With August upon us, and the school year just around the corner, I hope you and your family are enjoying what little is left of the summer vacation. As we prepare for the school year, I wanted to remind everyone that Tax Free Weekend in Texas will be held on August 10-12th. If you’re like me, you’re always looking for ways to save a few dollars. Tax Free Weekend is a great opportunity to get our kiddos ready for school, while also saving money on tax-exempt items such as clothing, shoes, and school supplies. Be sure to mark these dates on your calendar so that you can take advantage of this awesome cost-saving opportunity!
With that said, here’s an update from your State Capitol. . .
House Interim Charge: County Affairs
Next up on our tour of House Committees is the Committee on County Affairs. This nine member committee has jurisdiction over the organization, creation, governance, and finances that apply to Texas counties. Additionally, the committee oversees regional councils of government and the cooperation between local units of government and their respective counties. This committee also has purview over the Texas Commission on Jail Standards, which is responsible for the construction, maintenance, and operations of our county correctional facilities.
With Hurricane Harvey dominating most of the interim committee topics, it comes as no surprise that the County Affairs Committee will spend a great deal of time examining emergency responsiveness at the county level. More specifically, the committee will identify ways that counties and other local entities can improve efficiencies, manage costs, and promote public safety in the event of a natural disaster. With respect to post-Harvey recovery, the committee’s work this interim will be particularly important to ensure that our local governments are both receiving, and properly managing additional resources that will help mitigate the destruction of future natural disasters.
Aside from Harvey related charges, County Affairs will also study how counties identify defendants’ and inmates’ behavioral health needs and deferral opportunities to assist in providing rehabilitative and transition services. This charge will help ensure that defendants and inmates with mental illness receive the appropriate care upon their release from the criminal justice system.
Reminders
The mobile office returns in the month of August and looks forward to seeing you on the following dates, in the following locations: August 15th from 9:00-11:00am at the Houston County Courthouse Annex in Crockett, and from 1:30-3:30pm at the Trinity County Courthouse in
Groveton; or on August 22nd from 9:00-11:00am at the San Augustine County Courthouse in San Augustine.
As always, please do not hesitate to contact our office if we can help you in any way. Our district office may be reached at (936) 634-2762, or you can call my Capitol office at (512) 463-0508.
