By SHEILAH PEPPER
The Gazette Staff
Austin: The wrangling over a debate during the gubernatorial campaign continues. Governor Rick Perry has said he would agree to a debate with Democrat opponent Bill White when White releases his tax returns for the years he served as deputy secretary of the U.S. Energy Department and chairman of the Texas Democratic Party.
White not expected to do this so the debate stand-off goes on.
State-wide sales tax revenues appear to have stabilized. These revenues have now grown for four consecutive months. July revenue for the state was up 2.2 percent.
When lawmakers return to Austin in January, they can count on a major debate on whether to give TxDOT authority to partner with private toll firms to build roads and paid HOV lanes. That authority expired when the Legislature, during the 2009 session, did not renew it. TxDOT now wants this authority returned to the department.
States agencies have been requested to submit proposals to cut their respective budgets by 10 percent for the next two-year budget cycle. However, how much will actually be cut depends on what the legislators decide when they convene in January. Cuts need to be made because the state is facing a possible budget shortfall, with estimates ranging from nine to 17 billion.
On August 19th, Gov. Perry proposed new laws to stiffen penalties for human trafficking in the state. He also renewed his criticism of the federal government for failing to keep the Texas-Mexico border secure.
Perry wants lawmakers to make the "worst" traffickers subject to first-degree felony charges. These could carry up to 99 years in prison.
The state enacted a human trafficking law in 2003. Last year, the Governor signed a measure that created a statewide human trafficking task force, attached to the Texas attorney general's office.
The Governor's office is making $500,000 in grants to help victims of human trafficking. His office will also provide nearly $300,000 to expand the trafficking task force to help with the prosecution of cases.
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