Key Report, Articles, and New Coalition Update

Hi everyone, it’s Ana, hope you’re all having a great day.

I received a notice today that an important report has been posted on TDCJ’s website. During Texas’ 2009 state legislative session, lawmakers passed H.B. 1711, relating to requiring the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to establish a comprehensive reentry and reintegration plan for offenders released or discharged from a correctional facility.

The report features the progress of the bill’s implementation. If you are interested in re-entry issues, please check it out!

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Also, below are two interesting articles that Grits readers may be interested in:

• Texas sex offender registry in danger?

• Lawmakers Urge a Change in How Inmates are Counted

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Finally, the website of a newly formed coalition called Texas Forward: A Balanced Approached to a Balanced Budget is up and running. This coalition, of which TCJC is a member, was created to address Texas’ pending budget shortfall, which will have serious ramifications on funding for public services and on the ultimate well being of the people who live in our state.

As we head into the next legislative session, we are concerned about how our leadership will address this critical shortfall. We have already heard much talk about cuts, which means funding for vital services in our state, will be in jeopardy.

In response to the short- and long-term deficits, Texas Forward has coalesced around the following Principles:

1. A truly balanced budget adequately funds today's needed public services and prepares Texas for future demands caused by changing demographics, technology,
and economic competition.

2. A truly balanced budget is supported by taxes that are imposed equitably on families of different income levels and businesses in different sectors.

3. Revenue to fund a truly balanced budget is generated from sources that will grow along with the growth in need for public services.

4. Shuffling money among under-funded programs and shifting the cost of public services off the state budget conceals the true need for more state resources.

5. A truly balanced budget is developed in an open and transparent process.

A growing list of organizations have become Texas Forward members because they know that the budget cannot be balanced on cuts alone. You can visit Texas Forward today to learn more about the 2011 Legislative Agenda and the activities leading up to January 2011.

You can also follow Texas Forward on Facebook and Twitter!

I encourage you to get involved to help us ensure a better future for Texas.