Representative Jeff Leach
Texas Born-Alive Infant Protection Act
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Last Monday I laid out House Bill 16 known as the Texas Born-Alive Infant Protection Act to the House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence. The committee heard testimony from three incredible abortion survivors - all strong courageous women who have overcome insurmountable odds since birth and who have lived to share their compelling stories. I invite and encourage you to take a few minutes to listen to their testimony by viewing the archived committee footage here. I look forward to advancing House Bill 16 through committee and onto the floor of the Texas House for a vote.
The State Budget
On Wednesday the Texas House considered House Bill 1 the biennial state budget which funds the core priorities of the state for the 2020-2021 period. On the House floor I was proud to author and pass an amendment to the budget which appropriates $15 million of existing revenue towards maternal & postpartum health services and $3 million towards the Healthy Texas Women program which is designed to provide eligible Texas women with reproductive healthcare services from non-abortion providers. My budget amendment passed with bipartisan support and I am fully confident these funds will make a real lasting difference for Texas women and their families.
After a 12-hour floor debate with over 300 proposed budget amendments to consider the Texas House unanimously adopted a balanced state budget that stays below the constitutional spending limit while funding the priorities of the state. As passed the budget includes a $3 billion investment towards property tax relief and $6 billion towards public education. It is important to note that in order to provide meaningful long-term-property tax reform the state must increase its share of funding towards public education to curb our overreliance on local property taxes to fund Texas schools. Further the budget provides adequate funding for border security and public safety school safety TRS & TRS Care for our states retired teachers disaster and recovery relief efforts related to Hurricane Harvey among other priorities.
District Spotlight!
This week I enjoyed welcoming countless leaders from the entire county as we kicked off Collin County Days at the Texas Capitol. It is an honor to work alongside so many strong and talented community leaders to ensure that Collin County remains the best place to live work and raise a family.
