May 7th, 2008
Five members of the Texas House of Representatives recently gathered in Val Verde County to learn about water issues facing the county. Representatives Elliott Naishtat (D-Austin), Mike Villarreal (D-San Antonio), Joaquín Castro (D-San Antonio) and Joe Heflin (D-Crosbyton) came to the county at the invitation of Val Verde County’s state legislator, Representative Pete Gallego.
“In advance of the upcoming legislative session, it’s important for legislators to understand why we are so protective of all of our natural resources, but particularly our water,” said Representative Gallego. “I want them to see what I see and know what I know so that they can help protect our water supplies during the next session of the Legislature,” Representative Gallego stated.
During their two day trip, the legislators viewed Del Rio and Lake Amistad, but spent most of their time studying the Devil’s River watershed. The Devil’s River is particularly unique because it is the last remaining river in Texas still in its natural state and is the standard for cleanliness by which all other bodies of water in Texas are measured.
“The members were certainly impressed by the natural beauty of our area and they now understand why we are so passionate about it,” said Representative Gallego. “As a result of the trip, we have four more friends in the Texas House of Representatives,” Representative Gallego concluded.
Posted in Notes
February 27th, 2008
The Texas Hospital Association recently announced their endorsement of State Representative Pete P. Gallego for Texas House District 74. The Texas Hospital Association represents 85 percent of the state’s hospitals and health care systems, which employ over 340,000 health care professionals statewide. Their endorsement is based upon Representative Gallego’s willingness to work with hospitals to address health care issues, his positive voting record, and input from local hospital representatives.
With one in every four Texans lacking health insurance coverage, the state has the highest number of uninsured residents in the nation. The current uninsured crisis affects every family in Texas, including those who have health insurance. “Texas hospitals want to work with lawmakers on new policies that will make health care more accessible and affordable,” said Dan Shultz, M.D., president and CEO of the Texas Hospital Association.
Increased enrollment in the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and additional premium assistance to low-income working families through Medicaid reform have been long-standing goals of Representative Gallego. “It is time to put politics aside and do what is best for our children and those in need,” said Gallego. “By investing in preventative and regular health care, we can ensure a healthier and more productive future for Texas. It is time for all Texans to have the opportunity to receive quality health care.”
Posted in Press Releases
February 26th, 2008
With the March 4th primary just days away, I am glad to see such excitement surrounding the 2008 elections. As a friendly reminder, early voting began on February 19th and will run through February 29th in District 74. Voters can cast their ballot at any voting location designated by the County Registrar. For the first time in a generation, Texas Democrats will have the opportunity to decide who will be the 2008 Presidential Nominee. This election season promises to be one of the most exciting in recent memory, and I hope to see all of you at the polls.
Posted in Notes
February 25th, 2008
On February 11, 2008, I had the great pleasure of attending the Monahans Chamber of Commerce banquet. It was a wonderful evening. Chamber Executive Director Teresa Burnett was named the Citizen of the Year for 2007. My remarks were greeted with a standing ovation - for which I am particularly grateful! I received a painting by Monahans artist Jackie Zweiger to be hung in my office at the Capitol. The presentation was made by Monahans superintendent (and chamber president) Keith Richardson.
Posted in Events
July 26th, 2007
Today, 47 Texas House Democratic lawmakers called on Governor Rick Perry to restore $154 million cut from the state budget for public community and junior colleges.
Earlier this summer, Perry used line-item veto authority to strike higher education employees group insurance contributions for public community and junior colleges from the fiscal year 2009 funding. The veto has drawn harsh criticism from leaders all across the state. Without the funds, community and junior colleges may be forced to raise local taxes, tuition and fees, and/or cut instructional services.
In a joint-letter to Perry, Democratic House members requested that the he use his legal authority to reverse the veto’s effect and restore the funds needed by all 50 Texas public community colleges. The letter compares Perry’s veto to a “tax increase on middle-class Texans who are working hard to build better lives by obtaining a community or junior college education.”
“Texas must truly invest in public education if we want to secure a better tomorrow. Governor Perry’s unwise decision to veto these funds will harm hard-working Texas families,” House Democratic Caucus Chair Jim Dunnam said. “With so many community leaders across Texas calling on him to act responsibly, hopefully he will see the light and correct his mistake.”
The governor, in conjunction with the Legislative Budget Board (LBB), has the statutory and constitutional authority to replace the $154 million. House Speaker Tom Craddick and Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst, as the Joint-Chairs of the LBB, must also agree to restore the funds. There is ample time for the governor and LBB to take action since the vetoed funds were appropriated for the 2008-2009 school year. However, community and junior colleges will soon begin to set their budgets for that year and, with the governor’s veto of these critical funds, may be forced to plan for increasing taxes or cutting educational services.
Read the letter to Governor Perry.
Posted in Press Releases, Legislation
