Neighbors,
We're now in the midst of a second special session, with 17 agenda items waiting to be tackled in the House. As a legislature, we achieved a great deal during the 87th Regular Session, though there's more work to be done. This includes providing a 13th check for retired teachers, property-tax relief, election integrity, supporting our foster care programs and reforming Texas’ bail system, to name a few. If you stay even remotely in touch with our state or national news, it should be no secret that the Texas Legislature is in somewhat of a holding pattern due to the lack of a quorum. Governor Abbott maintains that he will continue to call special session after special session until these items are addressed, and whether you know much about me or not, I sure don’t sit well and care even less for the notion of idleness.
In the meantime, I will continue to show up for the job I signed up to do, and my office will continue to work for you and on future legislation. If there are issues you'd like for us to look into, we welcome your collaboration and ask that you keep us informed. Please don’t ever hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, comments or issues we may help with.
Sincerely,
eb4
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1: Memorial Day at the HEARTS Veteran's Museum. 2: Mr. James W. Floyd receiving a resolution from Rep. Bailes for earning a degree in physics at the age of 75 from Sam Houston State University.
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1: Liberty County Judge Jay Knight presents a proclamation to Mary Anne Campbell, the outgoing Chamber President who has given countless years of service to the Liberty-Dayton Area Chamber. 2: The Lady Panthers attend a parade in their honor, for winning the Class 4A softball state championship.
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1: The Windham School District announced Cheri Barlow as the 2021 District Teacher of the Year and recipient of the Lane Murray Excellence in Teaching Award. 2: The Bearcat National Championship Celebration and Parade in downtown Huntsville.
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1: The Walker County Republican Women sponsor First Responder Appreciation Day at the Courthouse Gazebo. 2: Dr. Lane Aiena receives a member resolution from Rep. Bailes congratulating him on his selection as Huntsville Citizen of the Year by the Huntsville Item.
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1: Jeanette, our wonderful District Liaison, serving lemonade with Hayes and Amelia to benefit the SAAFE house. 2: Jeanette presents Brent Munoz of New Waverly with a State of Texas Congratulatory Certificate for his state track meet win. 3: The CASA of Walker, San Jacinto & Trinity Counties "Christmas in July" Bingo Fundraiser. 4: Superintendent Dr. Jessica Johnson (Dayton ISD) gives the "State of the School" at the Dayton Chamber's New Teacher Luncheon.
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Agenda Items for the second Special Session
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1 | Bail Reform
Legislation reforming the bail system in Texas to protect the public from accused criminals who may be released on bail.
2 | Election Integrity
Legislation strengthening the integrity of elections in Texas.
3 | Federal Relief Appropriations
Legislation providing appropriations from unappropriated available revenues for COVID-19-related healthcare expenses, taking into consideration the approximately $10.5 billion in funds received by local governments intended to be used on COVID-19 from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
4 | Education
Legislation providing strategies for public-school education in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade during the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring students receive a high-quality education, in-person learning is available for any student whose parent wants it, the wearing of face coverings is not mandatory, and COVID-19 vaccinations are always voluntary.
5 | Border Security
Legislation enhancing criminal laws or providing funding from unappropriated available revenues to support law-enforcement agencies and counties as part of Texas' comprehensive border security plan.
6 | Social Media Censorship
Legislation safeguarding the freedom of speech by protecting social-media and email users from being censored based on the user's expressed viewpoints, including by providing a legal remedy for those wrongfully excluded from a platform.
7 | Article X Funding
Legislation providing appropriations from unappropriated available revenues to the Legislature and legislative agencies in Article X of the General Appropriations Act.
8 | Family Violence Prevention
Legislation requiring schools to provide appropriate education to middle and high-school students about dating violence, domestic violence, and child abuse, but that recognizes the right of parents to opt their children out of the instruction.
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9 | Youth Sports
Legislation disallowing a student from competing in University Interscholastic League athletic competitions designated for the sex opposite to the student's sex at birth.
10 | Abortion-Inducing Drugs
Legislation which prohibits people from providing abortion-inducing drugs by mail or delivery service, strengthens the laws applicable to the reporting of abortions and abortion complications, and ensures that no abortion-inducing drugs are provided unless there is voluntary and informed consent.
11 | Thirteenth Check
Legislation relating to a "thirteenth check" or one-time supplemental payment of benefits under the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.
12 | Critical Race Theory
Legislation concerning critical race theory.
13 | Appropriations
Legislation providing appropriations from unappropriated available revenues for property tax relief, enhanced protection for the safety of children in Texas' foster-care system by attracting and retaining private providers for the system, and to better safeguard the state from potential cybersecurity threats.
14 | Primary Elections
Legislation modifying the filing periods and related election dates, including any runoffs, for primary elections held in Texas in 2022.
15 | Radioactive Waste
Legislation reforming the laws governing radioactive waste to protect the safety of Texans, including by further limiting the ability to store and transport high-level radioactive materials in this state.
16 | Employment
Legislation shielding private employers and employees from political subdivision rules, regulations, ordinances, and other actions that require any terms of employment that exceed or conflict with federal or state law relating to any form of employment leave, hiring practices, employment benefits, or scheduling practices.
17 | State Legislature
Legislation relating to legislative quorum requirements.
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2021-2022 Texas Armed Services Scholarship
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The 81st Texas Legislature created the Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program (TASSP) to encourage students to participate in Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) programs at Texas institutions of higher education. The program also encourages students to become members of the Texas Army National Guard, the Texas Air Force National Guard, or commissioned officers in any branch of the armed services of the United States.
Each year, the governor and the lieutenant governor may each appoint two students, and each state senator and state representative may appoint one student to receive a TASSP scholarship. Students must meet specific requirements to be eligible for nomination and to receive a scholarship.
Nominations for the TASSP are open for the 2021-2022 academic year (fall 2021/spring 2022) and will close by Aug. 31, 2021. The scholarship amount for the 2021-2022 academic year is estimated at a maximum of $10,000, but is subject to change based on available funding and will vary by student.
Eligibility for nomination (meet two of the following four criteria):
- Be on track to graduate high school in a Distinguished Achievement Program or International Baccalaureate program
- Maintain a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- Be ranked in the top third of high school graduating class
- Achieve an SAT score of 1070 or ACT score of 23
Once you've determined your eligibility, (and you are a constituent of House District 18), please send your resume and a cover letter to our office here. You may find more information about the TASSP scholarship program here.
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District Office: 936-628-6687
10501 Hwy 150, Suite B
Shepherd, TX 77371
P.O. Box 1116
Shepherd, TX 77371
Walker County Office
1414 11th Street
Huntsville, TX 77340
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Capitol Office: 512-463-0570
1100 Congress Avenue, E2.812
Austin, TX 78701
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
Liberty County Office
1923 Sam Houston Street
Liberty, TX 77575
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