AUSTIN - Special sessions of the Texas Legislature usually are 30 days long, but the first called session of the 81st Texas Legislature lasted only two days, beginning July 1 and ending July 2.

The House and Senate passed just two bills, House Bill I and Senate Bill 2, and adjourned. HB I authorizes the Texas Transpor-tation Commission - a body that oversees the Texas Department of Transportation - to issue up to $2 billion in general obligation bonds to fund state highway improvement projects.

The voters of Texas approved the issuance of those bonds via constitutional amendment in the fall of 2007. Passage of HB I completes the statutory process, allowing the sale of bonds to move forward. The state comptroller is required to pay the principal and interest and any costs related to the bonds.

SB 2, the Sunset "safety net" bill, extends by two years the life of five state agencies: the Texas Department of Transportation, the Texas Department of Insurance, the Texas Racing Commission, the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation and the Office of Public Insurance Council.

Gov. Rick Perry expressed pleasure over the fact that lawmakers did what he asked in breathing new life into those state agencies and passing the bill funding state highway constru-ction.

Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, who like Perry predicted a very short special session, praised lawma-kers for getting the work done fast.

Lawmakers, however, did not pass a third Item on the governor's call. HB 3 would have extended the authority of the TxDOT and a regional mobility authority to use "Comprehensive Develop-ment Agreements" to design, finance, build and maintain toll roads.

Perry's statement upon adjournment of the special session: with more than 1,000 people moving to Texas each day and a growing economy, improving transportation in our state continues to be a top priority of mine.

"I had hoped to reduce uncertainty regarding several major transportation projects across the state by extending the Comprehensive Development Agreement authority for local and state transportation agencies.

"Although the CDA bill did not pass, we will continue to work with legislators and local officials to find transportation solutions for our state," Perry said.

No-vote urged on energy act

U.S. House Resolution 2454, titled the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, is captioned as follows: "to create clean energy jobs, achieve energy independence, reduce global warming pollution and transition to a clean energy economy."

But, in a letter dated June 30, Texas Railroad commissioners Elizabeth Ames Jones, Victor G. Carrillo and Michael L. Williams urge Texas' U.S. Sens. Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn to vote against passage of the bill authored by U.S. Reps. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., and Edward Markey, D-Mass.

Their letter says the bill would "disproportionately and drastically negatively impact Texas jobs, economy, and above all, every Texas energy consumer."

Their letter also states, "in layman's terms, 'increased federal revenues' means 'new taxes' on the American public-almost $850 billion of new taxes. The bottom line: Cap and Trade will cost Texans jobs and money."

Waxman said, "Our goal is to strengthen our economy by making America the world leader in new clean energy and energy efficiency technologies."

Grants will help feed Texans

Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples announced that $2 million in grants is available for nonprofit organizations to buy excess vegetables and fruit produced in Texas.

The funds come through the state agriculture department's Texans Feeding Texans program.

Grant funds must be used to purchase and donate agricultural products to food banks or any charitable organization that feeds hungry Texans, Staples said.

Remember to hold your nose The Texas Department of State Health Services on July 1 publicized these precautions to Texans: Never swim in stagnant water, and hold your nose or use nose clips when skiing, jet skiing or jumping into any water.

The reason is PAM, or Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis, a potentially fatal disease caused by Naegleria fowleri, an ameba the health agency says is assumed to be present in all rivers, lakes, ponds, tanks and streams.