Bag the ban?
A Republican state representative whose district is 260 miles from Austin has filed a bill outlawing the recently enacted ban on single-use disposable bans, citing government overreach.

"This act is just the latest example of government elites trying to step between the business and consumer in an attempt to push forward a misguided nanny-state agenda," said Rep. Drew Springer, R-Muenster.

The city's bag ban began on March 1 and prohibits businesses from giving away plastic, single-use disposable bags, instead requiring stores to make recyclable paper bags available or allow customers to buy cloth bags.

Springer filed his "Shopping Bag Freedom Act" on March 5; it is not certain yet whether it will get a hearing or floor action. The Legislature rarely approves of lawmakers filing legislation that will affect only another member's district.

Loyal opposition

Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, took up the cause of the loyal opposition on the Senate floor March 5 when she argued to include $400 million for schools in an emergency spending bill.

"People in Texas are hurting today over the cuts we made," Davis said.

The Senate passed a $6.6 billion supplemental budget bill that closed a gap in Medicaid funding and included deferred payments to school districts from last session—a couple of budget tactics lawmakers used to balance the budget in 2011.

Citing financial hard times from more than $5 billion in cuts to schools and education last session, Davis tried to add funds to the budget bill but was told by Senate Finance Chairman Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, that there would be open discussion on school funding at a later time.

Davis withdrew her amendment and the supplemental budget bill passed unanimously.

Texting-while-driving ban picking up speed

Legislation that would prohibit the act of texting while driving anywhere in Texas passed a House committee March 5.

The bill by former House Speaker Tom Craddick, R-Midland, would not affect talking on cell phones or using a GPS system.

The ban passed both the House and Senate last session but was vetoed by Gov. Rick Perry, who called it government overreach.

If Craddick can get supermajority support in both chambers on his bill, however, he can override that. The bill is awaiting a committee vote to get onto the House floor for debate.

A sweet idea

A group of first graders from Ford Elementary School in Georgetown came up with the idea of making pecan pie the Official State Pie of Texas—and their local elected officials are helping them achieve that goal.

Rep. Marsha Farney and Sen. Charles Schwertner, both Georgetown Republicans, have filed legislation designating the dessert.

"It's exciting for children to embrace that they know how make a difference and pursue something they care about," Farney said.

Farney's bill is scheduled for a public hearing in the House Culture, Recreation and Tourism Committee at 2 p.m. March 13 in room E2.026. Those unable to attend the hearing, can find a link to it and watch it live here: https://www.house.state.tx.us/video-audio/committee-broadcasts/recent-broadcast/

Quote of the week

"I'm gonna be cremated and I want my ashes spread on Rick Perry's hair."

—Kinky Friedman, musician, writer and former gubernatorial candidate, speaking to a crowd at Poor David's Pub on March 2, and quoted in The Dallas Morning News.