(November 14, 2008)--As the new year approaches lawmakers around Central Texas are gearing up for the 81st session of the Texas Legislature.
Three months ago, lawmakers would have said the upcoming legislative session looked to be routine, but recent events have it on track to be one of the most challenging yet.
"Now with the downturn of the economy, a hurricane hitting our coast, things are a little more complicated from a budget standpoint," District 24 Sen. Troy Fraser said.
The crunch will keep local representatives and senators battling to put their district's priorities first.
"We're going to be able to still have the resources to do what we need to do in Texas and for education and so forth,” District 55 Rep. Ralph Sheffield said.
“At the same time we need to be more transparent and make sure that we're really keeping government spending under control."
Fraser says job development is a top issue, a challenge that will focus on keeping key assets healthy such as Fort Hood and the medical industry.
One has to only drive down I-35 to know transportation funding will remain a strong focus.
In Killeen, legislation has already been filed to fund the creation of the area's first stand-alone public university in Texas A&M-Central Texas.
"There's no permanent structure for that higher education provision anywhere in Central Texas. UT is capped, A&M is capped,” District 54 Rep. Jimmie Don Aycock said.
“It's over a 100 miles to any other real free standing upper level education."
Services for veterans are always a priority. A plan is in the works that would give disabled veterans a full break on property taxes.
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