To Senators John Cornyn & Ted Cruz and Congressmen Kevin Brady, Bill Flores & Louie Gohmert regarding the high-speed rail project. Dear Senators & Congressmen, I would like to begin by thanking each of you for the service to the areas that we jointly represent, and to the State of Texas as a whole. In recent... Read More

Since I was a kid, I’ve always been fascinated by Punxsutawney Phil and his ability to predict the end of winter.  With the utmost respect to the world’s most famous groundhog, I sure hope he’s wrong this year, as I’d be happy to trade his prediction of six more weeks of winter for some milder... Read More

Recently, record low temperatures were set in cities and counties all across the state as Winter Storm Inga blew ice and snow into Texas. I know, unfortunately, that in most counties in our region there were automobile accidents reported that were a direct result of someone’s failure not to drop their speed and drive to... Read More

Happy New Year to all! The holiday season has wrapped up, it’s back to work, and everyone’s regular routines are taking over. As 2018 is just a few days old, there’s no reason to think that it won’t be another prosperous year for Texans. On that note, I’d like to share some exciting news for... Read More

Christmas decorations are being hung, football playoffs are heating up, and we’re finally seeing some colder weather across East Texas. As we eagerly anticipate the arrival of this Christmas season, let’s pause to remember our fellow Americans who were viciously attacked at Pearl Harbor 76 years ago. We are forever indebted to the men and... Read More

Sergeant Wade Daniel Wilson Memorial Highway This Veteran’s Day, I had the honor of unveiling signs which will forever honor an American hero from our House district. During the most recent legislative session, I carried and passed a bill into law that would designate a 17-mile portion of Interstate 45 in Leon County as the Sergeant... Read More

I encourage you to read through the list of propositions below and the brief descriptions of the arguments for and against each proposed change to the Texas Constitution. While some of the proposals may seem minor, this election will have a lasting impact on the lives of Texans.   Let your voice be heard in... Read More

The big story around the state this past week was the announcement from Texas House Speaker Joe Straus that, after five sessions wielding the gavel, he will not return for the 86th Legislative Session. It’s a long time between now and January 2019, when the House will select the next Speaker, but this change of... Read More

I encourage you to read through the list of propositions below and the brief descriptions of the arguments for and against each proposed change to the Texas Constitution. While some of the proposals may seem minor, this election will have a lasting impact on the lives of Texans.   Early voting begins Monday, October 23... Read More

AUSTIN – Today, members of Texas PTA named Representative Trent Ashby (R-Lufkin) to Texas PTA’s Legislative Honor Roll for his work during the 85th session of the Texas Legislature. Representative Ashby serves as the Chairman of the House Appropriations Education Subcommittee, that has the tough task of setting the education budget. “There were multiple issues... Read More