In this issue:

1. Special Session
2. Governor's Veto Proclamations
3. Interim Reviews

The 78th Legislature will reconvene for a special session on June 30 to address Congressional redistricting. In his call for the special session, Governor Perry also noted that "Once legislators have begun their work on this important issue, I will consider expanding the call to other unfinished business from the 78th Regular Session, such as funding for the Regional Academic Health Center and Texas Tech Medical School, and other important matters." While the state's leadership has also committed to hold another special session to address public school finance, no date has yet been set.

Governor Perry vetoed several bills and budget items last weekend. Of the bills vetoed, SB 1154 required state agencies to make electronic information available and included an amendment added at the end of the session regarding public library districts. The governor's veto proclamation included the following statement:

"The amendment to Senate Bill No. 1154 concerning library districts would have an adverse effect on the Village of Bee Cave and its citizens by negating a voter-approved sales tax for economic development projects. The bill requires a reduction in the sales tax rate of a 4B development corporation if a library district and corresponding sales tax is subsequently created within the boundaries of the corporation. This would retroactively override the statutory petition and election process provided in current law.

"The Mayor and City Council of the Village of Bee Cave have committed to providing the Lake Travis area with a fully-accredited library to be open within three years. The library will be available to the public without regard to residency and funded from sales tax revenues from the 4B development corporation.

"I support the intent of Senate Bill No. 1154 as filed. Therefore, by executive order, I am directing state agencies to make their printed publications accessible from their websites in an electronic format and furnish to the State Library a list of publications as they become available. "

The vetoed budget items included funding for several higher education research funds and funding for administration of the Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund (TIF) Board after August 31, 2003. The management of any continuing grants will be moved to another agency. The TIF Board has not made any new grants since 2002, and the agency received no funding for any additional grants.

The Legislature will begin the process of reviewing several agencies in September. Agencies up for renewal include the Texas Education Agency, the State Board for Educator Certification, Education Service Centers, the Public Utility Commission, and the Telecommunications Infrastructure Fund Board.

In addition to holding hearings on these agencies, the House is continuing its work on public school finance. For additional information, go to: http://www.house.state.tx.us/committees/415.htm.