2012-2013 • Austin, Texas Dear Friends: signments include Chair of the A former resident of our Senate Higher Education Com- Senate District (SD) 21, Presi- mittee; Co-Chair of the Legis- dent Lyndon B. Johnson, said lative Oversight Committee on that “the noblest search is the Higher Education Governance, search for excellence.” Excellence and Transparency; President Johnson, who and member of the Legislative went to college in Hays County Budget Board and of the Sen- and taught public school in La ate Committees on Administra- Salle County, was right, and tion, Economic Development, his words reflect my continu- Finance, Health and Human ing commitment to excellence Services and Redistricting. in public service on behalf of In representing you in the SD 21 families. Texas Senate, count on me not The constancy of this com- simply to prepare, but, rather, mitment is especially important to over-prepare. My staff and I in times of change. Impressive continually work closely with change is reflected not only in constituents and colleagues to the rapid population growth in develop legislation that will Central and South Texas, but make a difference in the lives also in opportunities and chal- of Texas families. lenges spurred by oil and gas Because our success is exploration in the Eagle Ford enhanced by effective com- Shale. Meanwhile, thousands Excellence in public service is my munication, my commitment of new students are enrolling in remains strong to respond to Texas public schools, commu- commitment to Senate District 21 families. every letter, email and tele- nity colleges and universities. phone call. Your suggestions Budget pressures will test not – Senator Judith Zaffirini and feedback are important to only our ability to prepare them me, especially because some for success in the 21st century, but also the security of our of my best legislation was suggested by constituents. social safety net programs. We cannot afford to fail. Senator Judith Zaffirini Reports to the Families of Sen- Change also is reflected in the boundaries of SD 21. ate District 21 is not merely a progress report; it is a call The redistricting process has removed all or part of five for action and collaboration. counties from our district and added new territory in five My prayer is that that the Lord will bless us all and counties, triggering the bittersweet process of saying good- strengthen our dedication to excellence and our resolve to bye to some constituents and welcoming others. build a better Texas. Fortunately, no matter where in SD 21 we live, our pri- orities are the same: job creation; educational opportunities for all; public safety; a clean environment; and health and human services, especially for the very young, the very old and persons with disabilities. I am grateful that Lt. Governor David Dewhurst ap- Judith Zaffirini pointed me to important posts from which I am well po- State Senator, District 21 sitioned to impact the state’s most critical issues. My as- www.zaffirini.senate.state.tx.us Lt. Governor Dewhurst Prioritizes Business, Job Creation By Lieutenant Governor without raising taxes David Dewhurst while protecting essen- tial services for our most As Texas approaches rd vulnerable citizens. We its 83 Regular Legisla- have made government 1 2 3 4 tive Session, I reflect back live within its means, on all the progress we’ve HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES for the very old, the very young and persons with disabilities are among Senator Zaffirini’s top priorities. She passed the largest tax cut is shown in photograph 1. with San Patricio County nurses Cecilia Villarreal and Darlene Menn; in 2. with Live Oak Nursing Center employees Alice made over the years, and in state history and cre- Riojas of Three Rivers and Becky Sivers of Beeville and resident Danny James; in 3. with Celestino Guerra of Dimmit County at an elderly nutrition I remain optimistic about center; and in 4. with Christian Escamilla, a Laredo student and valedictorian at the Texas School for the Deaf in Travis County. ated a predictable regu- the direction in which our latory climate−giving Changes Underway for Texas Health & Human Services state is heading. investors the confidence It’s no coincidence to invest and small busi- While health and human services Senator Zaffirini, who secured the expansion, by 2016 1.4 million per- that Texas is one of the undergo substantial reform in Texas $12.3 million for diabetes and obesity sons would receive health care coverage nesses the predictability and the nation, Senator Judith Zaffirini prevention in 2009, was delighted in at an estimated cost to the state of $15.6 fastest growing states in to grow and create jobs. is working tirelessly to improve access 2012 when Mercy Ministries of Lare- billion and a gain