Last Tuesday, the House spent most of the day (and evening) debating HB 500 by Representative Harvey Hilderbran (R-Kerrville), which is an omnibus franchise tax bill that started out giving $400 million in franchise tax relief including making the $1 million small business exemption permanent. After hours of debate and 24 floor amendments were adopted, the amount of tax relief climbed to $667 million. About the small business exemption, Chairman

HB 1503 by Rep. John Kuempel (R-Seguin) relates to the appointment of building contractors to certain trade advisory boards of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.  HB 1503 was voted favorably from the Senate Committee of Business and Commerce and now moves on for consideration by the full Senate. HB 1503, as substituted, would mandate that a builder serve on the Electrical Safety and Licensing Advisory Board and the Air Conditioning

North Texas voters went to the polls last weekend and decided more than 300 local races. However, one critical race for Dallas City Council District 14 is heading to a runoff next month. "When it comes to neighborhood development and economic growth, some candidates will stop at nothing to curtail it, while Bobby Abtahi offers a smart, forward-thinking vision," said Dallas Division President, Mark Dann. "If you live in District 14 or know someone