Lance Gooden: Austin Update

The following is a press release from State Rep. Lance Gooden.

Dear Friends,

The legislative session has begun and we are anticipating an increase in workload in the coming weeks as committee assignments are announced. As I promised in my recent campaign, the budget for the upcoming two years will once again be balanced without raising taxes. It is my expectation that some of the funding cuts to essential state services, such as public education, will be restored. I will also continue to fight to ensure increased transparency in the budgeting process so Texas taxpayers can better understand how their tax dollars are spent. Over the coming months you will likely read a great deal about the budget and the expected revenue surplus that special interests are now trying to get their hands on. I will continue to work to cut more fat in the budget while restoring funding to areas that our communities need most.

Many residents of House District 4 have contacted me with their concerns over the recent gun control measures that may be forced upon us by Washington. It is too early to determine what legislation will have “legs” and be the key 2nd Amendment legislation this session in Austin, but I’m confident we will pass a strong bill that reaffirms Texans’ continued support of the right to bear arms and our growing discontent with the federal government’s desire to interfere in our lives.

The Legislature is notoriously slow in the first month of the session before things really pick up after committees come out and bills are finally heard for debate. The link below explains a lot of that, if you’re interested. http://www.kutnews.org/post/2013-texas-legislature-musical

If you plan to be in Austin in the coming months, please let our office know if we can help in any way with planning your trip. My updates will be more frequent when we begin to hear bills and there’s more action in Austin. I appreciate your continued prayers and support and look forward to keeping in touch with you regularly throughout the legislative session.