Update from the Capitol - April 18, 2023

Hi Kronda,

Since my last email to you, the House took up HB 1, the General Appropriations Bill. This determines the proposed budget that the House will send to the Senate, and then the two chambers will confer to come up with a final shared budget plan that the Legislature can support and pass. It was a long day and night, but the work is done and now we have moved on to hundreds of other important pieces of legislation that will affect the people of Texas.

We are about 2/3rd of the way through the 88th Legislative Session. It's going to get even more fast-paced as we head toward Sine Die. There is a lot more work still to be done.

I appreciate hearing from all of you, and considering your thoughts on the various items working through the House calendar. Please call our office any time (512-463-0478), and if I am in a meeting or on the House floor, one of my outstanding staff members can assist you.

Yours in service,

House Bill 1 is the Texas budget for the next biennium, and last Thursday we debated 900 pages of legislation and over 300 amendments on the House floor to get it passed.

I was proud to stand with Rep. Cody Vasut and sign on to Amendment 28, which provides $80 million more in biennium funding for the state's Alternatives to Abortion program. Rep. Vasut reported that demand for services are up 43% since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. I maintain my firm position that to be pro-life means we must support mothers, mothers-to-be, and their precious children. This is a clear effort toward helping Texas families start healthy and stay healthy.

Then, we also just passed House Bill 2 which will provide meaningful, lasting property tax relief -- by lowering school district property taxes by 28%, and reducing the limit on annual appraisal increases to 5% for all types of property in the state. Relief from crippling property tax bills was a priority throughout my time on the campaign trail, and I'm glad to make good on the promise to fight for homeowners. Hope this is a bit of good news on Tax Day!

It was a pleasure to sit down with Gov. Greg Abbott this week and talk about his legislative priorities and mine.

Our HD-65 team continues to work on legislation in many areas of impact; you can always see a list here of all the bills we have filed to date, as well as their latest status, which is updated in real time by House Administration. We will continue to update you with featured legislation in each newsletter.

HB 1686: Forbidding Gender Transition Surgery on Children; Blocking State Funds for Medical Providers who Transition a Child's Gender

I'm proud to be a co-author on this bill by Dr. Tom Oliverson that will keep children safe from unconscionable and harmful medical experimentation by holding accountable the medical professionals and facilities who cooperate with gender reassignment procedures.

HB 23: Save Women's Sports

Also proud to be a co-author on Rep. Valoree Swanson's bill that will prevent males from competing in high school sports with girls or college sports with women.

HB 2134: Allowing Local Governments to Fight Human Trafficking

This bill is out of committee and headed to Calendars! I appreciate the support from Lewisville Mayor TJ Gilmore who came to Austin to testify in support of this bill and its potential to help local law enforcement when they suspect human trafficking or prostitution.

HB 3372: Increasing Transparency in Campaign Finance Reporting

This was a complicated procedural bill but I'm pleased that the Elections Committee has voted 9-0 to report it favorably. If it passes, this bill will codify the way that small credit card transactions are logged on campaign finance reports, to help provide clearer records for the public regarding the intent of the donor and recipient.

Greater North Texas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Lewisville ISD Counselors Monya Crow & Jill Adams

Loved meeting with the District 10 ladies of the Texas Retired Teachers Association!

Congrats to the Marcus HS Lady Marauders on your decisive victory at the UIL 6A Girls Soccer State Championship on Saturday! #WeBelieved #BroughtItHome

🗳️ Early voting in your local city and school board elections begins Monday, April 24! 🗳️

• Click here for a list of early voting locations in the HD-65 district, along with EV hours and dates.

• ☝️ Remember: during early voting, a Denton County resident can vote anywhere in Denton County. On Election Day, you will have to vote at your home precinct polling location.

• Check your voter registration status here. Remember, if you have moved, you have to update your registration even if you stayed within Denton County.

There is a lot of great things happening in HD-65. Do you have an event that our office should attend? Please get in touch by emailing us at Elena.Glassman@House.Texas.Gov

Congratulations to Officer Collin Sullivan of the Flower Mound Police Dept. on his 32 years of service in law enforcement!

Good friends Juanita and Willie Rainwater at the kickoff of Dr. Andrew Palacios for Carrollton City Council

City of Lewisville opened the doors on its newly remodeled Frederick Herring Rec Center this month!

Lewisville leaders showing up to celebrate the grand re-opening of Herring Rec Center.

Thank you to Commissioner Kevin Falconer and JP Blanca Oliver for addressing the local candidate forum of TRRW! 👠

Carrollton Women's Club spring luncheon theme was "Don't Mess With Texas Women!" These lovely ladies raised $1000's of dollars for student scholarships.

We want to celebrate important events in our community -- student accomplishments, business milestones, and significant dates and anniversaries -- with you. Please get in touch with our office to inquire.

Click here for the archive of Rep. Thimesch's newsletter.



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