In the coming days, we will once again commemorate Veterans Day in America. With that in mind, I want to begin this column by thanking the brave men and women who have served, or are currently serving, in our nation’s armed forces. We are fortunate to be surrounded by those who selflessly risk their own lives so that we can live with the freedom that our country was founded upon. I hope you will thank a veteran this week and keep those who are currently serving, as well as their families, in your prayers. Now, on to the latest from your State Capitol…
Election Day 2016
The November election is just around the corner, early voting has started, and I want to make sure you’re armed with as much information as possible as you head to polls. Here’s some helpful information for making sure you get to the polls on time and that you’re able to cast your ballot when you arrive:
• Election Day is November 8th!
• Early voting continues until Friday, November 4th. Any registered voter can take part in early voting and I strongly encourage you to do so.
• When you arrive at the polls, you will be asked to present ONE of these seven forms of approved photo identification: (1) Texas driver license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS); (2) Texas personal identification card issued by DPS; (3) Texas handgun license issued by DPS; (4) United States military identification card containing the person’s photograph; (5) United States citizenship certificate containing the person’s photograph; (6) United States passport; or (7) a Free Texas Election Identification Certificate issued by DPS.
• The address on an acceptable form of photo identification presented by the voter does not have to match the address on the list of registered voters.
• For more information about voter identification requirements and additional information such as election deadlines, visit www.votetexas.gov. You can also call the Texas Secretary of State’s toll-free hotline, 1-800-252-VOTE.
In addition to these resources, please do not hesitate to call my office for any other information regarding the election.
House Interim Charge: Select Committee on State & Federal Power & Responsibility
In light of the Presidential election at the top of this year’s November ballot, I wanted to update you on the issues being studied by the House Committee on State & Federal Power & Responsibility. The first area the Committee is looking into this interim is how Texas’ regulations and policy decisions are driven by mandates handed down by our federal government. The Committee is interested in finding out whether it would be more efficient and beneficial for the state to cut ties with some federal funding streams that come with too many strings attached, as well as assess how other states have succeeded or failed in their efforts to do the same.
The Committee is also focusing on what action has been taken by the federal government to respond to resolutions adopted by the Texas Legislature in recent sessions. In some cases, the federal government has largely ignored these resolutions and it is critical to understand how these actions could be made more effective. Moreover, the Committee is looking at what alternative avenues may be available to the Legislature when the body hopes to take a strong stance against the federal government and their tendency to infringe upon state’s rights.
Reminders
The mobile office is on the road for the month of November. Come see us around the district on these days and times: Wednesday, November 2nd at the Leon County Courthouse in Centerville from 9am-11am or at the Madison County Courthouse Annex in Madisonville from 1:30pm-3:30pm. Also visit us on Wednesday, November 16th at the Houston County Courthouse Annex in Crockett from 9am-11am or at the Trinity County Courthouse in Groveton from 1:30pm-3:30pm. The mobile office will discontinue until after the holidays, but please visit us in the Lufkin district office (2915 Atkinson Dr, Lufkin, TX) where we’ll be working hard on constituent care and preparing for the upcoming legislative session. In addition, please do not hesitate to call the office if we can help you in any way. My district office may be reached at (936) 634-2762, or you can call my Capitol office at (512) 463-0508.
