SD 11 SREC: E-Newletter from State Representative Dennis Paul

Governor Abbott Adds 15 Counties To Disaster Declaration

On Wednesday, June 8th, Governor Greg Abbott added Brown, Caldwell, Callahan, Clay, Comanche, Eastland, Falls, Hardin, Harris, Houston, Madison, Somervell, Stephens, Travis, and Trinity Counties to his June 1st disaster declaration following severe weather and flooding in parts of Texas. Additional counties may be added as damage assessments are submitted.

To view Governor Abbott's disaster declaration, click here

Governor Abbott Participates In White House Conference Call With Governors On Zika Virus

Governor Greg Abbott participated in a conference call for Governors last week hosted by the White House and led by Secretary of Health and Human Services Sylvia Burwell and Center for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Tom Frieden to discuss strategies to address the Zika threat and efforts to combat the virus.

To read more about the efforts being made by Texas leadership, click here.

I was honored to receive this certificate of flight memento from BLUE ORIGIN recently. Blue Origin flew and landed the world's first fully reusable rocket on November 23, 2015. This memento was flown aboard New Shepard's historic mission.

A look around District 129

Boeing Awards $200 million in Space Contracts to Small Businesses: The Boeing ISS Program issued $200 million in contracts to small businesses recently to support their work on the International Space Station. Although the companies' headquarters are located throughout the U.S., much of the work will happen in the Houston region. Read More

Local receives the United Health Foundations Diverse Scholars Award: The Diverse Scholars Initiative works to create a more culturally relevant health workforce, particularly in underserved communities, by increasing the number of primary care health providers ready to meet future health care needs. Peter Vu, a Junior at the University of Houston, was awarded one of the APIASF/United Health Foundation Scholarship. Read More

Texas House of Representatives Pensions Hearing: On Monday, June 13th, the House Committee on Pensions met in the Houston City Council Chamber to examine the fiscal and policy impacts of structural reforms that would increase state public pension plans' ability to achieve and maintain actuarial soundness. Throughout the day, we heard multiple testimonies on the importance of the pension systems in Houston. The committee will try to evaluate the feasibility, costs, and benefits of utilizing one-time funding increases to reduce or eliminate unfunded liabilities.

Recently I attend the Associated Builders & Contractors of Greater Houston's breakfast on workforce development and how they are currently addressing workforce development needs. The panel spoke about best practices and recommendations to meet future workforce development demand and discover how leaders are working to promote a positive industry image and demonstrate the career opportunities in construction.

To honor Seabrook Intermediate on their 50th anniversary, I had the honor to speak at the celebration and provide administrators with a legislative resolution. To read the full resolution, click here.

Eliza and I had the great pleasure to attend the 2016 Armed Forces Day Military Ball. The event is organized by the Houston Military Affairs Committee. The objectives and purposes of the committee are to promote the image of the Armed Forces of the United States by providing a forum for appropriate speakers, participating in special events having local and national significance, supporting the activities of both Active and Reserve Forces, and creating an organization which will meet the professional and social needs of its members in the Houston area.

LyondellBasell Bayport Choate Plant Tour

Recently I had to pleasure to tour the LyondellBasell Bayport Choate Plant which manufactures propylene oxide (PO), Tertiary Butyl Alcohol (TBA), and Propylene Glycol (PG).

They employ 400 people including contractors and has an annual payroll of $43 million. The plant pays $3.5 million annually in property taxes and purchases more than $110 million in local goods and services each year.

LyondellBassell priorities right now are Coastal Spine (Storm Surge Protection), Heavy Haul, and the negative news articles about industry safety. I will work alongside the Texas Chemical Council to make sure industry and the community benefit from the economics benefits available to the are.

Transportation Update

House District 129

Over the weekend, southbound main lanes were switched onto new concrete to allow for completion of Bay Area Blvd, to grade level. This allowed for the connection of pavement already placed on the east and west side of IH-45. The target date to open Bay Area to Grande is June 30, 2016

The reconstruction of FM 2351 has begun and is estimated to be completed in September.

Currently, construction on IH 45 main lanes southbound is ongoing from Dixie Farm road to Medical Center drive; this will include constructing both southbound FM 2351 overpass and Bay Area Blvd overpass.

Total completion of segment I from Nyack Rd to south of FM 2351 and segment II from south of FM 2351 to south of Medical Center drive is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2018

Capitol Visitor Information

My staff and I welcome everyone to visit our office as well as the historic Capitol building. If you are planning a trip to the Capitol be sure to stop by our office, Room E2.814. Here are some helpful tips for your visit:

Texas Capitol Visitor Center

Texas State Preservation Board

The Bullock Texas State History Museum