Armando Walle Shoots … Scores!

Armando Walle may be serving his first term in the Texas House of Representatives but that does not mean that he is sitting on the sidelines. Honored with the distinction of “Freshman of the Year” by the Women’s Health Caucus, Walle was able to sneak two bills by the veto-happy Republican Governor Rick Perry.

House Bill 1633 and 2113 will take effect on September 1, 2009 and serve as a major accomplishment for Walle who represents House District 140, located in Houston.

House Bill 1633 is “a comprehensive graffiti reform bill aimed at protecting the victims of graffiti crime and increasing penalties for graffiti offenders.” The bill will require a minimum number of community service hours and compensation to property owners by the culprits.

House Bill 2113 will recognize September 11 as a paid holiday for fire fighters “in remembrance of the bravery of the peace officers who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.”

I am curious as to why Representative Walle restricted this bill to include only fire fighters … excluding police officers and paramedics. Perhaps, they have already been acknowledged but that would just require the prior bill to be amended. Maybe it was a financial issue on the local level nonetheless, kudos to Armando Walle for doing his part in the 2009 Texas Legislative Session.