The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the need for reliable internet access and exposed the breadth of ways in which connectivity impacts daily life. According to Connected Nation Texas, there are currently over 900,000 Texans who are unserved by broadband. House Bill 5 aims to make measurable progress towards closing the digital gap for Texans. I am proud to support HB 5 to close the digital gap as a step forward for rural Texas!

Weatherization and Our Grid
 

At the start of February, Texans were faced with a deadly winter storm and no electricity to keep warm. As passed, Senate Bill 3 requires infrastructure upgrades to prepare for extreme weather, seeks to improve oversight of the state’s electricity supply chain, and creates a statewide emergency alert system in the event of future power outages. I am glad that the House and Senate worked together to come up with a solution to ensure Texans will never be left out in the cold or without electricity like what occurred this past February again.

Permitless Carry
 

The first-of-its-kind, Permitless Carry bill, is currently on its way to Governor Greg Abbott's desk where the Governor has indicated his intent to sign the measure into law.  I have been a lifelong 2nd- Amendment supporter, and I was proud to be a co-author of House Bill 1927. This bill's passage marks the strongest victory for pro-2nd Amendment grassroots in recent history and is a highlight of one of the most Conservative Texas legislative sessions we have ever had.

 

Star-Spangled Banner Protection Act
 

Senate Bill 4, dubbed the Star-Spangled Banner Protection Act was sent to the Governor on May 28th. This Act would ensure that professional sports teams would be penalized if they do not play the national anthem for major sports events. We as Americans must be reminded that we come from the land of the free and home of the brave and that is exactly why I was honored to vote for this common sense legislation.

I am extremely proud of the hard work the Texas House and Senate has devoted to constructing a balanced, conservative budget.

The state budget reflects our commitment to remaining fiscally conservative while maintaining dedicated efforts to fund health care, public education, public safety, border security, and more important issues.  Please find below a breakdown of the budget:

On February 4th, the 110-year old Mason County historical courthouse was tragically damaged in an act of arson -- an alarming attack on our judicial system. The Mason County Courthouse has always been the "focal point" of the city and county and is admired by visitors and residents while serving as the centerpiece of this historic community. During this session, I worked closely with the House Appropriations Committee to obtain $6 Million in new funding to help rebuild the Mason County Courthouse. These appropriated funds will work in conjunction with the funds that Mason County was awarded in 2020 from the Texas Historical Commission's Historical Courthouse Preservation Programs Courthouse Restoration Grant to fully restore the courthouse.

Burns Boss Protections
 

This week, House Bill 222 was approved by the Senate and will head to the Governor's desk soon. In Texas, prescribed burn organizations provide training and resources for members of the public who are conducting prescribed burn activities separate from organizational burns. HB 222 provides liability protections for the burn bosses who serve our communities and landowners in controlling brush and managing our grazing lands.

Ag Appraisals

Farms and ranches are the backbone of Texas and a key component in our local economies throughout Texas. Many of these farms and ranches are often passed down through generations of families and represent some of the key values associated with being a Texan -- hard work, determination, a commitment to conservation, and deep respect for Texas heritage.  This session, I authored multiple pieces of legislation aimed at addressing issues in the Ag appraisal process and worked closely with Senator Charles Perry on Senate Bill 1245. SB 1245 takes strong steps towards ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the Farm and Ranch Survey for both landowners and chief appraisers so land used for agricultural purposes can be best appraised for tax purposes. Numerous problems still exist in the Ag appraisal and the broader property tax protest processes, and I am committed to keep improving those processes for every Texan.

Take this weekend to remember and honor all our fallen armed servicemen and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in serving their country to protect the Right to Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. I hope everyone takes a moment to appreciate the freedom given to us by the American men and women who served and sacrificed their lives in the process this Memorial Day. We are blessed by the bravery of those before us.