Legislative Update


DERRICK OSOBASE TSEU Political Organizer	Legislative Updates Every week during the 82nd Legislative session, we will be sending out updates on what’s happening at the Capital, in the budget, and on issues of importance for state workers and TSEU members. These are the reports from the legislature so far:
		SPECIAL SESSION June 2011 MAY 24, 2011 MAY 3, 2011	APRIL 12 , 2011 TSEU Lobby Day: great job! Now what? State worker Furlough Bill pending in committee Rep. Callegari attacks longevity pay! Alert: Be on the watch for a Survey by Texas Public Employees Association
	March 18, 2011 Furlough Bill filed by the Chair of House Appropriations committee Mini Lobby Days: HHSC, DFPS, DSHS Funding for FY2011 and the Rainy Day Fund Sunset Bill Proposes Merger of Texas Youth Commission and Texas Juvenile Probation Commission	March 4, 2011 A Tough Union for Tough Times Balancing the Texas Budget with unfunded mandates to Texas communities TDCJ Lay offs First Shot fired— bill was filed to convert new employee’s pension to a “defined contribution” plan State Employee Healthcare Under Attack: Higher Premiums and Health Savings Accounts Member Commentary: “We are all Wisconsin!” GOP legislators call for a balanced approach to the budget despite Tea Party rhetoric	February 22, 2011 House Committees Assigned TSEU testifies at the Capitol Mini Lobby Days Bills to Watch – Pension and Healthcare
	.FEBRUARY 8 TSEU Mini Lobby Days: Parole The Senate Hears from the Public Impact of HB 1 on Group Health Insurance Benefits Legislators are saying the only option is to cut services, but do they really mean it? TSEU’s plan to Fight Back against the Cuts Rep. Villarreal’s Petition Get involved/Stay in the loop	FEBRUARY 1 Get text updates on your cell phone Senate Bill 1: Second Verse, Same as the First State Worker Pensions State Worker and Retiree Health Care Continues to be discussed at the Legislature Legislators zero out SKIP for CHIP Senate Committees Senate Finance Committee Hearings: Deficit Continues to Grow Bills to Watch	JANUARY 24 First Day of Session, TSEU at the Capitol The Proposed Budget Bills to watch TSEU and Texas Forward: A Balanced Approach to a Balanced Budget!