The 82nd session of the Texas Legislature adjourns Sine Die tomorrow. But there are already at least a couple of items Governor Rick Perry thinks lawmakers will need to address this summer.
The Known Knowns:
Governor Perry has already made it clear he's disappointed the lawmakers didn't pass a bill that re-organized the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA). And he said he'd like the Republican leadership to come up with an agreement on a Congressional redistricting map that could be filed, debated, passed and signed into law in a short 3-day session.
The Unknown Knowns:
Lawmakers know they need to pass a budget every session to avoid spending the summer in Austin. And after passing a $172 billion dollar spending bill Saturday night - some are ready to check that accomplishment off the list. But rumors of a filibuster in the Senate to block one final legislative piece of the budget puzzle could derail the bill already heading to the Governor's desk. SB 1811 has about $2.5 billion dollars needed to balance the budget and includes language that helps lawmakers cut about $4 billion from public education.
The Unknown Unknowns:
While lawmakers battle over what to do about SB 1811 - there are a several bills stuck behind the slowdown. Could one of those bills - left dead in a possible filibuster's wake trigger a special session? Only The Shadow Governor Rick Perry knows the answer.
