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Highlights from the 89th Texas Legislature

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With the start of the 89th Legislative Session, State Representatives and Senators convened in Austin on Tuesday, January 14, to take the constitutional oath of office. It was such a blessing to be surrounded by my family and friends from back home as I swore to faithfully execute the duties of the office as the State Representative for House District 9. 

It is the honor of a lifetime to serve as a voice for those living in the six counties I’m blessed to represent, and you have my commitment that I will strive every day to promote and protect the interests of Deep East Texas and the values we hold dear.

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

Capitol Update

A day before the swearing-in ceremony, Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar released the Biennial Revenue Estimate (BRE), which outlines the state’s financial condition and provides an estimate of the revenue the Legislature can expect to receive during the next two-year budget cycle. The Comptroller projected that the state will have $194.6 billion in revenue available for general-purpose spending. Comptroller Hegar also announced a $24 billion budget surplus.

Additionally, $2.15 billion must be transferred to the Economic Stabilization Fund (ESF), also known as the “Rainy Day Fund.” The Texas Constitution requires a portion of oil and gas production taxes to go into the ESF. As its name suggests, the Rainy Day Fund serves as a financial cushion to help cover the state’s obligations when tax receipts fall short. Importantly, the Texas Constitution also caps the balance of the ESF. When the balance of the ESF exceeds the constitutional limit, excess revenue flows back into general revenue. The Comptroller projects the ESF to reach its cap during the next two years.

While any budget surplus is welcome news, I believe we should be mindful of the financial challenges many Texans are facing and craft fiscal policies that prioritize the taxpayer. Perhaps the best place to start is by using our budget surplus to provide meaningful property tax relief with strategic investments and take a close look at appraisal reform. 

I also believe that the state must plan for the future by investing in our water and transportation infrastructure, enhancing public safety by bolstering border security and law enforcement efforts, expanding access to healthcare, mental health, and emergency services in rural areas, and support our dedicated educators through much-needed pay raises. I look forward to working with my colleagues to ensure that we responsibly capitalize on this opportunity to prioritize taxpayers while also protecting and promoting future prosperity. 

On another note, the House is scheduled to take up the Housekeeping and Rules Resolutions next week. The Housekeeping Resolution dictates the administrative parameters for the House this session, such as office budgets, appropriate use of House resources, and the general duties of the House Administration Committee. 

The Rules Resolution dictates the legislative process and procedures for the next session. This includes the duties of the Speaker of the House, the organizations and jurisdiction of Committees, and the procedures for introducing and passing bills, resolutions, and amendments. 

After the passage of Housekeeping and the Rules, I expect committee assignments to be issued by the Speaker in the next few weeks. Once assignments have been made, legislation will begin moving through the process, and the real work begins. 

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 our Capitol office at (512) 463-0508. Additionally, I welcome you to follow along on my Official Facebook Page, where I will post regular updates on what’s happening in your State Capitol and share information that could be useful to you and your family: https://www.facebook.com/RepTrentAshby/

Rep. Trent Ashby
Trent Ashby is honored to be representing District 57 in the Texas House of Representatives. House District 57 includes Angelina, Houston, Leon, Madison, San Augustine and Trinity Counties. He can be reached at (512) 463-0508, (936)634-2762, or by email at trentashby@house.state.tx.us.

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