Another week has come and gone at the Capitol and things have been extremely busy. On Thursday House lawmakers unanimously passed HB 10 an emergency supplemental appropriations bill that allocates $4.8 billion from the states general revenue to address unpaid Medicaid bills which the previous Legislature delayed paying. This will need to be signed by Governor Perry in March to keep payments to health care providers from being interrupted. It could come up on the Senate Floor as early as next week.
I have filed and authored several new bills this week that I believe will strengthen Texas.
MORE PARENTAL OVERSIGHT FOR SEX EDUCATION
In order to provide parents with more oversight of human sexuality and family planning instruction in our public schools I authored legislation with Senator Ken Paxton (R - McKinney) and Senator Eddie Lucio Jr. (D - Brownsville). SB 521 requires 14 day notice be given to parents as well as requiring signed consent forms when a school district plans to have a third party entity teach these classes. It also prohibits abortion providers and affiliates from teaching or providing materials for lesson plans.
I believe the purpose of sex education and family planning is to teach our children to make responsible choices not to minimize the repercussions of making irresponsible ones. This bill empowers parents to ensure the material being taught in the classroom is consistent with the values they teach at home.
INVOICING THE FED GOV. FOR BORDER SECURITY
On Wednesday I joined Senator Craig Estes (R - Wichita Falls) in co-authoring legislation that demands reimbursement to Texas taxpayers from the federal government for failing to secure the border. Over the last fiscal biennium the State of Texas spent $221 million picking up the tab for what the U.S. Constitution delegates as a federal responsibility. Thats money that could be used to fund other priorities critical to Texas families like education and health care.
Our border is increasingly being exploited by smugglers human traffickers and violent drug cartels. Texans do not feel safe and have repeatedly asked for help from federal officials. Hopefully an invoice from the people of Texas will finally get the attention of our Congress and this President.
MORE BANG FOR OUR MEDICAID BUCKS
On Thursday I filed SB 682 to save taxpayers money regarding billing of some Medicaid services. Currently the Medicaid reimbursement rate for services provided by advanced practice nurses and physician assistants is set at 92 of the physician rate. However agency rules have sometimes allowed these services to be reimbursed at 100 of the physician rate costing taxpayers unnecessary expenses. By requiring these services be billed and reimbursed at the actual rates set by the Health and Human Services Commission the State of Texas will see savings and taxpayers will get more bang for their Medicaid bucks.
VIVA SAN ANTONIO
We had a large number of delegates from San Antonio come by Thursday including members of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce the S.A. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and San Antonio Water System. Water and transportation remain key issues to our district and I am committed to finding available funding for infrastructure projects that continue to meet the growing demands of our increasing population while fostering economic growth.
ON THE HOME FRONT
You still have a couple of days left to attend the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. I took my daughter last weekend and we had a blast. Dont worry we left the pig at home. The San Antonio rodeo truly is one of the premiere rodeo events in the nation and if youve never been I strongly encourage you to put on your hat and boots and take in the sights.
HONORING LINCOLN AND WASHINGTON
Last night I was invited to speak at the Guadalupe County Lincoln Dinner with about 250 guests in attendance. Many of these people have been by my side for the past year and I couldnt thank them enough for all the hard work theyve done. I was truly a privilege to have the opportunity to pay tribute to our first Republican president at this great event.
Speaking of presidents we observed Presidents Day earlier this week but today is actually George Washingtons birthday. I have been reflecting on one of Washingtons more famous quotes:
There is no truth more thoroughly established than that there exists… an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness… The propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which heaven itself as ordained."
I believe we have a duty as public servants to lead our nation and our state with this thought in mind. Please let me know if I can do anything to assist you. God bless you God bless America and God bless Texas!!!
Another week has come and gone at the Capitol and things have been extremely busy. On Thursday House lawmakers unanimously passed HB 10 an emergency supplemental appropriations bill that allocates $4.8 billion from the states general revenue to address unpaid Medicaid bills which the previous Legislature delayed paying. This will need to be signed by Governor Perry in March to keep payments to health care providers from being interrupted. It could come up on the Senate Floor as early as next week.
I have filed and authored several new bills this week that I believe will strengthen Texas.
MORE PARENTAL OVERSIGHT FOR SEX EDUCATION
In order to provide parents with more oversight of human sexuality and family planning instruction in our public schools I authored legislation with Senator Ken Paxton (R - McKinney) and Senator Eddie Lucio Jr. (D - Brownsville). SB 521 requires 14 day notice be given to parents as well as requiring signed consent forms when a school district plans to have a third party entity teach these classes. It also prohibits abortion providers and affiliates from teaching or providing materials for lesson plans.
I believe the purpose of sex education and family planning is to teach our children to make responsible choices not to minimize the repercussions of making irresponsible ones. This bill empowers parents to ensure the material being taught in the classroom is consistent with the values they teach at home.
INVOICING THE FED GOV. FOR BORDER SECURITY
On Wednesday I joined Senator Craig Estes (R - Wichita Falls) in co-authoring legislation that demands reimbursement to Texas taxpayers from the federal government for failing to secure the border. Over the last fiscal biennium the State of Texas spent $221 million picking up the tab for what the U.S. Constitution delegates as a federal responsibility. Thats money that could be used to fund other priorities critical to Texas families like education and health care.
Our border is increasingly being exploited by smugglers human traffickers and violent drug cartels. Texans do not feel safe and have repeatedly asked for help from federal officials. Hopefully an invoice from the people of Texas will finally get the attention of our Congress and this President.
MORE BANG FOR OUR MEDICAID BUCKS
On Thursday I filed SB 682 to save taxpayers money regarding billing of some Medicaid services. Currently the Medicaid reimbursement rate for services provided by advanced practice nurses and physician assistants is set at 92 of the physician rate. However agency rules have sometimes allowed these services to be reimbursed at 100 of the physician rate costing taxpayers unnecessary expenses. By requiring these services be billed and reimbursed at the actual rates set by the Health and Human Services Commission the State of Texas will see savings and taxpayers will get more bang for their Medicaid bucks.
VIVA SAN ANTONIO
We had a large number of delegates from San Antonio come by Thursday including members of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce the S.A. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and San Antonio Water System. Water and transportation remain key issues to our district and I am committed to finding available funding for infrastructure projects that continue to meet the growing demands of our increasing population while fostering economic growth.
ON THE HOME FRONT
You still have a couple of days left to attend the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo. I took my daughter last weekend and we had a blast. Dont worry we left the pig at home. The San Antonio rodeo truly is one of the premiere rodeo events in the nation and if youve never been I strongly encourage you to put on your hat and boots and take in the sights.
HONORING LINCOLN AND WASHINGTON
Last night I was invited to speak at the Guadalupe County Lincoln Dinner with about 250 guests in attendance. Many of these people have been by my side for the past year and I couldnt thank them enough for all the hard work theyve done. I was truly a privilege to have the opportunity to pay tribute to our first Republican president at this great event.
Speaking of presidents we observed Presidents Day earlier this week but today is actually George Washingtons birthday. I have been reflecting on one of Washingtons more famous quotes:
There is no truth more thoroughly established than that there exists… an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness… The propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which heaven itself as ordained."
I believe we have a duty as public servants to lead our nation and our state with this thought in mind. Please let me know if I can do anything to assist you. God bless you God bless America and God bless Texas!!!
