Texas Insider Report: AUSTINTexas There were several important announcements this week Id like to share with you. I gave public testimony at the Senate Select Committee on Property Tax Reform and Relief hearing in Arlington.
Senate Higher Education Committee Chair Kel Seliger and I held a press conference to discuss escalating university tuition rates. The Senate Health and Human Services Committee will now examine Texas response to the Zika virus. I spoke at the Allergan groundbreaking ceremony in Waco and I appointed ten senators to two new committees.
Runaway Property Tax Increases Must Stop The Senate passed critical legislation last session that helped lower the burden on property owners by increasing the homestead exemption from $15000 to $25000. It was just the first small step. We still have more to do. Senator Paul Bettencourt Chair of the Senate Select Committee on Property Tax Reform and Relief held the committees fourth interim hearing this time at the University of Texas in Arlington. I attended the hearing and gave public testimony on the importance of lowering property taxes for homeowners and businesses. Lowering your property taxes continues to be a top priority of mine and I intend to do all I can to deliver lasting tax relief. To read my full press release and watch raw video of my testimony click here.
Escalating University Tuition Rates and Student Debt Early this week Senate Higher Education Committee Chair Kel Seliger and I held a press conference at the capitol to address skyrocketing university tuition fee rates and student debt. Since 2002 tuition and fees increased 147 percent while the median household income only increased 32 percent. Universities are pricing the average family out of a college education and students are finding themselves deeper in college debt.
Next session the Senate will look closely at a number of cost reforms all geared to reducing the cost of higher education for students and families. Families cannot afford rapid growth in tuition at our public universities.
To read my full press release and watch the press conference click here
Senate Committee Review of Texas Zika Virus Response As Texas boosts its response efforts to combat the Zika virus Ive requested that the Senate Health and Human Services Committee (HHSC) review Texas response this month. HHSC Chair Charles Schwertner is leading the committee to examine the incidence of the disease in our state surveillance efforts modes of transmission strategies to prevent transmission and a review of local mosquito control programs.
To view my full press release and for more information on the Zika virus click here.
New Joint Interim Committees Announced This week I announced five appointments to the Joint Interim Committee to Study the Issue of Advertising Public Notices and five senators to the Joint Interim Committee to Study the Development of a Cruise Industry.
To find out more about these joint committees and their newly appointed members click here.
Allergans Expansion in Waco I was honored to speak at Allergans expansion groundbreaking ceremony in Waco. Once the expansion is completed the company will add about 100 jobs to the Waco area with the potential to add as many as 250 full-time jobs at full capacity. Texas low taxes and limited government is what keeps bringing in businesses from around the world.
