As part of our Texas Lege preview we talked to DonnaHowardTX who's looking for something “more strategic than knee-jerk property tax relief.”
Rep. Donna Howard has a mind swimming with ideas for the next session. Up first, as part of the Appropriations Committee that manages the state budget, she's looking at the unique financial situation before Texas – a $27 billion surplus."It should be something more strategic rather than knee-jerk property tax relief." Gov.
Republicans are traditionally opposed to busting the cap, but Howard saw it happen in 2007 as a freshman representative, when Republicans agreed to it to deliver on a multibillion-dollar promise of property tax relief. Howard and other Democrats this session are looking to increase state funding to education as a workaround to reduce local school property taxes , while also increasing teacher pay.
Howard, who also heads the Texas Women's Health Caucus, has filed a bill that would create exceptions to the state's abortion bans in cases of rape and incest and another that would require Alternatives to Abortion programs to have metrics tied to their funding so the state can determine if they achieve what they claim .
But one of the best changes the state could make for new moms, Howard says, is expanding Texas Medicaid. The House passed a bill last session to extend health care for moms several months postpartum, but the details will be hammered out this session. She emphasizes that pregnancy and birth can lead to health consequences lasting much longer than one year, and that a healthy pregnancy begins with a mother who already has a primary physician. Both can be addressed through Medicaid expansion.
Also related to maternal health and mortality, Howard will press for more investment in mental health resources, which Republicans expressed support for after the Uvalde shooting.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Texas Lege Preview: Rep. Sheryl Cole, HD 46As part of our Texas Lege preview we talked to SherylCole1: “I try to keep the lines of communication open [and] help them ... so they’ll help me.”
Read more »
Texas Lege Preview: Rep. Gina Hinojosa, HD 49As part of our Texas Lege preview we talked to GinaForAustin: “The public education session, for better or worse.”
Read more »
Texas Lege Preview: Rep. John Bucy III, HD 136As part of our Texas Lege preview we talked to BucyForTexas: “Any progress to get back to where we treat all humans as equal ... I’ll of course support”
Read more »
GOP names Rep. Green to chair Homeland Security, Rep. Smith to lead Ways and Means committeesRepublicans tapped their leaders for two prominent committees on Monday, officially starting their business for their legislative agenda.
Read more »
Texas Rep. Veronica Escobar says Biden policies a 'band-aid,' urges Congress to actPresident Biden's efforts to alleviate the border crisis are 'just temporary band-aids,' Rep. Veronica Escobar told CBS' 'Face the Nation' Sunday, emphasizing that the situation needs to be addressed via legislation from Congress.
Read more »
Texas Legislature 101: The art of Texas politicsLawmaking in Texas is a fast-paced political process that is unique compared to other states. We sat down with TCU political science professor and political analyst Scott Braddock to learn the art of Texas politics.
Read more »