From Representative Rodney Anderson, District 105
Session Update
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – As we begin the last month of the legislative session, Representative Anderson has successfully finished laying out his bills in committees including HB 2622, HB 2979, and HB 1227. HB 2622 was brought to Representative Anderson by the Dallas County Utility and Reclamation District (“DCURD”) and seeks to provide authorization for the DCURD Tax Collector to file a tax abatement on behalf of single-family property owners. Many property owners do not fully understand the requirements to claim this exemption, specifically the annual filing requirements of the Texas Tax Code, and this bill in effect would automatically qualify them for this tax abatement.
HB 2979, also known as the Hearing Aid Coverage for Children Act, would require a health benefit plan to provide coverage for the cost of a medically necessary hearing aid and related services and supplies for a covered individual who is 18 years of age or younger. Representative Anderson said, “HB 2979 is an important step to ensure that children receive the hearing aids they need early in life; not only does it prepare those children to be productive later in life, it also potentially saves the State of Texas hundreds of thousands of dollars in special education and rehabilitation costs per child.”
HB 1227 has been discussed by the legislature since Representative Anderson first took office in 2011. This bill seeks to eliminate the mandate that a school district assess the physical fitness of students. HB 1227 does not reduce physical activity of children or lower physical fitness standards in schools. Instead, it allows school districts the flexibility to evaluate physical fitness how they choose, effectively removing a mandate from our public education system.
Representative Anderson’s bill which relates to fines associated with overweight vehicles, HB 1230, passed the House on May 7th. This bill will help police officers prevent overweight vehicles from driving on roads not intended to support their weight.
House and Senate Budget negotiators held their first public meeting on April 28th. The House selected Representatives Otto, Gonzales, Turner, Ashby, and Davis, as members of the conference committee, and the Senate named Senators Nelson, Hinojosa, Huffman, Kolkhorst, and Schwertner, to the conference committee. The House budget approves spending $209.8 billion over the 2016-2017 biennium, while the Senate-approved budget allocates $211.4 billion. In keeping spending well under population growth and inflation, the House-approved budget would only be 1.95% annual growth while the Senate-approved budget would still be a minimal 2.3% annual growth. The conference committee will continue to meet over the next few weeks before presenting a final budget to their respective chambers for approval.
Representative Anderson appreciates hearing the thoughts and opinions of his constituents. He values knowing the input of the people he serves and the active role his constituents take in state government. He encourages constituents to contact his office by email at: District105.Anderson@house.state.tx.us or by phone: (512) 463-0641.
In the District & On the Floor
Uplift North Hill Preparatory School had a field trip to the Capitol on April 28th. Students met with Representative Anderson, toured the Capitol, and were able to watch session from the gallery.
Representative Anderson attended Main Street Fest in Grand Prairie over the weekend of April 24th-25th. This was a free, community event featuring live music, arts and crafts, business expo, entertainment, and a BMX/skate street show.
Representative Anderson and his family attended the Grand Prairie Cinco de Mayo Parade and Festival in downtown Grand Prairie on May 4th.
On May 5th, Representative Anderson attended a Memorial Service for fallen peace officers. Each legislative session a service is held to honor those officers who have died in the line of duty.
Back in the district, Advantage Academy Lady Eagles varsity girls softball team beat Corpus Christi College Preparatory 20-0 on May 2nd to win the 2015 Texas Charter School Academic and Athletic League State Championship. Congratulations!
On May 5th Irving ISD, along with representatives from the City of Irving and local colleges, broke ground on The Outdoor Learning Center, a 25-acre tract of land north of Singley Academy. Irving ISD has partnered with the city of Irving and Dallas County Community College District to design and construct the project, which includes trails, a water reclamation station, and a museum-style learning facility. Construction will begin this summer with the hope of completion next spring to coincide with Earth Day 2016.
Due to the installation of synthetic turf at the on-campus game fields at Irving High School, Nimitz High School and MacArthur High School, the fields and track will be closed for student and public use from May through July. The turf project is expected to be complete by August and the facilities will reopen at that time.
Irving ISD has designated Friday, May 22nd and Monday, May 25th as bad weather make-up days that Irving ISD was closed due to inclement weather this year. Grand Prairie ISD has designated Thursday, June 4th as a bad weather make up day.
Representative Anderson would also like to recognize the teachers in Grand Prairie ISD, Irving ISD, and other schools across HD 105 for their hard work and dedication to our youth, particularly this week during Teacher Appreciation Week. Irving and Grand Prairie have many teachers who go beyond simply teaching. They inspire our students to be lifelong learners and strive for academic excellence and for that Representative Anderson is thankful.
Upcoming Events
Irving Concert Series – Irving’s annual concert series showcases live music performances from a variety of genres at Whistlestop Plaza in downtown Irving. All concerts are held outdoors from 7:00 to 8:30 pm on the second and fourth Friday of the month, now thought the month of June. For more information click here.
Grand Prairie Mayor’s Community Table – Grand Prairie residents are invited to the Mayor’s Community Table, a series of luncheons hosted by Mayor Ron Jensen designed to celebrate diversity in Grand Prairie. The first luncheon of the series will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 21, at the Ruthe Jackson Center, 3113 S. Carrier Pkwy. The cost of the event will be $5 per person. To attend, please RSVP to 972-237-8012 or pmarcum@gptx.org.
Grand Prairie City Council – City Council meetings are open to the public, and input is welcome. There will be a meeting May 19th starting at 6:30 pm at City Hall located at 317 College Street, Grand Prairie.
Irving City Council – Residents are welcome to attend Council Work Sessions and City Council meetings held at Irving City Hall, 825 W. Irving Blvd. Next City Council meeting: June 3rd at 7:00 pm. Next Council Work Session: June 4th at 1:00 pm. *May 20th and May 21st City council will have a budget retreat.
Grand Prairie Summer Reading Kick-Off Party – On May 30th from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM Grand Prairie Main Library (901 Conover Drive, Grand Prairie) will host their Summer Reading Kick-Off Party. Meet firefighters and see the awesome equipment they use to fight fires. There will be reading programs for all ages – kids, teens, and adults. Kids earn coupons as they read; teens and adults earn entries into prize drawings.
Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program (TASSP) – This scholarship is now open for nominations for the 2015-2016 academic year. Each year, this program allows both the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor to appoint two students and each Texas State Senator and Texas State Representative to appoint one student, to receive an initial conditional scholarship award. Please contact our office if you would like more information about this scholarship opportunity.
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