(ROCKWALL, TX – July 16, 2015) The Rockwall Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed State Representative Scott Turner during its Partnership Luncheon on Wednesday at the Rockwall County Courthouse, as Turner gave updates regarding the recent 84th Legislative Session.
Turner described the session as the most conservative to date, with bills being passed increasing homestead exemption from $15,000 to $25,000 and reducing the franchise tax rate for businesses by 25 percent. The homestead exemption was also extended to the surviving spouses of fallen military.
The session also saw legislation passed for an additional $500 million to $800 million, plus more DPS agents, to be sent down to the state border for increased border security. Turner said they wrote legislation to eradicate the invasive, non-native Carrizo Cane plant – which he said makes a great hiding place for criminals – along the Rio Grande River.
“The border is real, the trafficking is real, the cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine is real,” Turner said. “And as your representative, as your advocate, in spite of what the federal government does not want to do, we have to protect Texas.”
A Pastor Protection bill was also passed, which protects religious organizations and individuals from performing marriage ceremonies that violate sincerely-held religious beliefs, along with a Campus Carry bill and House Bill 910 which authorizes individuals to carry a handgun in a visible holster as long as they have a license for it.
“For many years money has been taken out of the state highway fund and put other places where it should not have been,” Turner said. “Now we’ve taken that money and put it back into the state highway fund, and added to it so that we can build roads and people can get to work or church and businesses can strive. This is a huge development that took two sessions, and we got it passed.”
According to Turner, the Legislative Budget Board (LBB) predicted the move will add an additional $3 billion a year to the state highway fund.
Turner said the successes of this past legislative session wouldn’t have been possible without the willingness of voters to voice their opinions, rock the boat and never settle for the status quo.
“To have the most conservative session that we’ve ever seen doesn’t just happen,” Turner said. “Sometimes you have to shine light on darkness. Sometimes you have to be willing to go against the flow. You have to be willing to go against the status quo, because you are all my constituents and status quo isn’t good enough for you, your family, your children, your children’s children and the businesses you represent. And I personally am not willing to stand for status quo or for commonplace; it doesn’t get you anywhere.”
Senator Bob Hall was also slated to speak at the luncheon but was unable to attend due to a medical situation.
OPEN HOUSE
Senator Hall and Representative Turner invite all to an Open House at the Rockwall District Office, 6537 Horizon Rd., Suite B, on Thursday, July 23, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Those interested in attending must RSVP with Drinda Randall at 972-722-3131 or at drinda.randall@senate.state.tx.us.
LEADERSHIP ROCKWALL
Folks interested in becoming a leader within the community are encourage to apply for the Rockwall Chamber’s Leadership Rockwall program, sponsored by the Chamber in 1997 to identify potential community leaders, educate them to acquire an understanding of the critical issues affecting our area and community and provide opportunities for leadership and stewardship in the Rockwall area. To learn more about Leadership Rockwall or to fill out an application, visit rockwallchamber.org.
Story and photos by Austin Wells, Blue Ribbon News staff writer, reporter and photographer.
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