With the arrival of Mother’s Day, we once again celebrate the wonderful women in our lives who have helped shape us into the men and women God called us to be. And while it is true that every day we should honor our mothers, it is my hope that you’ll hug the neck of the women you hold most dear in your life and take some time to express your appreciation for all they have done. Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms!

With that, here’s an update from your Capitol in Austin. . .

House Interim Charge: Agriculture & Livestock

With mowers and hay balers being serviced, summer gardens planted, and the Farm Bill surfacing as one of this year’s key pieces of legislation in Washington D.C., I thought it only appropriate to check in on the House Committee on Agriculture and Livestock.

Like other interim committees, Agriculture and Livestock will spend a lot of time examining how agencies such as the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) and the Texas Animal Health Commission can better mitigate the impact of natural disasters on the agricultural and livestock industry in our state. However, the committee’s work will not solely focus on natural disasters, as they have established an ambitious interim schedule that will focus on a number of key issues as well.

As with all of the work we do in Austin, legislators strive to deliver on the expectations of their constituents. One specific expectation of folks in my district, and one that I share wholeheartedly, is that our state government operate as efficiently as possible with taxpayer dollars. As such, the committee will examine the financial benefits of partnering with private industry on certain programs administered by the TDA. While these programs benefit the state from a public health perspective, we must strive to make certain that an unfair burden is not placed on our farmers and ranchers.

Another topic the committee will explore is the development of a central filing system for products subject to agricultural liens, which are used as collateral for loans. Such a system could potentially streamline the process by which agricultural businesses operate and go a long way in eliminating some burdensome red tape. Recognizing how important the work of this committee is to our agricultural producers, you can rest assured I will keep a close eye on their hearings and, ultimately, their recommendations to the Legislature.

Reminders

The mobile office is on the road for the month of May and looks forward to seeing you on the following dates, in the following locations: May 16th in Crockett at the Houston County Courthouse Annex from 9:00-11:00am, or in Groveton at the Trinity County Courthouse from 1:30-3:30pm; as well as on May 23rd in San Augustine at the San Augustine County Courthouse from 9:00-11:00am.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact our office if we can help you in any way. Our district office may be reached at (936) 634-2762, or you can call my Capitol office at (512) 463-0508.

(AUSTIN) — Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar today announced that the new Texas Achieving a Better Life Experience (Texas ABLE®) Program is open for enrollment.

Texas ABLE, based on federal and state legislation, gives Texans with disabilities and their families the opportunity to save money for disability-related expenses in a tax-advantaged account without losing their eligibility for certain public benefits such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Medicaid.

“For too long, Texans with disabilities have been unable to work toward financial independence without endangering their benefits,” Hegar said. “Texas ABLE will help remove this barrier.”

Texas ABLE will be administered by the Texas Prepaid Higher Education Tuition Board through the Texas Comptroller’s office. The program is open to eligible Texans who experience the onset of a disability before the age of 26 and are entitled to SSI or SSDI benefits, or have a condition on the Social Security Administration’s list of Compassionate Allowances Conditions or a physician’s diagnosis of a qualifying condition.

Any eligible adult who is at least 18 years old or an authorized legal representative (a parent, legal guardian or other fiduciary) for an eligible individual can open a Texas ABLE account and use it to save up to $15,000 per year (or even more, if exceptions in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 apply). ABLE account funds up to $100,000 are generally disregarded for purposes of determining eligibility to receive government assistance or benefits.

ABLE account funds, including any earnings, are not subject to federal income tax if used for qualified expenses related to the eligible individual’s disability and for maintaining or improving his or her health, independence or quality of life. An eligible individual can have only one ABLE account.

Anyone, including the eligible individual, family, friends, business entities or trusts, may contribute to an ABLE account. A “gifting” feature in the online Texas ABLE system will make it easy to provide such contributions.

Texas ABLE offers three managed allocation investment options and one bank savings account option. Participants can choose the option that best meets their personal needs and savings goals.

“This is a great opportunity for those who qualify,” Hegar said. “Texas ABLE will help Texans with disabilities become more independent and give them a path toward a more secure future.”

For more information on Texas ABLE, including associated fees, or to open an account, call (844) 4TX-ABLE (844-489-2253) or visit TexasABLE.org.

Austin, TX – This week, Senator Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville) received the ‘Legislative Champion Award’ from the Texas oil and gas industry, at a luncheon for East Texas leaders at the Lufkin Lions Club.

“I am honored to be presented with the ‘Legislative Champion Award’ from the Texas Oil and Gas Association and other industry members,” said Nichols. “I understand how important the oil and gas industry is to our state in not only providing jobs for Texans, but also in ensuring Texas maintains its strong and growing economy.”

The award was presented on behalf of the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers, Texas Independent Producers & Royalty Owners Association, Texas Oil & Gas Association, Texas Pipeline Association, Permian Basin Petroleum Association, Panhandle Producers & Royalty Owners Association, Texas Royalty Owners Association and South Texas Energy & Economic Roundtable.

“Senator Robert Nichols created jobs as a private citizen and now works to ensure jobs are created in Texas by making our state competitive and attractive to investment. Chairman Nichols understands the importance of the oil and natural gas industry to funding our schools, our roads and universities,” said Todd Staples, the Texas Oil and Gas Association President. “We appreciate his leadership and forward-thinking approach to public policies that have helped Texas emerge as the fastest growing economy in the country and secured Texas’ position as the nation’s leader in oil and natural gas production, pipeline miles and refining capacity.”