of $101 billion in fed- the country. Within the Those are just a few of to health care for all Texans, especially do’s clinic was selected by The Univer- eral funds over the next 10 years. last decade, our popu- the reasons why so many the very old, the very young and per- sity of Texas Medical Branch at Galves- “Expanding Medicaid would ben- lation has grown by people are packing up sons with disabilities. ton and the Stark Diabetes Center to efit Texans greatly at minimal cost to 4.5 million people. Peo- Legislation that she passed dur- receive a $1 million grant to help un- the state,” Senator Zaffirini said. “It is and moving to Texas. ing the 82nd Texas Legislative Session insured, financially-challenged patients my hope that the legislature will con- ple are literally voting For years, the Texas resulted in positive developments in who have diabetes or pre-diabetes. sider the issue seriously during the next with their feet for Texas landscape has bloomed 2012. Because of her bill limiting the Meanwhile, the U.S. Supreme Court legislative session.” because it is a beacon with opportunity, and I use of harmful restraints on residents confirmed the constitutionality of the Because much of Texas Medicaid for jobs and opportunity at State Supported Living Centers, the 2010 Affordable Care Act (ACA). It ex- was transferred to a managed care mod- will continue to work to in the midst of a global make sure it remains that Hogg Foundation for Mental Health pands access to health care for thousands el, a new program was required to reim- economic crisis. and the Texas Department of Aging and of Texans, including by prohibiting insur- burse hospitals for indigent health care. way. Texas is the place Disability Services are providing train- ance companies from denying coverage Accordingly, Texas negotiated with the Some ask why Texas where every day, anybody ing to two facilities and to community because of pre-existing conditions and by federal government to secure the new is doing so much better from any background “Texas is the place where every day, anybody providers statewide. allowing children up to age 26 to remain Medicaid 1115 Waiver, which has re- than other states, and I or community can scale In 2011 Senator Zaffirini also au- on their parents’ health insurance. quired stakeholders to work with state from any background or community can always say because we heights as improbable thored legislation helping chemical What’s more, because the law re- leaders to resolve ensuing problems. have more Texans than scale heights as improbable as they are dependency treatment facilities serve quires health insurance companies to “With so many changes in the as they are breathtaking. clients. She worked with Rep. Elliott Na- spend a certain amount of revenue on state’s delivery of health and human any other state in Amer- breathtaking.” We are a state where our ishtat, D-Austin, to pass a bill allowing health care services instead of on ad- services, difficulties and unexpected ica. We’ve got a can-do challenges are never too psychologists, social workers, and coun- ministration or bonuses, 1.5 million consequences are inevitable,” Senator spirit here that you just – Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst big, and our obstacles are selors to obtain a patient’s consent for Texans have received rebates total- Zaffirini said. “In our continuing quest can’t find anywhere else. treatment for chemical dependency. The ing $167 million. for success and improvement, constitu- never too high. Thanks Texas leads the nation to the hard work of Senator Zaf- result was allowing greater continuity of The Court also ruled that the expan- ents can count on me to always fight in job creation, business reloca- Texas Miracle, but it’s no mira- service and fewer delays for persons seek- sion of Medicaid in the ACA must be for critical life-saving and life-altering firini and the Texas Legislature, ing treatment, leading to better outcomes. optional for the states. If Texas opts into programs on which so many depend.” tion and homebuilding. We have cle; it’s a lot of hard work. Texas still offers the promise of more Fortune 1000 companies Recently named America’s tomorrow. Working together, we How to Contact Senator Judith Zaffirini headquartered here than any oth- Top State for Business for the have proven that there is no limit Southern District Office Capitol Office er state. From June 2009 to July third time by CNBC, Texas is to what we can accomplish when 1407 Washington St. P.O. Box 12068 2011, Texas created more than proving to the entire nation that we put Texans first. P.O. Box 627 Austin, Texas 78711 37 percent of all new private sec- our policies are working. Since Laredo, Texas 78042-0627 512/463-0121 956/722-2293 800/851-1568 tor jobs in America.