HB132 Get the Word Out

[LRG]

My Lodge had an issue with this a few years ago. We approached our Council to have the same rights as other "charitable organisations" in relation to our rates and there was a woman Lord Mayor at the time who tried to defeat it based on sexism. She labeled us........."a men only organisation".
One of our Brethren was present at the meeting and spoke up and explain what we represent and the good work done.


She lost........we won.

Thats great. The day will come when all will know the charity and fellowship in which the craft donates.

 

[Wingnut]

Brothers MWGM Counts has asked us to not contact our Reps. As you know he was in the Legislature for awhile and knows the ropes. Also the main sponsor of the bill has had an accident and broke some bones. The bill is stalled until he is able to be there to speak on it if needed. It is coming up against recess however so it may lay over again. If you havent seen the full text they have added a LOT of organizations to the bill, not just Masonry in the hopes that more congress critters will have a special interest of theirs on the list and it will sail right on through. (from my understanding anyway).

 

[LRG]

Thanks Bro Wyndell

 

[JTM]

Too bad this is how our lawmakers vote in Austin!

YouTube - Texas Legislation

now now now. that's often misunderstood.

in texas, legislatures usually sit organized via caucus, not party. voting for eachother is acceptable to me, in that case. they know how they are going to vote on certain issues.

abuses of that system are quickly noticed and fixed.

when i saw this video a while back, i immediately called up my uncle, a lobbyist for hunters. he said that it's common and explained it to me.

 

[owls84]

How could this be acceptable at any rate? If you are voting for someone else it is breaking the rules. Is it not? Regardless of how common it happens. Plus as you see in the video part has nothing to do with who they vote for. I think they need to track how everyone votes. Once people are allowed to see how they vote on certain issues I bet you will see a change. However, for that to happen our trusty congressmen and women would have to allow that and why would they. TOTAL BS if you ask me.

 

[Bro Mike]

Nuts to that. If they want a vote, let them show up and vote for themselves.

now now now. that's often misunderstood.

 

[JTM]

How could this be acceptable at any rate? If you are voting for someone else it is breaking the rules. Is it not? Regardless of how common it happens. Plus as you see in the video part has nothing to do with who they vote for. I think they need to track how everyone votes. Once people are allowed to see how they vote on certain issues I bet you will see a change. However, for that to happen our trusty congressmen and women would have to allow that and why would they. TOTAL BS if you ask me.

to me, that's 2 different issues. they are voting how they want to vote. their caucus members are voting for them.

recording their votes is always a good thing, however, so i'm all for that.

Nuts to that. If they want a vote, let them show up and vote for themselves.

sure, that works too. honestly, they got a seat, they might as well be there to vote.

 

[Robert Marshall]

Thats great. The day will come when all will know the charity and fellowship in which the craft donates.

... and the world at large convinced of its good effect.

 

[Wingnut]

Looks like its stuck in committee

 

[LRG]

They should do the job for which they were hired and paid for. No excuses.

 

[nick1368]

Any word on the status of the bill?

 

[Wingnut]

It looks like its still stuck BUT there is a similar bill from the Senate side... SB 475 that looks to be moving along and is on the General State Calendar.

 

[Wingnut]

SB 475 passed the Senate, Bill passed out of the House committee on Ways & Means with vote of 8 Ayes, 0 Nays, 0 Present Not Voting, 3 Absent. Next step is the house vote, which it was on the Calendar for on 5/21 so Im not sure whats going on right now...

 

[Bro. Kurt P.M.]

The Ad Valorem Bill (HB2555) passed

This just in from the Grand Secretary Tom Guest's office:

The Ad Valorem Bill (HB2555) passed the legislative process at 6:30 p.m. yesterday and is on its way to the Governor's office!

click here for more info

 

[Wingnut]

isnt that bill the one for low income housing?

 

[LRG]

Inside states that Gov. will sign as well.
Great news

 

[Jamesb]

I guess we will have to let someone move into our lodges to get the benefit from this?

 

[owls84]

From my prilimanary reading they have just changed it to include anyone that has purchased property for the use of low-income housing "AND" charitable organizations.

 

[fairbanks1363pm]

?

so in a nut shell what does this mean for masonic lodges?

 

[owls84]

As of January 1, 2010 we will no longer have to pay property taxes. Keep in mind you will pay for the year 2009. I know this will save Lake Worth 1410 almost $4000 and no telling how much for Fort Wort 148.