Legislature in Review

Rep. JIM PITTS says speaker's race raised important issues

June 21, 2007

Editor's note: The following are responses to questions we sent all North Texas lawmakers about the recent session. To see other responses, visit www.dallasnews.com/communityopinions.

Question: In what way did you make the biggest impact during the session?

Answer: I believe the biggest impact I had during the session was running for speaker of the House. I believe my candidacy gave members the opportunity to see that there can be an alternative to the current leadership, and that they should be free to vote their conscience and what is in the best interest of their districts.

Question: What was the Legislature's biggest accomplishment for the state as a whole and for your district?

Answer: While I wish there were more accomplishments to note from this legislative session, there were some notable successes. Reforming the Texas Youth Commission was an urgent piece of business that I believe the Legislature addressed well. It is tragic that it took the horrific stories of abuse suffered by youth in these facilities being made public for these reforms to be enacted. But I believe the reforms enacted will well serve the process of rehabilitating youth offenders.

I was pleased to see retired teachers receive a 13th check from the Teacher's Retirement System. I would have rather seen the state provide a consistent cost-of-living increase, but I believe this is a step in the right direction. Likewise, I am pleased that public school teachers will have the opportunity to receive a pay increase, though I would have preferred the higher amount originally approved by the House.

I was also glad to see our state parks receive a much-needed increase in state funding. Hopefully, this increase will help return our parks system to its former glory.

In terms of the biggest accomplishments for my district, two items stand out. The first is the Legislature's keeping its commitment to provide significant property tax relief. The state funding provided this session should allow homeowners to see a noticeable reduction in their property tax bills.

Second, I believe legislation designed to address the Trans Texas Corridor will give citizens in my district the opportunity to better examine the impact this project will have on their homes and way of life, and allow their voices to be heard in the process.

Question: What was your biggest regret?

Answer: My biggest regret is that the message sent by the membership in January was not heeded by the House leadership. Too much of this session was spent continuing the "business as usual" approach, where certain members loyal to one side were rewarded while others were punished. The biggest victim in all of this was the people's business, with issues of major importance to Texas voters left by the wayside. Legislation to address the issue of illegal immigration never made it to the House floor for a debate. Legislation dealing with appraisal caps never made it out of committee. Legislation providing additional property tax relief was acted upon too late to have much chance of passing. I hope in the future members will be able to work together to address the issues important to Texans rather than fighting to maintain the status quo.

 

Jim Pitts represents House District 10, which includes Ellis and Hill counties. His e-mail address is Jim.Pitts@house.state.tx.us.