July 7, 2000

Nearly 97 percent of Texas households have turned in their U.S. Census questionnaires by mail, e-mail or with the help of a census taker.

The ultimate goal is to have all households counted by July 7.

Texas’ 96.5 percent is above the national average of 95 percent, according to the U.S. Census Bureau office in Dallas. The return rates for rural households across the state is even higher in some areas, said officials.

Population figures drive the share of state and federal dollars to communities for public facilities, services and municipal functions, as well as determine political boundaries for state and Congressional officeholders.

The Census Bureau estimated it missed 1.4 percent of the U.S. population in 1990.

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Lobbyists contribute to lawmakers’ campaigns all the time. But recently, State Rep. Fred Bosse of Houston put a different twist on a fund-raising request, according to the Austin American-Statesman.

Rep. Bosse sent a letter asking Texas lobbyists to kick in $50 each to offset his cost of attending a three-week course at Harvard University in July that includes discussions on “ethical and professional responsibilities of leadership.”

He said the state will not pay for the course, which is aimed at helping state and local executives improve their leadership skills.

“It occurs to me that the burden for improving my ethics should rightfully fall on those who have tried hardest to undermine them, the lobby,” Rep. Bosse wrote. “I figure that $50 each from the 200 or so lobbyists who have posed the biggest problem would do the trick and also fall below the state’s very ethical reporting limits.”

Under state law, officials don’t have to report political contributions of $50 or less.

TFB was not among those that received Rep. Bosse’s letter.

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During the ’95 session, TFB supported efforts by State Rep. Bob Turner of Coleman to put more fire and rescue equipment into the hands of volunteer fire departments. Rep. Turner’s HB 680, or “helping hands” bill, was passed and signed into law. It allows those companies or entities with surplus or used fire fighting equipment to donate the equipment to the Texas Forest Service without fear of a liability lawsuit because of a defect in the equipment.

The Texas Forest Service accepts the donation and makes necessary improvements to bring the equipment up to standards. The equipment is then made available to volunteer fire departments.

Here’s an update: The program is working wonderfully.

State Rep. David Swinford of Dumas reported in Abilene at the recent Joint Interim Committee of Agriculture Policy that in the last 30 months the Texas Forest Service has spent $22,854 to collect and distribute $6,168,000 worth of used or surplus equipment to rural fire fighters.

That’s exactly what TFB hoped when we lobbied in support of the bill.

This information is compiled by the TFB legislative staff in Austin—Gary Joiner and Billy Howe. They may be reached at 512/472-8288.