Texas Leaders Make Do With Less

by Linda Edwards

The pinch you’ve been feeling in the wallet is now a giant pinch in Austin as the economic slump finally hits Texas government. Although Texas is faring better than most states due to fiscal prudence and the days of four dollar gas, the state’s budget is estimated to be about 9 billion leaner this biennium than last.

While the House got off to a harmonious start with a new speaker last month, there was no peace pipe passed in the Senate where the first two days drew partisan bickering over rule changes to facilitate voter ID legislation. Yet with brand new leadership in the House, the hope is the focus will be more on the merits of tough choices and less on political scorekeeping.

That said, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison will be keeping score when it comes to the performance of Governor Rick Perry as the two are expected to square off in the Republican primary for Governor next year. Likewise, Lt. Governor David Dewhurst may have his next bid for higher office, yet to be declared, on his mind as he leads the Senate this session.

But the new Speaker, Joe Straus III, says he will push politics aside for the good of Texas. “Collaboration is the key to success in this session,” Straus said. “We will create an atmosphere where everyone’s voice can and should be heard, a place where we respect each other’s point of view.”

Some issues lawmakers are expected to consider are:

1. Merging the troubled Texas Youth Commission with the Juvenile Probation Commission;
   closing expensive institutions for the mentally retarded in favor of community living
2. Reducing emphasis on a single classroom test
3. How to effectively continue to the Texas Windstorm Insurance program
4. Energy solutions such as solar panels
5. Expansion of gambling

Anyone wanting to influence state legislators has a limited time to do so. The workload will pick up for lawmakers as the session moves forward, so any communications must be early, planned, brief and to the point. Many industries and organizations already have hired us and other communications professionals to help with their messages and how to best deliver them. A little bit of preparation and coaching goes a long way with this busy body.