As students once again fill the hallways and classrooms of schools across the state, Texas lawmakers are finally making their way home after a laborious month in Austin. I’m pleased to report that the Legislature took action on a number of issues that will positively impact all Texans. After 29 days, a total of 12... Read More

Lufkin Daily News By TRENT ASHBY/Contributing writer As recent rains across much of East Texas brought cooler temperatures, things were heating up at your State Capitol here in Austin. Health care was a prominent topic of conversation as the Texas House cast a variety of votes toward addressing the needs of Texans. Ground ambulance service. A... Read More

Lufkin Daily News By TRENT ASHBY/Contributing writer I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Gov. Greg Abbott to discuss a number of issues that the Legislature hopes to address during the special session. Our conversation focused primarily on one of the more prominent themes in the Legislature this special session — education. The... Read More

REP. ASHBY FILES TRS-CARE AND SCHOOL FINANCE BILLS AUSTIN – State Representative Trent Ashby (R-Lufkin) filed two bills for consideration on the first day of the recently convened special legislative session. The first, House Bill 20, would appropriate $150 million from the Economic Stabilization Fund (commonly referred to as the Rainy Day Fund) to decrease... Read More

The Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program (TASSP) offers a conditional scholarship to a deserving student dedicated to education and military service. Created in 2009 by the 81st Legislature, the TASSP was designed to financially assist post-secondary students by encouraging them to become members of the Texas Army National Guard, the Texas Air National Guard, the... Read More

The July 4th holiday is upon us, and while it’s easy to get wrapped up in the fanfare that surrounds our Independence Day, I hope you’ll take time to think about what this national holiday is truly about – freedom. More importantly, I hope you’ll thank all of those who have defended or are currently... Read More

If you’ve been keeping up with what’s going on in Austin, you’ve probably heard that my fellow legislators and I have been called back for a special session on July 18th. It’s been over five years since our last special session, so I wanted to take this opportunity to provide a brief refresher on what... Read More

In the weeks that follow, I’d like to use the column to provide you with a bi-monthly synopsis on developments from the 85th Legislative Session. If you’ve been keeping up with my weekly columns, you’re well aware of my involvement in the education arena. From the very onset of the session, I have made it... Read More

By the time some of you read this column, the Texas House will have adjourned Sine Die (meaning without assigning a day for a further meeting). A special session called by the Governor is a possibility, but as the dust settles and the curtains close on the 85th Legislative Session, legislators are eager to return... Read More

As the final week of the 85th Legislative Session approaches, I’d like to take a moment to thank each and every one of you that has contacted either myself or my staff over the last several months. Without your phone calls, emails, and letters to my office, I would not be able to represent my... Read More