I know that in my meetings with superintendents, school board members and teachers, there is much more the state can do to strengthen our public schools and give our kids every possible opportunity to reach their highest potential.   I saw a couple of stories recently that reminded me of these challenges.

The Dallas Morning News recently reported on the growing number of teachers who moonlight to make ends meet. According to a recent study conducted by Sam Houston State University, 40% of Texas teachers work one or more jobs, in addition to teaching.  The number of teachers working two jobs has increased 50% increased in just two years. Additionally, “47 percent of those surveyed said they have seriously considered leaving the profession.”   This is a serious problem – we’re not going to attract and retain the best teachers if we don’t pay an adequate wage.

This week, the Houston Chronicle reported that numerous school districts around the state of Texas are likely to once again sue the state over an inadequate finance system.  In 2006, the Legislature froze school districts’ funding, causing serious financial strain on most districts across the state.  Just as I advocated in my first session, the Legislature should get serious about our school funding problems and address the issue in a meaningful way – before being ordered to do so by the courts.

I believe that there aren’t a lot of problems Texans can’t solve if we really put our minds to it.  School funding is no different.  We need for Democrats and Republicans in the Legislature to come together and find some common ground on this issue.  And we should do it soon.

Tax Free Weekend Just Around the Corner

With school starting back soon, that means it’s time for Texas’ annual tax-free weekend.   This year it is August 20-22, and your family can save on back to school gear, including clothes, backpacks, shoes, pens and crayons. For a full list of tax free items, click here.

New Veterans Lottery Ticket Hits Stores

A couple weeks ago, the newest Veterans Cash scratch off ticket went on sale and in just a week and a half, over $1.1 million worth of the new tickets have been sold across the state, bringing the total ticket sales to $28.8 million since November. New Veterans Lottery Ticket Hits Stores.

With 23% going straight to the Fund for Veterans Assistance (the rest goes to pay prize winners and a little bit to administrative costs), the $28.8 million in ticket sales translates into over $6.6 million for veterans and their families in need of emergency services, transportation to VA facilities or PTSD counseling.

I have said it before and I will say it again:  I am so proud to have been able to work on this effort and to make this ticket a reality. So far, $3.6 million in grants checks have been cut, helping countless veterans in times of need.

That said, my connection with organized sports is pretty much confined to that of a fan and spectator.  I never really played sports as a kid, and the few times I did, it wasn’t always pretty.  OK, it never was.

So I was simultaneously excited and terrified when I was recently invited to throw out the first pitch at a Texas Rangers game.  While I have a fair amount of experience and comfort level appearing in front of large crowds, the first pitch concept was, shall we say, outside my comfort zone.  Nonetheless, I was thrilled about the opportunity.

Somewhat excitedly, I told Lisa that I was going to throw out the first pitch.  “Don’t do it,” she advised.  “Politics and sports don’t mix well.”

OK.  I figured a male friend would appreciate the significance of throwing out a first pitch.  So I called a longtime friend, who’ll remain nameless (let’s just call him “Josh”) about my upcoming adventure.  The conversation went like this:

Me: “You’ll never believe this.  I am throwing out the first pitch at a Texas Rangers game.  July 5^th!”

“Josh:” dead silence

Me: “You still there?”

“Josh:” “Um, yeah.  You kind of wish they would ask you to do something you’re good at, like give a speech.”

So with that vote of confidence, I began my training.  I was fortunate to have two friends who know what they’re doing when it comes to baseball, and even though they did not have a lot to work with, they got me to where I could throw a decent pitch.

As game day approached my level of apprehension increased considerably.  I started having dreams nightmares about throwing the ball into the dirt, or shanking it to the right or left.

My family members tried to offer me sound advice:  my stepson Scott, who is a student at Texas State, offered this gem:  “Just don’t throw it under-handed.”  His sister, Melissa, devised a complicated plot in which Rangers President/baseball legend Nolan Ryan would throw out the ball, but everyone would think it was really me.

