Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, my hometown of Austin, Texas, is modestly known as the ``Live Music Capital of the World.'' The title is well justified, from the South by Southwest music festival in the spring, to Austin City Limits on a couple of weekends in October. It is a wonderful place for live music. It is the musicians and those who support them in technical ways-- weekday, weekend, and in between--that make this industry so vital and who contribute so much to our local economy. This piece of legislation is a step in the right direction. There is much more that needs to be done to ensure that our musicians and all who are involved in the creative economy get their fair compensation. I am pleased this step is taken because these are really not only talented and creative people, but small-business people, and they deserve to have the property that they generate--their talent, their music, that adds so much joy to our lives--fairly compensated. This is a good step forward, and I certainly support the legislation.”