Legislative Update

HB 727, OUR HELMET bILL WILL BE VOTED ON THE HOUSE FLOOR TUESDAY THE 8TH.
WE NEED ANYONE WHO HAS THE TIME TO BE PRESENT IN THE GALLERY. I am scheduled to leave Tuesday morning for the NCOM Convention but will delay my departure to attend this vote and then drive all night to make Charlotte by Wednesday evening.
We had a very sparse meeting yesterday for our general Membership meeting.
with only 160 votes cast in the election Breeze edged out Dee for the position of state chair by two votes.
A new District Advisor for 14 and 15 were appointed by the chair and approved by the District Advisors. District 4 is yet to be determined.
The Constitutional Amendment was approved bestowing upon Sputnik the position of Chairman Emeritus by unanimous vote.
A Special Membership meeting was called to coincide with the August 18th Advisors Meeting to look at making changes to the By-Laws. There will also be a vote taken on the recommendation by the Advisors to increase the dues to $30 per year for single membership and $50 per couple.
Thanks to those who attended the meeting. We had requested that one officer from each chapter be present but didn't even come close. Thanks to El Paso, our chapter that is the farthest from the meeting place for making the effort to send an officer. Your dedication is greatly appreciated. Hopefully the next one will be better represented
MULTIPLE EFFORTS TO DELIVER TOLL ROAD MORATORIUM BILL TO GOVERNORS OFFICE ARE UNSUCCESSFUL
Moratorium supporters checking to see if Governor for the Day, Senator Mario Gallegos can receive it on Saturday
Rep. Wayne Smith (R-Baytown) tells Quorum Report that multiple efforts to deliver HB1892, the private equity toll road moratorium bill to Governor Perry's office today were frustrated by an absent clerk. Multiple efforts to reach the clerk failed because he left early.
The urgency in delivering the bill is because the clock starts running on a gubernatorial veto when the bill is time stamped as having been received. Once the governor vetoes the bill as expected, it will be a test of legislative will to see if 2/3s actually holds to over ride the veto.
Sources in the governor's office dismiss any conspiratorial explanations and say they will receive the bill on Monday, plenty of time for both the veto and the possible over ride. Nevertheless, the delay gives the Governor and his allies an additional three days to round up votes to block the over ride.
However, an unusual wrinkle popped up this evening. Sources tell us that supporters of the bill are looking into delivering it to Senator Mario Gallegos (D-Houston) tomorrow, while he is Governor for the Day. The spot is generally considered honorary for one senator each session. It requires both the Governor and the Lt. Governor to be outside the state.
The question is whether or not Gallegos' office can receive the bill and time stamp it, therefore starting the clock running.
ã Copyright May 4, 2007 by Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved
Sputnik
Chairman Emeritus TMRA 2