Eventually, the day came – and as nervous as I had been, I felt strangely calm when I finally got out on the field.  Maybe that’s the magic of America’s Pastime.

My first pitch was a first for me – I’m really glad I got to do it.  You probably won’t see this on Sports Center, so be sure to take a look at the video here:

Celebrating Our Nation’s Birthday

Lisa and I had a great time Saturday riding in Arlington’s annual Fourth of July Parade.  With over 130 entries, this is one of the largest parades in the state. The rain held off as tens of thousands of people lined the streets — many show up at the break of dawn to get a good seat. It was a great way to kick off Independence Day weekend and celebrate our nation’s birthday.

And the celebration isn’t over yet. This Saturday, Lisa and I will be riding in the Crowley Celebration of Freedom parade for the third year in a row. As in past years, I know that there will be a great crowd!

A Victory for the Air We Breathe

On Tuesday, TXI announced that it would close all four of its wet cement kilns located in Midlothian, just South of House District 96. This is a great victory for southern Tarrant County residents, who are downwind from the kilns and in the direct path of dangerous pollutants emitted from the plants, including nitrogen oxides, which produce ozone and smog.

The cement industry has come a long way since the “wet kiln” technology was introduced decades ago and there are now much cleaner ways to produce cement.  During the previous legislative session, I voted in favor of an amendment to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Sunset bill that would require TxDOT to buy “green cement” for construction projects. Unfortunately, the amendment (and ultimately, the bill) did not pass, but I will continue to support measures that will improve the air quality in the Metroplex and across Texas.  In the meantime, we all have something to celebrate with TXI’s announcement.

Community Calendar

Each Saturday in July

8:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Burleson Farmer’s Market
Clark and Renfro Streets, Burleson

July 10, 2010

Parade begins at 10 AM
Crowley Celebration of Freedom Parade
Begins at Crowley High School and Ends at Bicentennial Park

July 15, 2010

6:00 to 7:00 PM
UTA Planetarium presents “Unseen Universe”
UTA Planetarium
700 Planetarium Place, Arlington

July 16 through July 18, 2010

Evening Performance -7:00 PM
Matinee – 2:00 PM
Mansfield Community Theatre presents “My Fair Lady”
Kennedale Performing Arts Center 901 Wildcat Way, Kennedale

It’s been a busy few weeks in House District 96. Last week, we wrapped up a series of community seminars and town halls, with nearly 100 attending our Lower Your Utilities Costs seminars in Arlington and Fort Worth.

The presenters from the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), the Public Utility Commission (PUC) and Oncor answered many good and sometimes tough questions from the audience. For those who couldn’t make it out and would like more information on how to find a lower utility rate, please visit www.powertochoose.org, or if you think you could benefit from the Weatherization Assistance Program, call (888) 606-8889 for more information.

Saving Money One Appliance at a Time

One way to save on your electric costs is to use ENERGY STAR® appliances. This weekend, beginning Saturday, May 29 through Memorial Day, Monday, May 31, you can purchase a new ENERGY STAR® appliance and other energy saving household items without paying sales tax. The sales tax holiday applies to items with the ENERGY STAR® label and includes: air conditioners (less than $6,000), refrigerators (less than $2,000), ceiling fans, incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs, clothes washers, dishwashers, dehumidifiers, and programmable thermostats.

Installation and delivery charges for these products will also be tax exempt. For more information, visit www.texaspowerfulsmart.org

HOAs and Foreclosure

Homeowner Associations (HOAs), by and large, do a good job of maintaining the quality of life in their neighborhoods and protecting property values. Many homeowners in Tarrant County benefit from belonging to an HOA. However, there appear to be a few overzealous HOAs — usually run by out of town or out of state management companies — that are being unfairly aggressive with homeowners.

Lately there have been a number of stories about homeowners, many of whom who own their homes outright, receiving notices that their homes have been sold at auction due to foreclosure. If they own their homes, why are they being auctioned off?

