|
|
|
|
|
|
Dear Proud Texan,
The State Legislature has made significant strides. With exactly 28 days left until the end of the 85th Legislative Session, bills are moving quickly!
Below are a few highlights from the week.
God Bless Texas,
State Senator, District 4
|
|
|
Creighton Presents Buy America Legislation
Last week, Senator Creighton presented Senate Bill 1289 in the Senate Committee on Business & Commerce.
"We are falling behind as a state and as a country by importing iron and steel," said Senator Creighton. "By buying America, we will revitalize the competition within America and reopen Texas facilities."
Senate Bill 1289 would expand the Buy America program for iron and steel used in the construction of state buildings and infrastructure.
Iron and steel manufacturing facilities have closed throughout Texas and thus the state has lost iron and steel manufacturing jobs. Foreign countries subsidize their iron and steel manufacturing, circumvent our trade laws and flood the U.S. with iron and steel.
Texas already complies with many Buy America provisions. Starting in 1978, any federally funded transportation project is required to use US manufactured iron and steel. In 1995, the Texas Legislature expanded the Buy America provisions to include state highway projects that do not utilize federal funds. The issue been strengthened by President Donald Trump signing the "Buy American, Hire American" executive order last week.
"Any decision other than buying American iron and steel is a decision to support the Chinese and Turkish government over American workers," concluded Senator Creighton.
Follow the bill's progress here.
|
|
|
Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District
Last week, Senator Creighton passed legislation to update the makeup of the Lone Star Groundwater Conservation District (LSGCD) board of directors from appointed to elected.
"After 15 years of existence, we need to change the makeup of the LSGCD board so that all Montgomery County citizens have a voice," said Senator Creighton."
"It is important that Montgomery County citizens have the ability to elect board members who oversee our most precious resource," said Senator Creighton. "This legislation not only protects water in the county, but also gives all citizens a voice."
Senate Bill 2250, joint authored by Senator Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville) changes the makeup of the LSGCD to seven elected board members.
The mission and purpose of LSGCD will remain the same. Fifty-six of 66 single-county groundwater conservation districts are elected board of directors.
Senate Bill 2250 passed out of the Committee on Agriculture, Water & Rural Affairs with a unanimous vote.
|
|
|
School District Check Registry
Under the Senate budget, education funding increases by roughly $4.6 billion when you consider both state and local sources. Taxpayers deserve to know how local school districts are spending their taxpayer dollars.
This bill requires the 50 most populous districts in the state to disclose how they spend their money on their website. Several school districts in Senate District 4 have already done this and received Transparency Star Awards from the Texas Comptroller:
- Conroe ISD
- East Chambers ISD
- Hardin-Jefferson ISD
- Huffman ISD
In the year 2017, everything is online and school districts should be putting their finances online for their taxpayers. I believe more transparency with our public dollars will help us effectively use that money to better educate our children.
Follow Senate Bill 1605's progress here.
|
|
Let Texas Run Texas
- 10th Amendment Legislation* - Senate Concurrent Resolution 3
- This resolution is a strong and necessary assertion of Texas' sovereignty.
- The Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution states, "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.'
- Texas must fight to preserve its right as a state.
- Pro-Israel* - Senate Bill 29
- This bill prohibits state contracting with and investing in companies that boycott Israel.
- The Texas Senate has taken a stand against this effort to isolate Israel from the global community.
- Israel is a valuable trade partner to Texas and an essential US ally.
- Texas Sovereignty Act* - Senate Bill 2015
- This bill ensures Texas retains its state sovereignty by formally declaring that acts of the federal government are unconstitutional.
- Article V Convention - Senate Bill 21 and SJR 2
- This bill calls for an Article V Convention of States to propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
- Eight states have already passed nearly identical legislation and Texas is one of 22 looking to join in this effort this Session.
- Coercive Federal Funds in Budget* - Senate Bill 806
- This bill puts a process in statute for identifying coercive federal funds.
- When the federal government doesn't have the power to do what it wants, it uses federal funds to coerce the states into compliance.
*Senator Creighton is the author of this bill
|
|
|
Visit Your Office at the Capitol
Call 512-463-0104 for directions or drop by the Capitol Extension, E1.606, to visit with Senator Creighton and his staff anytime.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
