Weber Tells Roundtable State Budget Set At $182 Billion

Friday, June 12, 2009 12:58 PM EDT
Judy Zavalla
Alvin Sun

Staff Reporter

Following the close of the 81st Legislative Session, Randy Weber, Representative for the 29th District, has returned home. Last week, Weber spoke to attendees at the Alvin-Manvel Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Roundtable. He presented a session report card to those in attendance at the roundtable.

Weber began by reporting that the State’s $182 billion budget was passed during the session. “We had to make some tough choices, but were able to pass the budget,” Weber announced. He also discussed the stimulus program being offered to states by the federal government. He confirmed that the bill which would have allowed handguns on college campuses had died.

Much to the relief of Gulf Coast residents, the Texas Windstorm Insurance program was funded. “That funding was quite important as the hurricane season is upon us,” Weber said. A workforce training grant program was also passed. “The program is titled ‘Texas Works’ and is slated to award grants to community colleges that collaborate with another community college in order to provide technical education or workforce training,” Weber explained.

House Bill 3, which is related to public school accountability, curriculum and promotion requirements was passed. This bill will eventually phase out the TAKS test. The TAKS program has resulted in campuses competing for rankings ranging from exemplary to unacceptable. “We are working to phase out this test. This test will probably be replaced with end of course or end of six weeks testing of the student’s knowledge,” Weber said.

Additionally, the passage of House Bill 3646 works to address the way public school finance and programs are funded. Weber stated that this Bill will help to equalize school district’s funding. House Bill 130, which was also passed this session, relates to an enhanced quality full-day prekindergarten program. This program would be provided by the public school district working in conjunction with community providers.

House Bill 4009 relates to the establishment of a victim assistance program to provide services to domestic victims of trafficking. Other legislation helped in disaster funding when FEMA is delayed in reimbursing residents following a disaster. This will allow the residents to receive money from local entities. Those entities providing the money will then be reimbursed by FEMA. Border security and the state water plan also were helped by the passage of bills during the 81st Session.

The Mud District for Sedonna Lakes and two MUD Districts along FM 1642 were also approved during the session.

Political Advertisement paid for by Friends of Randy Weber

site by Advarion Incorporated