SD 11 SREC: District 129 First Week of Session Newsletter.

Earlier this week, the 87th session of the Texas Legislature was gaveled into session. It was an honor for me to take the oath of office to serve the people of House District 129.

After taking the oath of office, the House elected State Representative Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) as Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives. Dade is a friend and I look forward to serving with him.

This session, I plan on working on several election integrity bills, as well as development of the the proposed Coastal Barrier, updating our state building codes and several other topics. If you would like to track my bills or any other legislation in the 87th session, I have added instructions on how to use Texas Legislature Online below.

It is an honor to serve you in the Texas House of Representatives.

State Updates

Biennial Revenue Estimate

Earlier this week Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar released the Biennial Revenue Estimate (BRE) which tells the Legislature the amount of taxpayer dollars available to fund various programs like public safety, education, and health care during the upcoming session which began Jan. 12.

The Comptroller's estimate shows that the state is projected to have $112.5 billion in revenue available for general-purpose spending during the 2022-23 biennium. This represents a 0.4 percent decrease from funds available for the 2020-21 biennium. This decline is a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused revenue collections to fall well short of what was expected when the Legislature approved the 2020-21 budget.

The shortfall from the previous sessions budget is estimated to $1 billion. This estimate does not take into account the 5% reductions to the budgets of all state agency's excluding, Health and Human Services, Education and Public Safety, that legislative leaders directed last summer. A supplemental appropriations bill will be necessary to account for the budget shortfall.

Procedures for visiting your Capitol

On January 4th the State Preservation Board reopened the Texas Capitol. Below, you will find the operating hours and public health precautions that are being taken.

State Preservation Board Policy Regarding the Texas Capitol

Building Public Hours

Monday - Friday, 9AM - 6PM

Closed Saturday and Sunday for building cleaning

Public Health Precautions

The public may only enter via the north door of the Capitol.

COVID-19 testing is highly recommended and easily accessible on the north plaza at no expense. No personal data will be collected.

At this time, a mask worn over the mouth and nose is required at all times inside the building.

Public visitor capacity limits will be observed and social distancing required in all public areas at all times.

All deliveries must be left at the loading dock. No delivery personnel are allowed beyond the loading dock or to enter through the public entrance.

No public tours or groups or sponsored event space will be available.

The Capitol Grounds, Capitol Visitors Center, Bullock Museum and Texas State Cemetery are open to the public.

The Capitol Grounds are open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Capitol Visitors Center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Please click here for Museum hours:

https://www.thestoryoftexas.com/visit/plan-your-visit

COVID -19 Update

COVID-19 Vaccine Information:

As of now the COVID-19 Vaccine is being rolled out in phases. Currently Phase 1A and 1B are being made available to those who qualify.

Phase 1A is for front-line workers and residents at long-term care facilities plus those over 65 with chronic medical conditions putting them at an increased risk for severe illness. Those individuals are currently eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Texans in Phase 1B are currently eligible to receive the vaccine as well, the guidelines for Phase 1B are as follows :

· People 65 years of age and older

· People 16 years of age and older with at least one chronic medical condition that puts them at increased risk for severe illness from the virus that causes COVID-19, such as but not limited to:

o Cancer

o Chronic kidney disease

o COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)

o Heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathies

o Solid organ transplantation

o Obesity and severe obesity (body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or higher)

o Pregnancy

o Sickle cell disease

o Type 2 diabetes mellitus

If you fall under either of those categories you may contact the testing hub in your area, listed below. The sites are requesting individuals do not show up at a hospital or clinic looking for a vaccine but either call or check the website for information prior to arrival.

Houston Methodist Hospital- TMC

6565 Fanin Street, Houston Texas

281-626-5551

1st dose available both

Pfizer (13,152 doses)

Moderna (610 Doses)

Updated yesterday 1/14 at 5:34

website: https://www.houstonmethodist.org/texas-vaccine-hub/

Houston Health Department Immunization Bureau

8000 N. Stadium Drive, Houston Texas

831-393-4220

Pfizer (no Doses)

Moderna Yes (10,240 Doses)

Updated 1/15 at 6:32

Wesbite: https://houstonemergency.org/covid19/

Harris County Department of Public Health

713-439-6000

2223 W Loops S, Houston, Tx

Pfizer No Doses

Moderna (Yes) (16,289 doses available)

Numbers last updated today at 8:07

https://vacstrac.hctx.net/landing

People can find more information on COVID-19 vaccine at dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/immunize/vaccine.aspx.

TWIA Rate Hike Struck Down by Insurance Commissioner

After encouragement from coastal members of the legislature, including myself, I am pleased to announce that the Texas Commissioner of Insurance rejected TWIA's 5% proposed rate hike. This means that TWIA rates will remain unchanged.

How to Track Legislation

To track legislation you can visit the Texas Legislature Online. You can do this by visiting https://capitol.texas.gov/ Once there you can create a saved search for all my bills, go to ttps://capitol.texas.gov/MnuMyTLO.aspx . If you've never set up an account here before, go to "Login" and click "New User" to set up your account. Once you are set up and get logged in, click on "MyTLO", then "Search", then "Bill Search". In the "Author" box pull-down menu select "Paul (H-A3090)". Hit the gray "Search" button on the top-right and you will see the bills I've filed this session which already have been assigned bill numbers. We have quite a few bills still being drafted, so you'll see more entries soon. Now go to the top-right and select "Save Search" and give this search a name, like "2021 Dennis Paul bills". From now on, when you come in to "MyTLO" you go to "Saved Searches". Click "Run" on your "2021 Dennis Paul Bills" and it will give you a current list of all my bills this session.