As we approach Easter Sunday, Christians across East Texas and around the world are reminded of the hope and renewal that comes with the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the Gospel of John, we read: “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.’” (John 11:25).
This verse serves as a powerful reminder that even in uncertain times, faith gives us strength, purpose, and the promise of new beginnings. Easter is a time for families and friends to gather, for churches to celebrate, and for all of us to reflect on the blessings we enjoy in this great country and across our East Texas communities.
With that, here’s an update from your State Capitol…
Capitol Update
This week, Speaker of the House Dustin Burrows released the official interim charges for the Texas House of Representatives, marking the beginning of the work that takes place between legislative sessions. Because the Texas Legislature only meets in regular session every two years, the interim is an important time for committees to study key issues, hold hearings, and prepare recommendations so that when lawmakers return to Austin next January, we are ready to act on well-developed solutions.
Each House committee is assigned specific topics to review during the interim, and those charges guide the work that will take place over the coming months. Committees hear testimony from Texans across the state, gather input from industry experts, and examine the policies that impact our economy, our natural resources, and our rural communities. This process allows lawmakers to fully study complex issues and helps ensure that when the Legislature reconvenes, decisions are based on careful review rather than rushed debate.
One of the first committees to begin its work this interim is the House Committee on Agriculture & Livestock. The work of this committee is especially important for East Texas, where agriculture is not only a major part of our economy, but a way of life that has been passed down for generations. The discussions that take place in this committee room have real and direct consequences for the farmers, ranchers, timber producers, and agricultural businesses that keep our region strong.
Across East Texas, families depend on cattle, poultry, timber, hay, and row crops to make a living, and state policy plays a significant role in whether those operations succeed or struggle. The Agriculture & Livestock Committee has been charged with examining the long-term stability of Texas agriculture and identifying ways the state can better support the men and women who feed and clothe our nation. Farmers and ranchers today are facing rising input costs, supply chain challenges, and increased competition from foreign imports, and when those pressures grow, rural communities feel the impact first.
Another focus this interim will be the preservation of farm and ranch land. As Texas continues to grow, more agricultural land is being lost to development, and that trend can have lasting consequences for East Texas. Keeping working lands in production is critical not only for our economy, but for our heritage and our way of life. Programs designed to support land conservation and keep family farms in operation will be reviewed to ensure they are working as intended and providing real benefit to rural Texans.
The committee will also examine the broader economic challenges facing rural Texas. When agriculture is strong, our small towns are strong. Local businesses, schools, and county governments all depend on the stability that agriculture provides, which is why the work of this committee carries such importance for East Texas.
In the months ahead, House committees will continue their work on a wide range of issues, and I will be following those discussions closely to make sure the voices of East Texans are heard. The interim may not always receive much attention, but it is one of the most important parts of the legislative process because it allows us to prepare, study, and get the facts before new laws are written.
The mobile office is on the road again in April, and our District Director looks forward to seeing you on the following dates, in the following locations: April 1 at the County Courthouse in San Augustine from 9:30-11:30 am, April 8 at the Polk County Commissioner’s Court Room in Livingston from 9:30-11:30 am, or at the Tyler County Courthouse in Woodville from 1:30-3:30 pm; April 15 at the Houston County Courthouse Annex in Crockett from 9:30-11:30 am, or at the Trinity County Courthouse in Groveton from 1:30-3:30 pm.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office if we can help you in any way. My district office may be reached at (936) 634-2762 and my Capitol office may be reached at (512) 463-0508. Additionally, I welcome you to follow along on my Official Facebook Page, where I will be posting regular updates on what’s happening in your State Capitol and sharing information that could be useful to you and your family: https://www.facebook.com/RepTrentAshby/.