HOAs have the power to put liens on the homes of residents who don’t pay their annual dues on time. Dues usually fall in the range of a couple to a few hundred dollars a year. If a resident gets behind, because of financial difficulties or other issues that may make it hard to pay on time, they could lose their home.

That’s exactly what happened to one of my constituents who owned her house in the free and clear, but owed just over $1,000 in HOA dues. Before she knew it, her home had been sold at auction for just $3,200. After a story on WFAA, an anonymous donor has come forward to help her buy her house back.

I spoke with Ms. Mueller about how the laws can be changed to protect people just like her across this state. WFAA-TV was there and you can watch the story here .

Visiting Our Soldiers and Remembering Our Fallen Soldiers

On Tuesday, I flew to El Paso to join fellow members of the House Committee on Defense and Veterans’ Affairs on a tour of Ft. Bliss. During the visit we toured the new construction, including improved housing for soldiers and their families, visited the Restoration and Resilience Center, where soldiers receive treatment and help with PTSD and learned about new innovations in robotics and how they will be used to fight future conflicts and protect the brave men and women who serve on the frontline.

Visiting Ft. Bliss, which has deployed 34,000 soldiers to Iraq and Afghanistan in the last nine years, was a fitting thing to do the week before Memorial Day. Next Monday, let’s remember and give thanks for all of the service members who wore our nation’s uniform and gave to our country, in the words of President Lincoln, “the last full measure of devotion.”

Community Calendar

5/28/2010
7:30 – 9:00 PM
Burleson Hot Sounds of Summer
With The Spazmatics
Burleson Old Town

5/31/2010
9:00 AM
Operation Remember Kick-Off
Burleson Old Town

11:00AM – 2:00 PM
Skyvue Memorial Gardens Memorial Day Celebration
Skyvue Memorial Gardens
7220 FM 1187, Mansfield

6/4/2010
7:00 – 11:00 PM
Mansfield Arts Festival
Steven’s Garden & Grille/Main St
223 Depot St., Mansfield

7:30 – 9:00 PM
Burleson Hot Sounds of Summer
With Victor Trevino, Jr.
Burleson Old Town

6/5/2010
10AM – 2PM
Burleson Recreation Center Grand Opening
550 N.W. Summercrest Blvd., Burleson

10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Mansfield Arts Festival
Steven’s Garden & Grille/Main St
223 Depot St., Mansfield

This week we have a new look to the Turner Telegram, our bimonthly email reporting news from around southern Tarrant County and my work as the State Representative for House District 96. I hope you like it!

It’s been another busy couple of weeks. I want to update you on a few things that have been going on and upcoming events in House District 96.

Veterans’ Benefits Workshop
Our Veterans’ Benefits Workshop was a great success! Over 75 veterans from across House District 96 attended to hear presentations about the disabled veterans property tax exemption, employment services, new educational benefits for veterans and their families and much more.

After hearing the questions asked, it was evident that this workshop was sorely needed and it is my intention to hold future workshops to help our veterans and their families learn more about the benefits they deserve.

If you are a veteran and have questions regarding the benefits available to you and your family, please do not hesitate to contact my office for assistance. My district office number is 817-478-5096 and we would be happy to help you.

Upcoming Event: How to Lower Your Utility Rates
With rising temperatures right around the corner, rising utility bills are soon to follow. To help give southern Tarrant County families the tools they need to keep their utility bills under control, I am hosting two “Lower Your Utility Rates” seminars. We will have speakers from the Public Utility Commission, Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs and Oncor to talk about the new Smart Meters, the Weatherization Assistance Program and how to look for lower utility rates through Power to Choose.

From personal experience, I can tell you that shopping around on the Power to Choose site can make a significant difference. After comparing rates in our area, Lisa and I found one that lowered our monthly bill by about 30%. If you are in the market for a lower rate, visit www.powertochoose.org today.

