tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post6312989688515596976..comments2024-03-25T20:06:39.794-05:00Comments on Grits for Breakfast: Previewing committee highlights from the week aheadGritsforbreakfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-12912100349675305542013-04-22T13:01:36.193-05:002013-04-22T13:01:36.193-05:00Thank you for your responses fellas. I just want t...Thank you for your responses fellas. I just want to get my DL back and then leave Texas. I think I've had enough of this police state. I accept responsibility for what happened but jeez, I think I've been punished enough. No DL - No job. Now bankrupted and damn near homeless, and I haven't even been to court. Lets just hope they pass HB 104 so this nightmare can end. You know the sad thing too is that I can't afford probation fees and all those classes they will make me take so I'll be another non-violent offender sitting in a county jail for God knows how long. But I accept responsibility because I shouldn't have been driving. It was the most stupid idiotic decision I ever made. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-70360932694663563462013-04-22T05:37:09.221-05:002013-04-22T05:37:09.221-05:003:44, prison closings won't be decided for sur...3:44, prison closings won't be decided for sure until the conference committee on the budget. The Senate conferees have been named but not yet the House folks.<br /><br />3:20, it won't retroactively suspend surcharges, but DPS may do another amnesty period before long. That may be your best bet in the near term. Sorry I don't have better news for you right now.<br /><br />11:26, 9:31 is correct, and what you suggest is possible (though the bill is a ways from passage and by no means certain). Otherwise, if you're low income you may qualify to have them waived by the judge or reduced to $250 under the DPS indigency plan. It's also possible you could get them reduced under the "incentive" rules that will roll out this summer encouraging people to pay a lower amount up front.<br /><br />And again, if you're not indigent, your best bet may be if they do another Amnesty program. best,Gritsforbreakfasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-26059197159597142752013-04-21T23:26:11.999-05:002013-04-21T23:26:11.999-05:00@ 09:31 PM - I haven't been convicted - yet. T...@ 09:31 PM - I haven't been convicted - yet. They forced a blood draw and as of today, I have not seen or heard of what they intend to do. The two years comes up in February 2014. So if I hold out until this bill passes, does that mean I can avoid these ridiculous surcharges? Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-30108477694581662242013-04-21T21:31:33.789-05:002013-04-21T21:31:33.789-05:00HB104 would repeal the surcharge when it becomes e...HB104 would repeal the surcharge when it becomes effective, but surcharges assessed under the old law remain in effect...unless they do another forgiveness program for indigence. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-79915437621979224202013-04-21T15:44:00.844-05:002013-04-21T15:44:00.844-05:00Grits, when will we find out about the status of c...Grits, when will we find out about the status of closing Dawson state jail and Mineral Wells? A lot of us are waiting for this since the senate and house disagreed on it. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-30097359274456005552013-04-21T15:20:57.237-05:002013-04-21T15:20:57.237-05:00I was just about to ask you of the status of HB 10...I was just about to ask you of the status of HB 104. I can't figure out how to navigate these bills but this one will impact me. So if it passes the senate and Perry signs off on it, will the surcharges be suspended? I'm in the same boat as many Texans and am scheduled to pay these surcharges in 2014. Does this mean I won't have to pay them? I mean, I can't get a job without a valid license and mine are suspended. I can't afford the attorney fees for an occupational permit so I've been flying under the radar and playing "dodge the cop." I have no clue as to what this bill will do, or not do, for me. Thanks for your time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com