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Under the Pink Dome: Updates from the 88th Legislative Session
House Speaker Releases Additional Priorities – House Speaker Dade Phelan shared more of his top legislative priorities, including bills that address the state’s framework for broadband development, creation of a dedicated funding source for improving water infrastructure, and third-party reviews for public housing development projects. House Bill 9 by Representative Ashby (R-Lufkin) would create the Texas Broadband Infrastructure Fund, a key component of funding broadband expansion projects and efforts of the state broadband plan and office. House Bill 10 by Representative King (D-Uvalde) would dedicate billions of dollars to water development projects to improve water infrastructure and security. House Bill 14 by Representative Harris (R-Palestine) aims to support increased demand for affordable housing in the state by introducing third-party reviews of cities and counties that fail to complete housing projects in a timely manner.
MHM Supports Priority Health Coverage Expansion Bills for Moms & Kids – The House Select Committee on Health Care Reform heard public testimony on House Bill 12 by Representative Rose (D-Dallas) and House Bill 1599 by Representative John Bucy (D-Austin). Methodist Healthcare Ministries’ Policy & Advocacy team submitted written testimony and registered in support of both bills. House Bill 12 would extend Medicaid coverage for new moms for 12 months to provide postpartum care. This legislation is a top priority for Texas leadership and has been voted out favorably by the House Select Committee. HB 1599 aims to expand coverage for eligible yet unenrolled children via an “express lane” process. If passed, enrollment of eligible children into the state Medicaid program would be expedited as a result of their enrollment in other state assistance programs.
ACTION ALERT: Help Keep Texas Kids & Moms Covered Using StayCoveredTX.org - MHM funded partner, Texas Care for Children (TxCFC), is requesting the help of community organizations and others working with Medicaid beneficiaries to help prevent a spike in uninsured children and mothers as continuous coverage unwinds April 1. To support this work, TxCFC has launched StayCoveredTX.org. The new site is filled with information relating to rule changes in the state Medicaid program, important deadlines, and those most at risk of losing their healthcare coverage during the state’s redeterminations process.
Bill Filed to Create Texas Water Fund – Senator Perry (R-Lubbock) has filed Senate Bill 28 that would create an established funding source for the Water Development Board to receive current and future appropriated funds to improve water infrastructure across the state. The bill would focus efforts on water projects to ensure future resource availability, specifically through desalination, and pipelines to transport water from other states. You can access the 2022 State Water Plan here. Methodist Healthcare Ministries understands the importance of access to clean and safe drinking water for the health and wellness of the community and has made this a top policy priority. Learn how MHM is partnering with the Texas A&M School of Public Health to test water quality in border communities and train students to test their own water sources through its Safe Water Project.
Texas Senate Confirms Nelson as Secretary of State – Jane Nelson, former Senator and Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, was unanimously confirmed by the Senate as Texas’ Secretary of State this month. The former senator from Fort Worth served Senate District 12 for over 30 years and was the first woman to chair the powerful Senate Finance Committee and oversee the drafting of the state’s two-year budget. She will be active in developing the state’s economy as well as cultivating foreign relationships in her role as Texas’ major ambassador. Read story here.
Property Tax Relief Proposals Announced – Both House Speaker Dade Phelan and Lt. Governor Dan Patrick have made property tax relief a legislative priority, although their proposals take on different approaches. Lt. Governor Patrick shared information at a recent press conference, and explained how his approach would raise the state’s homestead exemption on school districts, reducing the amount of a home’s value that could be taxed. Proposals in the House chamber look to tighten appraisal caps, limiting a school district’s tax levy on property owners. Both proposals aim to appropriate $5.3 billion to extend existing property cuts and dedicate additional funding to make further cuts to school taxes. Details on both proposals can be found here.
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