Awarding the First Grant – $1 Million to Help Veterans
Two weeks ago, I traveled to Houston to join Governor Rick Perry to present a

$1 million grant to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Foundation of Texas. This money was raised from the proceeds of the veterans lottery scratch-off game that was created by legislation I passed last year. The Texas VFW Foundation will be using this $1 million to help veterans who are in need of emergency help with mortgages and rent payments, utility bills and transportation needs.

It was truly an honor to be a part of this event and importantly, to have the opportunity to work on behalf of veterans in order to make this $1 million grant a reality. This is just the first of many grants that will be awarded and it is great to know that we are helping veterans across our great state.

This week, I am bringing back the Community Calendar, which includes upcoming events around southern Tarrant County. If you know of an event that is not listed, please send us an email -district96.turner@house.state.tx.us.

People are very concerned about public schools. They think the state has done an inadequate job of funding education and they would like to see fewer bureaucratic requirements on teachers and less standardized testing pressure on students.
There is growing concern about natural gas drilling in parts of our district and its impact on the health and safety of residents.

People are increasingly fed up with unresponsive and ineffective state agencies which struggle to do the bare minimum when it comes to protecting consumers’ interests, especially in the areas of utilities and insurance.

I agree with all of these concerns and others that were raised in our meetings. In my opening remarks at each meeting, I stressed that fundamental changes have to be made in Austin in order to meet these and the many other challenges facing our state. I know I was frustrated in my first session by the Legislature’s inability to pass homeowner insurance reform and transportation reform and to do more for public schools. The public is frustrated too, and I don’t blame them.

That said, I think our meetings were what American democracy is all about. People were respectful of one another and voiced their opinions in polite, constructive manners. We had a good healthy discussions that allowed all points of view to be heard in a positive way. In a time when politics seems to be defined by people shouting at each other on cable talk shows and negative TV ads, it was refreshing to simply take part in a conversation about the future of our state.

Paying for College

Another issue that came up was the rising cost of a college education. With costs increasing each year, parents and students need more help trying to figure out how to pay for college.

On Monday, March 8 and Tuesday, March 9, I am hosting two “Paying for College” seminars. The seminars will feature representatives from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, North Texas Higher Education Authority and local universities who will give presentations about federal and state financial aid programs, additional financial aid sources and veteran’s educational benefits.

Both events are free and open to the public. The details are as follows:

Monday, March 8, 2010
What: Paying for College Seminar – Arlington
When: Monday, March 8, 2010; 6:30 to 8:00PM
Where: Seguin High School (Cafeteria), 7001 Silo Road, Arlington [MAP]

Tuesday, March 9, 2010
What: Paying for College Seminar – Crowley/Fort Worth
When: Tuesday, March 9, 2010; 7:00 to 8:30PM
Where: Crowley Middle School (Lecture Hall), 3800 W. Risinger Road, Fort Worth [MAP]

If you have any questions about these events, please call my district office at (817) 478-5096. I hope to see you there.

It seems though that sometimes the vision of our state’s leadership doesn’t measure up to the size and heritage of our state. When we look at the decisions made in Austin, it’s not evident that our state’s leadership is thinking big. Texas’ failure to take advantage of a huge federal investment in high speed rail is the latest example.

Last week, the federal government announced $8 billion in high-speed rail funding to various states. Texas got $11 million. If my math is right, that represents about one-tenth of one percent of the available funds. That’s pitiful.

As the Dallas Morning News editorialized on Sunday, “If top Texas leaders had wanted serious high-speed rail money from Washington, they needed to show they were serious about it first. Pity, but neither appeared to be the case. The big federal prizes to develop bullet trains went to Florida, California and Illinois last week. Texas got the scraps, and deservedly so.”

According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, a federal Railroad Commission official recently said, “There has been no central vision, no common vision for rail in Texas…that kind of vision, that kind of support from the political leadership, is critical to success…”

And in case anyone tries to pretend that Texas was left out due to some partisan ploy, consider that Florida – a state with a Republican Governor and Republican-controlled Legislature – are taking high-speed rail seriously and managed to snare over $1 billion.

