biennium totals $172.3 billion,including a decrease in overall state spending by $15.2 billion from the last biennium. Though difficult decisions had to be made, we were able to balance the state budget without raising taxes. Just as families are forced to tighten their belts and cut household spending, legislators were tasked with drafting a budget that is fiscally responsible and works within our means.
Aiding in Texas Tech University’s pursuit of becoming a tier-one research institution, the Legislature outlined the method for distributing funds from the National Research University Fund to qualifying schools. The plan divides the money equally among the qualifying institutions. This will facilitate greater research opportunities for students and recognition of the universities in Texas that are making great strides in various research arenas.
Lawsuit reform was another critical issue tackled by this legislature. We continued our state’s great tradition of enacting policies that keep Texas on the forefront of job growth by passing laws to expedite legitimate lawsuits, while minimizing frivolous claims that hurt Texas businesses and cost Texans jobs. The reforms incorporated in the “loser pays” legislation cuts the cost of litigation, facilitates easier access to courts, and ensures that Texas remains business friendly.
In addition to the items mentioned above, we also passed legislation that protects private property (eminent domain), protects the sanctity of life (sonogram legislation), and ensures the integrity of our elections (voter ID). The following legislative update provides you with an overview of the constitutional amendments that will appear on the November ballot for your consideration, as well as a brief synopsis of legislation I authored during my first legislative session.
In addition to the items mentioned above, we also passed legislation that protects private property (eminent domain), protects the sanctity of life (sonogram legislation), and ensures the integrity of our elections (voter ID). The following legislative update provides you with an overview of the constitutional amendments that will appear on the November ballot for your consideration, as well as a brief synopsis of legislation I authored during my first legislative session.