April 24th Friday Five by Representative Shelton
Texas State Budget________________
The Texas House of Representatives successfully passed the state budget on Friday, April 17th. The debate lasted 19 hours, and I feel that my colleagues and I were able to make responsible decisions for the fiscal future of our Great State. I voted in favor of teacher pay increases, property tax relief, and much-needed funding for Hurricane Ike recovery. Most importantly, we were able to meet our financial goals without dipping into the rainy day fund! It is my hope that the Legislature’s fiscal responsibility will ensure a bright future for the people of District 97 and generations to come.
Protecting Crime Victims___________
H.B. 1372 passed out of the House of Representatives on Thursday, April 22nd. This bill will allow victims of human trafficking to be eligible for assistance, such as rehabilitation services, in order to cope with the effects of this horrible crime. The bill will be sponsored in the Senate by Senator Leticia Van de Putte. I will keep you up-to-date on all actions taken with this bill as it moves toward enrollment.
Texas Teens and Tanning____________
As a pediatrician and father of four, I know the importance of protecting our children from harm. We have laws to protect our youth from cigarettes, which is carcinogenic. H.B. 1310 proposes similar measures to protect Texas children from the harmful health effects of tanning beds by requiring parental consent. I am proud to have authored this legislation alongside Chairman Burt Solomons. This bill passed out of the House on Wednesday, April 22nd, and I am looking forward to its progress in the Senate.
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Affirming States’ Rights____________
H.C.R. 50, which reaffirms the rights of Texas under the Tenth Amendment, was heard in the Committee on State Affairs on Tuesday, April 21st. It is my belief that Texans should have the right for their representatives in Austin to decide what is best for this Great State. I am proud to be a coauthor of this concurrent resolution and look forward to its passage to the House floor. For more information on my support of H.C.R. 50, please see the Fort Worth Star-Telegram article from Tuesday, April 21st, “Legislators consider telling the U.S. government to ‘cease and desist.’”
Pharmacy Insurance Cards_________
H.B 1138 passed out of the Committee on Insurance on Wednesday, April 22nd. This bill will streamline the standard information available on pharmacy insurance cards in order to decrease patient wait time at the pharmacy counter. I am looking forward to presenting this bill on the House floor in the near future!
I would like to thank you all for your continued support! Please visit my Website and Facebook page for continued updates on the 81st Legislative Session!
Sincerely,
Representative Mark M. Shelton, M.D.
District 97
District Office Capitol Office
Peeler Howell Clayton Stewart
District Director Chief of Staff
1050 Forest Park Blvd. P.O. Box 2910
Suite 200 Austin, TX 78768
Fort Worth, TX 76110 512-463-0608
817-927-0061