There’s no reason the second most populous state in the country shouldn’t be a player when it comes to developing high-speed rail to connect our population centers. We should not leave this unique opportunity to grow our economy and create jobs on the table. But our leadership needs to get a vision, and fast. It’s time to start thinking big.

Town Hall Time

Next week, I’ll be holding four town hall meetings in District 96. This is an opportunity for me to hear from constituents what’s on their minds – and how they think we can make Texas government work better for them and their families. I always learn a lot when we do these meetings and I know next week will be no exception. District 96 residents are encouraged to attend one of the meetings – click here to find complete details.

Speech to Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars

Last Friday, I was honored to have been invited to speak to the Texas Veterans of Foreign Wars and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary mid-winter conference in Austin. I got to update those in attendance on the success of the veterans lottery scratch-off game that we worked so hard to pass and a few other things. Click here if you’d like to read my remarks. But the most important thing I said to that crowd was “thank you” – it’s something we can’t ever say enough to our nation’s veterans and their family members.

I recently re-read two of Dr. King’s speeches — the famous, oft-quoted, “I have a dream” speech of 1963 that stirred our nation’s consciousness on the evil of segregation and discrimination and his “I’ve seen the promised land” speech of April 3, 1968.

In the “promised land” speech, delivered in Memphis, TN, Dr. King spoke of how close he had come to death several years before (because of an assassination attempt) and how if he had succumbed he would not have been a part of much of the fight for freedom and the end of oppression in our country. He would not have been alive to see the signing of the Civil Rights Bill.  He would not have been able to tell the world about his dream of children of all colors one day coming together. He openly acknowledged the many threats against him as he spoke in Memphis, where he was rallying support for striking garbage workers.  He acknowledged them and accepted them, saying “I’ve seen the promised land.  I may not get there with you.  But I want you to know, tonight, that we, as a people will get to the promised land.”

Just one day after Dr. King gave this speech, which concluded with his declaration that, “Mine eyes have seen the glory of the Lord!” he was assassinated outside the door of a Memphis motel room, and our country lost one of the greatest moral leaders it had ever known.  I get chills when I read his words and consider what happened on that balcony.

I hope we can all take some time this MLK Day to help keep the memory of his life, his actions and his words alive. During what was to be his last speech, he said something else that I believe we, especially elected leaders, should all be reminded of, not just on the day celebrating his life, but each and every day — “Let us rise up tonight with a great readiness. Let us stand with a greater determination. And let us move on in these powerful days, these days of challenge to make America what it ought to be. We have an opportunity to make America a better nation.”

We have a lot of challenges in our state and our country right now.  Lately, some in our nation have focused too much on dividing the American people, even during days of great challenge. Dr. King was right — we do have the opportunity to make our nation better, but only if we face those challenges head on. It seems as though we often lose sight of solving problems and focus more on dividing the American people through partisanship and political ideology. I hope we’ll be reminded of Dr. King’s words, not just once a year when we observe his birth, but as a call to action everyday. We must stand with greater determination to solve our many challenges but most importantly, we must stand together

As you may know, last week the Texas Lottery Commission began selling the Veterans Cash scratch-off game across the state – this is the new game that was created by the bill I passed last session.

On Monday, November 9, I held a press conference with Senators Chris Harris and Wendy Davis and numerous local veterans’ leaders to buy some of the first Veterans Cash tickets sold in Tarrant County. Although I didn’t win big, it is rewarding to know that the proceeds from my scratch-off purchase will go to the Fund for Veterans Assistance (FVA). When people across our great state buy these tickets, it will mean an estimated $9 million per year for veterans and their families.

On Wednesday and throughout the week, I had the privilege of honoring the men and women who so bravely served our nation in uniform by speaking at various Veterans’ Day events in House District 96. It is always an honor to meet those who served and to see members of what many have called the “Greatest Generation,” those who served during World World II, sitting in the same room with men and women who fought in Korean, Vietnam and in Iraq and Afghanistan. There may be differences in age and what and who they faced on the battle lines, but their desire to serve our nation in uniform to protect our freedom is the same. It was an honor to meet so many of these people in the last week.

