Retiring Rep. Carl Isett (R-Lubbock) has decided to vacate his House seat effective May 31st. Isett listed travel plans and his desire to give the new representative for House District 84 seniority as reasons for his early resignation. Governor Perry will call a special election in order to fill the remainder of Isett’s current term. Republican John Frullo and Democrat Carol Morgan will compete for the seat’s full term in the November general election.
Yesterday, Gov. Rick Perry, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Speaker Joe Straus directed the Legislative Budget Board (LBB) staff to notify state agencies to immediately implement budget savings proposals requested by leadership earlier this year. As a result of this action, savings to the current 2010-2011 biennial budget will total approximately $1.2 billion. Back in January, state agencies were asked to identify 5 percent cuts from
their current general revenue budgets. Agencies ended up identifying $1.7 billion in potential savings but the leadership spared cuts of $500 million, mostly from the Department of Criminal Justice and the Higher Education Coordinating Board.
Rep. Al Edwards (D-Houston) has withdrawn his election challenge regarding Borris Miles narrow victory in the March Democratic primary race for House District 146. Miles becomes the representative-elect as no other individual filed for the seat.