MINUTES 
                                           
                            SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE 
                              Tuesday, April 27, 2004 
                                     9:00 a.m. 
                           Capitol Extension, Room E1.036 
                                           
                                       ***** 
                                           
         Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule  
         11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Finance was  
         held on Tuesday, April 27, 2004, in the Capitol Extension, Room  
         E1.036, at Austin, Texas. 
          
                                       ***** 
                                           
         MEMBERS PRESENT:                        MEMBERS ABSENT: 
         Senator Steve Ogden                     None 
         Senator Judith Zaffirini 
         Senator Kip Averitt 
         Senator Gonzalo Barrientos 
         Senator Kim Brimer 
         Senator Bob Deuell 
         Senator Robert Duncan 
         Senator Kyle Janek 
         Senator Jane Nelson 
         Senator Florence Shapiro 
         Senator Eliot Shapleigh 
         Senator Todd Staples 
         Senator Royce West 
         Senator John Whitmire 
         Senator Tommy Williams 
                                           
                                       ***** 
                                           
         The Chair called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.  There being  
         a quorum present, the following business was transacted:   
                              
         The Committee heard invited and public testimony on the  
         simplification and expansion of the sales tax.  Witnesses  
         testifying and registering on the topic are shown on the  
         attached list. 
          
          At 10:30 a.m. Senator Zaffirini assumed the chair.   
          
         At 10:33 a.m. Senator Ogden resumed the chair.  
          
         At 11:44 a.m. Senator Ogden moved that the Committee stand  
         recessed until 12:30 p.m.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 
         The Chair reconvened the meeting at 12:34 p.m. 
          
         The Committee heard invited and public testimony on video  
         lottery terminals.  Witnesses registering and testifying on the  
         topic are shown on the attached list.   
  
         At 1:55 p.m. Senator Ogden moved that the Committee stand  
         recessed until 30 minutes upon adjournment of the Senate.   
         Without objection, it was so ordered. 
          
         The Chair reconvened the meeting at 3:00 p.m. 
          
         The Committee continued hearing invited and public testimony on  
         video lottery terminals. 
          
         At 5:09 p.m. Senator Ogden moved that the Committee stand at  
         ease.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 
          
         The Chair reconvened the meeting at 5:49 p.m. 
          
         The Committee heard invited and public testimony on tobacco  
         taxes.  Witnesses registering and testifying on the topic are  
         shown on the attached list. 
          
         The Committee heard public testimony on revenue options for  
         public school finance.  Witnesses registering and testifying on  
         the topic are shown on the attached list. 
          
         There being no further business, at 7:02 p.m. Senator Ogden  
         moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of  
         the chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered.   
          
         ______________________ 
         Senator Steve Ogden, Chair 
          
         ______________________ 
         Amy Jeter, Clerk