STATE REPRESENTATIVE Ernest Bailes Serving House District 18: Liberty, San Jacinto, and Walker Counties Volume 1, Issue 4 85th Legislative Session March 13, 2017 Dear Neighbors, Things are busy in Aus- Bailes Files Bill tin! There is no shortage to Address Public of issues to address. March 10th was the School unrestricted deadline for Accountability filing bills and joint reso- lutions other than local Addressing A-F Rating bills, emergency appropri- ations, and bills that Gov- During the 84th Legislative ernor Abbot has declared Session, several bills were passed an emergency. which addressed the changing needs of public education. These My fellow legislators fellow legislators, and the Com- Huberty, Chair of the House bills placed greater focus on vo- missioner of Education, Mike Committee on Public Educa- and I are currently hear- cational ed. and less on testing. ing testimony on bills and Morath, to gather additional tion, and committee members While Representative Bailes is insight on ways to improve the on this legislation. working through legisla- fully supportive of the legislation, rating system. He feels it is important to tion. he feels it is important to On March 8th, after extensive have tools to meaningfully Things are not only readdress pieces of HB 2804, research and the recommenda- measure school performance busy in Austin, but also which created the “A-F” rating tions of HD 18 school superin- and academic achievement. in HD 18. We’ve had real- system designed to measure pub- tendents, Representative Bailes Believing everyone deserves to ly productive meetings in lic school performance. filed HB 3290, relating to the know if schools are doing their Representative Bailes and his the district and more are evaluation of public schools. job, he will build on the strong staff have worked closely with Representative Bailes will parts of HB 2804, and work to on the schedule. Keep us school districts, stakeholders, informed about the issues work with Representative Dan shore up the weak areas. important to you. The Dayton Train Babin, to discuss options to an overpass. We finally have address the train crossing in everyone at the table and are God Bless You All In HD 18, trains weave their Dayton on US 90. working together to find solu- and God Bless our way through our communities Representative Bailes came tions. That is a positive. We Great State of Texas and go relatively unnoticed away from the meeting en- just have to keep the issue until they impact our ability couraged that they were mov- front and center, and work to to travel by automobile from ing in the right direction. achieve answers that everyone “While we would all like a can live with,” said Repre- one point to another without delay. quick fix, the issues are much sentative Bailes. Many who travel US 90, out bigger than simply building of Dayton, Liberty County, find themselves delayed by the train and are looking for solutions. Earlier this month, Repre- P.S. By the way, for those sentative Bailes joined officials of you following the feral from Liberty County, Union hog poisoning issue, the Pacific Railroad, BNSF Rail- use of Warafain has been road, Liberty County Rural Rail Transportation District, put on hold for now. TxDOT, a railroad engineer- Happy Hunting! ing firm and Congressman The Texas House of Representatives is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability in employ- ment or the provision of services. This newsletter is available in alternate formats upon request. Please call 1-800-241-1163. A Quick Glimpse... Update on Constable celebration. Mr. Gib Lewis, SHSU HB 2172 and SB 977: Class of 1956, was the featured speak- Justin Johnson er. High Speed Rail A few days later, the 36th Annual Representative Bailes has joined Liberty Co. Precinct 1 Constable Texas Independence Day and General House Representatives Trent Ashby Justin Johnson continues to im- Sam Houston's Birthday celebration prove from injuries he received on and Matt Rinaldi, as well as Senator was held in Huntsville. Charles Schwertner, on legislation 02/15 while directing traffic. Hope- Representative Bailes was honored which would prevent state money fully, he will be able to come home to be a part of both celebrations. being spent on high-speed rail oper- soon. We are thankful for God’s ated by private entities. Plan and for all those that have Child Protective Services Those working on the Houston-to- been instrumental in his recovery! Dallas bullet train project have indi- Child Protective Services (CPS) in cated they would privately fund the HB 2567 Filed Texas is undergoing major changes. Representative Bailes was humbled to project and not use state funds. HB To protect ecological resources, join fellow legislators in