AUSTIN — Republicans made clear their intent Monday to slash taxes for businesses, tighten laws on those in the country illegally and allow open carry of handguns, as lawmakers began introducing measures for the Texas Legislature to consider in January.
But cutting taxes could leave a multibillion dollar hole in the state budget — making it difficult to increase funding in areas such as transportation and education, as many promised in their just-concluded campaigns.
“It’s going to be a very unpredictable session, and the potential for it to be volatile is high,” said Republican consultant Matt Mackowiak, noting changes in leadership and differences between the House and Senate.
Bills filed Monday show some split in how Republicans would approach changes to the business franchise tax, which brings in nearly $5 billion annually. Sen. Charles Schwert-ner, R-Georgetown, would allow businesses that earn less than $5 million per year to be exempt from the tax; currently, the threshold is $1 million in annual revenue. Sen. Craig Estes, R-Wichita Falls, proposed a bill that would repeal the levy, also known as the margins tax.
Lt. Gov.-elect Dan Patrick, who will preside over the Senate, has vowed to reduce property taxes, offering an increase in the state’s sales tax to make up for lost revenue for schools.
Democrats, badly outnumbered in both chambers, raised issues such as a minimum wage increase, approving same-sex marriage and expanding Medicaid.
In all, lawmakers filed 355 bills on the first day of the two-month pre-filling period. But few will make it to the new governor, Republican Greg Abbott. In the last session, about 25 percent of bills filed became law. Here’s a look at some of the measures offered Monday:
Wages
Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, and Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer, D-San Antonio, proposed a minimum wage boost to $10.10 per hour, up from $7.25. Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, proposed a bill to extend the period in which women can file lawsuits over pay discrimination, a measure that Gov. Rick Perry vetoed last year.
Health and safety
Rep. Mary Gonzalez, D-Clint, proposed lowering the age requirement to be eligible for the Texas Women’s Health Program from 18 to 15.
Another Gonzalez bill would commission a study on Dallas’ domestic violence program to determine if it should be implemented at the state level.
Sen. Juan Hinojosa, D-McAllen, proposed legislation to regulate vapor products the same as cigarettes and ban them from school properties.
Immigration
Sen.-elect Don Huffines, R-Dallas, filed legislation to require the state to invoice the federal government for reimbursement of the costs resulting from illegal immigration. A bill by Republican Rep. Tony Dale of Cedar Park would require state agencies to use the federal “E-verify program” to check employee immigration status.
Education
Republican Rep. Dan Flynn of Van proposed allowing schools to post the Ten Commandments in classrooms. Sen. Jose Rodriguez, D-El Paso, proposed eliminating from sexual education material literature that calls homosexuality an unacceptable lifestyle.
Texting
A former House speaker, Rep. Tom Craddick, R-Midland, again filed a bill that would institute a statewide a ban on texting for all drivers — a measure passed in 2011 but vetoed by Perry.
Guns
Rep. Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford, introduced a bill that would allow people to carry handguns without obtaining a concealed handgun license.
mbarnett@dallasnews.com;
bmartin@dallasnews.com
Follow Marissa Barnett on Twitter at @marissambarnett and Brittney Martin at @beedotmartin.
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