This past week was a frenzy with the bill filing deadline looming on March 8th and lawmakers working feverishly to get their bills in the hopper before the cut-off date. Now that the constitutionally required 60 day waiting period is over for passing bills, the Texas House will begin to take action as a collective... Read More

AUSTIN – Today, in a bipartisan and overwhelming fashion, the Texas House rolled out it’s long-awaited school finance plan, House Bill 3. This legislation is the product of over 12 months of extensive consideration from the Texas Commission on Public School Finance, as well as members of the Public Education Committee, superintendents, and teachers, including... Read More

As I often say in this column, I love seeing folks visit their State Capitol during the session. This past week I once again had the pleasure of welcoming a number of constituents, including a group from Leon County who made their way to Austin for their first ever Leon County Day at the Capitol.... Read More

As we approach the 183rd Texas Independence Day on March 2nd, it’s important to take a moment to appreciate how fortunate we are to live in a state that cherishes the values and beliefs we all hold dear. I recently had the pleasure of joining with hundreds of my fellow legislators, and many others, for... Read More

With only 140 days in a regular legislative session in Texas, time is precious. This week, we pass the 40-day mark leaving less than 100 days to complete our business for the 28 million plus citizens who are blessed to call themselves Texans. Though each session is always a marathon, the first few weeks seem... Read More

This past week members from both the House and Senate poured into the House Chamber for Governor Abbott’s biennial State of the State Address. Similar to the State of the Union at the federal level, this is an opportunity for the Governor to come before members of the Legislature and lay out his priorities for... Read More

After a busy week meeting with constituents, attending committee hearings, and filing legislation, it’s clear that the 86th Legislative Session is well underway. As legislation starts to move through the committee process in the coming weeks and months, I want to once again encourage you to reach out to my Capitol or district office to... Read More

There was a lot going on at your State Capitol this week as the Texas House received our committee assignments for the 86th Legislative Session. I’m excited that Speaker Bonnen has selected me to serve on both the House Committee on Public Education and the House Committee on Defense & Veterans Affairs. As a member... Read More

AUSTIN – State Representative Trent Ashby (R-Lufkin) has been selected to serve on both the House Committee on Public Education and the House Committee on Defense & Veterans Affairs during the 86th Legislative Session. This will be the first time Ashby has served on either committee. “I’m honored to have a seat at the table... Read More

As we near the 30-day mark on a government shutdown in Washington D.C., the Texas Legislature is gearing up for another productive legislative session. As I drove into Austin for opening day, I was reminded of how fortunate we are in Texas to have a part-time Legislature that must work together over only 140-days to... Read More