Williamsport Bound! Hats off to the Lufkin All-Star team for securing a spot in the Little League World Series. The win makes this team the first to ever make it out of the “Texas East” region and on to the Little League World Series. I am so proud of this team’s hard work and dedication throughout the season, and I hope you’ll join me in cheering on this talented group of young men as they represent not only our state, but the entire southwest region in a tournament with teams from across the globe. With that said, here’s an update from your State Capitol. . .
Special Session Legislation
The Texas House took further steps towards protecting the integrity of our election system by approving Senate Bill 5, which would broaden the definition of mail-in ballot fraud, strengthen rules for signature verification, and require election judges to notify voters when ballots are rejected. The bill would also create a state jail felony – carrying up to a two year sentence – for anyone who provides false information on a mail in ballot.
The House also passed House Bill 32, also known as the Property Tax Payer Empowerment Act, to increase transparency and reduce confusion around the property tax rate setting and appraisal review process. This legislation brings transparency to the tax rate setting process by providing taxpayers the tools and information they need to engage local officials in a simple and easy to understand format.
Finally, the Legislature approved legislation relating to the sunset process that the Governor prioritized at the onset of the special session. The bill ensures that state agencies, including the entity tasked with licensing doctors, continue operations after September and receive appropriate state funding. The bill that the House recently approved, Senate Bill 20, extends the life of the Texas Medical Board, the Board of Examiners of Psychologists, the Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists, the Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors, and the Board of Social Worker Examiners. These agencies provide important services to our state’s population, and approving their continuation beyond August 20th was a very important measure that the Legislature
was tasked to address during the special session.
Reminders
The mobile office is back on the road in August and looks forward to seeing you around the district! Here’s this month’s schedule: August 16th from 9-11am at the Houston County Courthouse in Crockett, or from 1:30-3:30pm at the Trinity County Courthouse in Groveton; August 23rd from 9-11am at the San Augustine County Courthouse in San Augustine.
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.