unanimously 2172, and companion SB 977, would enhance the health and mainte- passing of HB 4 and HB 5. hold them to their word. nance of forests, promote stability Key points: HB 4 will provide of forest-using industries, ensure monthly stipends/payments for foster Bailes Appointment public safety, and conserve the eco- parents who take in children they are system values of the forest, Repre- to Subcommittee related to. Hopefully, this will keep sentative Bailes has filed HB 2567. more family units intact. Not only is HB 2567 important for Representative Bailes has been HB 5 would classify the Department HD 18, it is important for landown- appointed to the Subcommittee on of Family Protective Services (DFPS), ers throughout the state in their Small Business within the House which houses CPS, an executive level efforts to protect our valuable natu- Committee on Economic & Small agency, allowing DFPS to better man- ral resources. Business Development. This new age its staff and streamline decision appointment allows him to work making. closely on issues surrounding feder- General Sam Houston al, state, and local regulatory barriers or impediments impacting small Celebrated Daylight Savings Time businesses. On 02/28, people from across the If you are one of the many who are A very strong proponent of the free state gathered at the Bob Bullock struggling with the ‘new’ time and enterprise system, and a small busi- Texas State History Museum in ‘wish they would just leave it alone,’ ness owner himself, Representative Austin to celebrate Sam Houston’s you are not the only one. Bailes understands the challenges 224th Birthday. Sam Houston State This session, like in the past, bills created by unnecessary regulation, University (SHSU) President, Dana have been filed in both the Texas and will work to foster an environ- G. Hoyt, welcomed visitors to the House and the Senate to end daylight ment which allows small business saving time in Texas. owners to thrive and achieve success. Huntsville ISD Superintendent, Dr. Howell On March 3rd, family, friends, supporters, and officials Representative Bailes appreciated the Wright (Walker County), accompanied the came together in Coldspring (San Jacinto County), to opportunity to work with Dr. Ann Huntsville ISD Emerging Leaders Program to their witness the renaming of the Coldspring Post Office Smisko, Deputy Director of Policy and State Capitol. Representative Bailes enjoyed to the E. Marie Younglood Post Office Building. Programs, Raise Your Hand Texas, in hearing from program participants about ways (In 2013, Mrs. Youngblood, a beloved member of his ongoing efforts to address the they are preparing to serve their communities. SJCo., was murdered while working her rural route.) public education rating system. HD 18 SPOTLIGHT of SERVICE—WE SALUTE Coldspring Quilts for Kids In 2015, a group of talent- Ladies, we salute your service ed ladies came together in to others. You are awesome! Coldspring, San Jacinto County, to do what they love… quilt. In two years, the group has made and donated more than 330 ‘Quilts for Kids’. Sharing one’s time and talent is a gift of love, A recent post on their Facebook page said it best, Quilts for Kids is a nation- and the ladies of Coldspring Quilts for Kids “It is such an incredible wide 501(c)3 non-profit organi- share abundantly. feeling to know our quilts zation. The Coldspring group “One stitch, one quilt… one child at a time.” will be wrapping some lit- welcomes donations so they Your love for others is evident in all you do tle ones in love who are in may provide quilts for more major crisis in their lives kids. For information visit and we are thankful. and need comfort and se- their facebook page: Cold- You Make a DIFFERENCE! curity.” spring Quilts for Kids. Fully Understanding the Issues: that the ‘facts as presented’ just don’t add up for me. The first proposal was for a MUD and now it is for a MMD. They Before I decide to support or oppose something, I want to both involve new taxing entities, but they are very, very fully understand the pros and cons. That is certainly the different things. The more I work on this, the more ques- case surrounding the proposal for a Municipal Management tions I have. District (MMD) in Plum Grove, Liberty County. At the March meeting of the Liberty County Commission- I want to preface my comments by saying, this is only my er’s Court, the court voted to offer a Resolution of Support take and I have no intentions of judging other people on for the proposed MMD. In an attempt to clearly understand their choices. I am not in their shoes. what was presented, I have requested and received audio When it comes to the proposed Plum Grove MMD, I have from the meeting. I am carefully reviewing the audio.