If you would like to read my Veterans’ Day speech, which I gave at the Kennedale Senior Citizens Center Veterans Day Celebration, Crowley’s Deer Creek Elementary and the Arlington Elks Lodge Veterans Day event,please click here. It’s fitting that Veterans Day is only a couple of weeks before Thanksgiving – what more can we be grateful for in our nation than the sacrifice of those who have served?

As we approach Thanksgiving, I want to let you know how grateful I am for your friendship and support. The past year has been incredibly rewarding and I am grateful for the incredible opportunity to serve Tarrant County and our state.  I have been privilege to meet and work with some extraordinary people at home and in Austin over the last 11 months.  Most importantly, I am grateful for those around me, my wife Lisa, my family and my friends. We are very blessed, which is something I remind myself each day.

With so many amendments, I won’t explain each and every one, but I would like to let you know about a few that I think will greatly impact our region.

PROPOSITION 2
Currently one’s ad valorem, or property tax, is based on the “highest and best use” of a property. This means that even if the property being taxed is a home, but would be more valuable as a commercial property, the appraisal may be based on what would be the highest value, in this case as a commercial property. Proposition 2 would end the practice of using “highest and best use” value when determining how much a residential property is worth. If this passes, it could translate into lower ad valorem taxes for some homeowners.

PROPOSITION 3
From time to time, my office receives calls from constituents who feel as though their property was appraised incorrectly. Because appraisal districts are not state agencies and their procedures may vary from county to county, it is often times hard to determine what set of guidelines a particular county appraisal district may use. Proposition 3 would ensure that there is a uniform set of appraisal standards and procedures used by all appraisal districts throughout the states, specifically when determining the value of a property.

PROPOSITION 4
During the 81st Legislative Session, I co-authored House Bill 51, which puts in place guidelines for seven “Emerging Research Universities” to become “Tier One” research universities. One such university is the University of Texas at Arlington. While not in House District 96, UTA plays a vital role in the district that I represent. Proposition 4 would allow the state to start a fund to aid emerging research universities to become “Tier One” schools. The money for this fund will simply be transferred from an existing fund that is not currently in use. If you would like more information from the supporters of the proposition, please visit – www.4prop4.com.

To read about the rest of the Constitutional amendments, including the pros and cons, click here.

We also have some important local elections on tap. The Arlington Independent School District is holding a bond election to make needed infrastructure improvements to local schools. You can find more information on that here.

If you live in Fort Worth, you get to vote to continue the Crime Control and Prevention District.

No matter how you vote on all these proposals, please get out and vote! You can find information on Early Voting and your polling location here.

On another note, earlier this week, I was joined by State Senator Leticia Van De Putte and a dozen veteran leaders to unveil the first Texas Lottery Veterans Cash scratch-off ticket.

Passing the legislation to create this game was the highlight of my first session and it gives me great pride to know that so many veterans in need will receive help as a result of the proceeds from this ticket.

Here’s a video of my remarks and the unveiling of the ticket.

The ticket will go on sale on November 9th, right before Veterans Day — when it does, I think it will make a big difference.

I encourage all families in our district to take advantage of the sales tax holiday this weekend!

Last week, I toured Huguley Memorial Medical Center where I met some great doctors, nurses and administrators. The hospital, as you may know, has been in existence since 1977 and with over 350 primary care and specialty physicians, it is a very important part of our community; the work they do literally saves lives every day.

I learned quite a few interesting facts during my visit, including that they are a “first name basis” facility; everyone goes by their first name, including doctors and nurses. This is in order to help patients feel more relaxed and familiar with those providing care.

The staff was incredibly gracious and I am glad I was able to spend time learning about this impressive medical center.

I also want to make note of a great meeting I had last week with the Kennedale Youth Council — these outstanding young people are truly up-and-coming leaders for our state.  These are students who are committed to being responsible citizens and making a  difference for their school and community, and I thoroughly enjoyed talking with them.