MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON FINANCE

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

9:00 a.m.

Capitol Extension, Room E1.036

 

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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, August 19, 2008, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas.

 

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MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Steve Ogden Senator Judith Zaffirini Senator Kip Averitt Senator Robert Duncan Senator Kevin Eltife Senator Chris Harris Senator Juan Hinojosa Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. Senator Jane Nelson Senator Royce West Senator John Whitmire Senator Tommy Williams		Senator Bob Deuell Senator Troy Fraser Senator Florence Shapiro

 

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m.  The following business was transacted: 

 

Senator Ogden and Committee members welcomed Senator Harris to the Finance Committee.

 

The roll was called, and a quorum was established.

 

The Committee heard invited testimony regarding the Committee's interim charge to evaluate the effectiveness of existing state tax incentives that encourage employers to provide health coverage to their employees, including tax incentives under the revised state business tax, and make recommendations for additional deductions or credits that increase the number of employees covered by health care insurance.  Witnesses testifying and registering on the subject are shown on the attached list. 

 

The chair opened the floor for public testimony.  There being none, the chair closed public testimony.

 

Senator Ogden laid out a tentative schedule for the remaining interim hearings.

 

There being no further business, at 12:52 p.m. Senator Ogden moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Senator Steve Ogden, Chair

 

 

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Amy Jeter, Clerk