Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas During these past six months that I have served as a Freshman member of the Texas House of Representatives I must share with you the fact that I have learned so much about the legislative process how our state government functions and how to better serve you.
As I drive to work each morning and see the Texas Capitol I am humbled each day as it serves as a reminder of the trust you placed in me when you elected me last November and gave me the awesome responsibility to speak on your behalf during this years 82nd Texas Legislative session. In the ensuring days weeks and months that lie ahead I plan to outline why I will continue to seek this office and my vision for the future.
This an important time in our history where we will continue to debate the future of Texas. Our past is very clear. With Gods grace and a lot of hard work we have built here the greatest most prosperous and exceptional state in American history. Now we have to decide whether we want to continue to be that or are we willing to decline and be like other states such as Illinois Nevada and California.
Are we prepared to be the first generation of Texans to leave our children worst off than ourselves? I certainly hope not. These are the issues you and I will need to discuss in the coming months. These are the issues that will frame the next General Election and the future of our great state and of America.
I ask you to join us through the various methods of communication that we now have available for your use such as our Web Page Facebook and Twitter accounts. This is where you can watch and comment as we present our vision for the future of Texas. We love to hear from you and have your input.
For a summary of all of our 2011 legislative activity just click on this link:
http://www.texastribune.org/session/82R/bills/house/by/rep/raul-torres/
News from Austin
Special Session Update
We are now entering the home stretch of this years first Special Session. So far the Texas House has successfully passed the budget related bills SB 1 SB 2 and the Congressional Redistricting bill SB 4. Other bills that we have passed include SB 7 Health care administration bill HB 13 Medicaid reform bill and HB 18 Education reform bill regarding class size.
Governor Perry had this to say about this years first Special Session This special session is going to be about putting the finishing touches on what we already see as a truly historic legislative session.
By adding sanctuary cities in this special session the Governor said that Lawmakers will help empower officers to apply their training experience and judgment to enforcing the laws by keeping municipalities from tying their hands. Currently a city may adopt policies commonly referred to as sanctuary city policies that prohibit local law enforcement from inquiring about a persons immigration status.
These policies may also prohibit the sharing of information regarding a persons immigration status with the federal government. Governor Perry chose to add this item to the special session call we will have another opportunity to consider legislation regarding this important issue.
Additionally by adding the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA)reform bill that will be debated this week on Wednesday the Governor said It is imperative for coastal Texans that lawmakers address the operation of TWIA during the special session especially now that we are in the midst of a hurricane season thats expected to be above average.
I applaud the Governor for adding these two important items to the special session call and I look forward to continuing the work with my colleagues as work on these and other important issues in the remaining days of this special session.
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas During these past six months that I have served as a Freshman member of the Texas House of Representatives I must share with you the fact that I have learned so much about the legislative process how our state government functions and how to better serve you.
As I drive to work each morning and see the Texas Capitol I am humbled each day as it serves as a reminder of the trust you placed in me when you elected me last November and gave me the awesome responsibility to speak on your behalf during this years 82nd Texas Legislative session. In the ensuring days weeks and months that lie ahead I plan to outline why I will continue to seek this office and my vision for the future.
This an important time in our history where we will continue to debate the future of Texas. Our past is very clear. With Gods grace and a lot of hard work we have built here the greatest most prosperous and exceptional state in American history. Now we have to decide whether we want to continue to be that or are we willing to decline and be like other states such as Illinois Nevada and California.
Are we prepared to be the first generation of Texans to leave our children worst off than ourselves? I certainly hope not. These are the issues you and I will need to discuss in the coming months. These are the issues that will frame the next General Election and the future of our great state and of America.
I ask you to join us through the various methods of communication that we now have available for your use such as our Web Page Facebook and Twitter accounts. This is where you can watch and comment as we present our vision for the future of Texas. We love to hear from you and have your input.
For a summary of all of our 2011 legislative activity just click on this link:
http://www.texastribune.org/session/82R/bills/house/by/rep/raul-torres/
News from Austin
Special Session Update
We are now entering the home stretch of this years first Special Session. So far the Texas House has successfully passed the budget related bills SB 1 SB 2 and the Congressional Redistricting bill SB 4. Other bills that we have passed include SB 7 Health care administration bill HB 13 Medicaid reform bill and HB 18 Education reform bill regarding class size.
Governor Perry had this to say about this years first Special Session This special session is going to be about putting the finishing touches on what we already see as a truly historic legislative session.
By adding sanctuary cities in this special session the Governor said that Lawmakers will help empower officers to apply their training experience and judgment to enforcing the laws by keeping municipalities from tying their hands. Currently a city may adopt policies commonly referred to as sanctuary city policies that prohibit local law enforcement from inquiring about a persons immigration status.
These policies may also prohibit the sharing of information regarding a persons immigration status with the federal government. Governor Perry chose to add this item to the special session call we will have another opportunity to consider legislation regarding this important issue.
Additionally by adding the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA)reform bill that will be debated this week on Wednesday the Governor said It is imperative for coastal Texans that lawmakers address the operation of TWIA during the special session especially now that we are in the midst of a hurricane season thats expected to be above average.
I applaud the Governor for adding these two important items to the special session call and I look forward to continuing the work with my colleagues as work on these and other important issues in the remaining days of this special session.
