House Representative

Martinez Fischer, Trey

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 07/18/2005

Rebel With a Cause: Rep. Martinez Fischer Finishes Strong this 79th Session

Austin, TX - As the session drew to a close, Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer (San Antonio) emerged as the rebel with a cause. Rep. Martinez Fischer stood on principle and got things done.


Fighting Crime.
One of the first things Rep. Martinez Fischer did was build upon his reputation for being tough on crime. This session Rep. Martinez Fischer focused his attention on internet sexual predators that prey on innocent children. Incensed by the “fantasy” defense loophole which allowed sexual predators to escape conviction, Rep. Martinez Fischer successfully closed that loophole by eliminating the fantasy defense often relied on by sexual predators (as an amendment to HB 2228).


Demanding Accountability.
On February 9, 2005, Rep. Martinez Fischer requested a Comptroller review of ERCOT in light of corruption charges and subsequent indictments of ERCOT officials who have been accused of bilking $2 million dollars from ratepayers. Comptroller Strayhorn immediately began a financial review of the troubled agency upon receipt of Rep. Martinez Fischer’s request.


ERCOT's questionable structure allowed them to operate without significant oversight. In fact the Public Utility Commission (PUC), the agency charged with oversight authority, found it impossible to demand accountability from ERCOT. In light of the criminal investigation and lack of appropriate oversight, Rep. Martinez Fischer introduced and passed out of the House the following:

• Creation of ERCOT Task Force to monitor ERCOT and oversee the implementation of best practices (amendment to SB 743)
• Subjecting ERCOT to the Texas Open Records Act (amendments to SB 743 and HB 1177)


Although, the legislation did not become law, Rep. Martinez Fischer was responsible for making ERCOT part of the major policy discussions this session. Moreover, Rep. Martinez Fischer’s request for a financial review of ERCOT has contributed to the on-going investigation of ERCOT by the Department of Public Safety, Office of the Attorney General, and the Travis and Williamson County District Attorney’s Office.


Defending Texas Families.
Although payday loan companies sought to charge annual interest rates of up to 780% and exploit borrowers who found themselves in desperate financial situations, Rep. Martinez Fischer successfully ended those chances with a point of order on HB 846. "It is necessary to stop predatory institutions from preying on Texas families in need of financial assistance,” said Rep. Martinez Fischer. Protecting Texas families was an integral part of Rep. Martinez Fischer's legislative agenda this session.


In addition, Rep. Martinez Fischer as a joint House Sponsor advanced a bi-partisan measure allowing Texas hospitals to offer discounts for the uninsured (SB 500).


Delivering on Education.
In the 78th Legislative Session, Rep. Martinez Fischer passed a floor amendment to the General Appropriations Bill (HB 1) to replace outdated textbooks and instructional materials for English as a Second Language (ESL). In spite of Legislative directive to fund ESL textbooks, the Texas Education Agency did not fully comply.


Rep. Martinez Fischer kept his promise to his constituents and worked closely with Chairman Jim Pitts to see that $50 million were allocated in the emergency appropriations bill (HB 10). Chairman Pitts acknowledged Rep. Martinez Fischer’s diligence for the appropriation during the floor debate on HB 10. Rep. Martinez Fischer’s insistence that funds be placed in the emergency appropriations bill (as opposed to the general fund) will result in new ESL textbook and instructional materials being made available when school begins this fall. Had Rep. Martinez Fischer not pushed to have the textbooks included in the emergency fund, the children would not have received the textbooks this year. Instead, Rep. Martinez Fischer delivered on education for the children of Texas.


Providing Spiritual Guidance.
Each and every day, there were policy battles being fought in both legislative committee and on the House floor. In the wake of such legislative tumult this session, Rep. Martinez Fischer found moral grounding in the Bible and distributed a weekly moral message for Members to consider as they debated issues affecting Texas families. These moral messages were designed to make Bible passages relevant to today by reminding Members of their daily responsibility to the poor and vulnerable of this state. Rep. Martinez Fischer hoped that, by providing some spiritual guidance, Members would "save the needy from the sword of their mouth, from the hand of the mighty. So the poor have hope, and injustice shuts its mouth" (Job 5:15-16).


In the end, Rep. Martinez Fischer emerged as the rebel with a cause: to defend Texas families and get things done no matter what. A rebel with a cause, Rep. Martinez Fischer stuck to his guns and finished strong this 79th Legislative session.


Representative Trey Martinez Fischer (San Antonio) is serving his third Legislative term in the Texas House of Representatives. He is on the Civil Practices and State Affairs Committees.


Contact: Tanya C. Vazquez
512.463.0616 office

Texas House of Representatives