Monday, March 16, 2009

REP EDWARDS TOWN HALL MEETING - MARCH 21, 2009

TOWN HALL MEETING
For District 146
REP. AL EDWARDS

Attention MemberS of District 146:
Please attend your town hall meeting on Saturday, March 21, 2009 from 12 noon to 2 pm at St. Paul Baptist Church: Marcie Keys Activity Center (Pastor James E. Nash) located at 8302 Colonial Lane, Houston, TX 77051 between Brandon Street and Rosewood, off Scott.

TOPICS OF DISCUSSION:

1. Stimulus Package 5. Educational Issues
2. Bills Filed 6. Storm & Disaster Information
3. Insurance Issues 7. Criminal Justice
4. Property Taxes


For Information Contact:
St. Paul Baptist Church
713.731.7050

Rep Edwards Legislative Update

So far this session over 3,500 bills have been filed addressing a host of issues. There are many issues of focus this legislative session including:

DISASTER RESPONSE
• I've filed legislation that would establish comprehensive disaster response efforts by creating optional volunteer emergency response teams in each legislative district with the intent to enhance cooperation between authorities and residents and to assist in coordinating relief efforts to those in need.
• I've filed HB 443 to require nursing homes to have generators on site for back-up power in the event of a natural disaster and HB 441 to require gas stations to maintain a back-up power source in the event of a natural disaster as well.
COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES
• This session legislation has been filed to re-regulate college tuition rates and to revise the top ten percent automatic admission law. Other proposals include exempting college textbooks from sales taxes, which I support.
• I also strongly support legislation freezing college tuition rates for at least the next two years for public universities and colleges. However I am alarmed at the graduation rate at some of our institutions including Texas Southern University and University of Houston Downtown where only 9% of college students graduate in 5 years. We must improve on this.
TEACHER PAY RAISES & HEALTHCARE
• I've filed legislation to provide teacher pay raises, HB 660 as well as legislation to provide a 13th benefit check for retired teachers.
• I support efforts to increase CHIP coverage, including raising eligibility to 300% above poverty level, such as in HB 1769.
• I have also signed onto legislation that would provide a buy-in for the Medicaid coverage of disabled children.
HOLOCAUST & GENOCIDE COMMISSION ESTABLISHMENT
• I've co-authored legislation very important legislation that would create the Texas Holocaust & Genocide Commission to examine and educate the populace on past atrocities.
UTILITY MARKET
• Addressing regulation of the utility market in Texas, in order for consumers to obtain relief on their utility bills. There are many utility bills which I support including HB 631 & HB 1620.
TAXES
• HB 442, which I've filed limits the rate of interest accrual on the deferred property tax increases of the elderly.
• I support legislation to reduce franchise taxes on small businesses, authoring HB 1667 & co-authoring HB 720.
STIMULUS
As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I will help direct Texas' share of the Federal Stimulus funds to those in need most. Here is a quick breakdown of the funds available in Texas:
• Health & Human Services- $5.8 Billion
• Education- $6.2 Billion
• Transportation- $2.7 Billion
• Labor- $1 Billion
• Housing & Infrastructure- $957.1 Million
• Criminal Justice- $161.1 Million

For Information Contact: 512.463.0518

Rep Edwards Honors Texas Hillel & Israel Block Party


Austin, TX- On March 11, 2009, State Representative Al Edwards honored Israel and the Hillel Foundation at the University of Texas of Austin with the passage House Resolution 772, which officially designated March 11, 2009, as Israel Block Party Day.
The resolution honors Texas Hillel's 11th annual Israel Block Party. The annual Block Party is a celebratory event that highlights several common aspects of the country's culture, society, and contributions that are evident and have benefited both "lone star states".
Representative Edwards was joined by several leaders from the Texas Hillel, including Rabbi David Komerofsky, Yoni Cohen, Scott Kammerman, Ellie Agnew, and Allison Goldman at the State Capitol for passage of the resolution.
Representative Edwards, a long time supporter of Israel received an enthusiastic round of applause from both the members of the House of Representatives and visitors to the gallery as the resolution was passed unanimously.
When asked about the importance of the resolution for the Texas Hillel, executive director David Komerofsky stated, "The Legislature's recognition of the Israel Block Party and Representative Edwards' leadership is a significant source of encouragement and inspiration for the hundreds of volunteers who have made this program a success. Representative Edwards responded, "I am pleased to be joining hands with the organization and encourage others to do the same".

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

After Hard Work, Representative Al Edwards Welcomes New Affordable Housing Development

(Austin, TX)- State Representative Al Edwards applauds the new affordable, senior citizen housing development, named Mariposa Apartment Homes at Highway 288 & Reed Road. The 180-unit affordable apartment homes for seniors began housing residents in late February, with a grand opening scheduled for later this year.

Through Representative Edwards' longtime support and hard work, alongside the cooperation of both city and federal authorities as well as community organizations, the project has now come to fruition. The development will allow low-income senior residents to reside in a gated, private setting at a reduced, affordable rate.

"I encourage affordable housing in our community, especially for our senior citizens. I've supported this project since its early stages, in fact, I helped to secure tax credits for the project because there is a need for this type of housing in our community. In today's economy, it is more important than ever to have good, affordable housing for our senior citizens," according to Representative Edwards.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

REP. AL EDWARDS SEEKS TO CORRECT HURRICANE IKE SHORTFALLS


(Austin, TX) - On Wednesday, February 11, The House Select Committee on Hurricane Ike, chaired by State Representative Sylvester Turner, released a report consisting of recommendations in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike. Among the many key recommendations is the requirement of back-up power capability at certain critical facilities.

State Representative Al Edwards has filed bills HB 441 & HB 443 which addresses some of these concerns by requiring gas stations and nursing homes to have generators on site for emergency power in the event of a natural disaster.

The far-reaching recommendations also cite the need for better communication and coordination between authorities and residents in the aftermath of natural disasters. Separate legislation filed by Rep Al Edwards, HB 1026, would attempt to solve the dilemma by creating optional volunteer emergency response teams in each legislative district with the intent to enhance cooperation between authorities and residents on the ground. The bill would direct newly created emergency response teams to help coordinate relief aid efforts to local residents of affected areas in dire need of assistance.

The local emergency response teams would develop plans utilizing FEMA-guidelines that establish medical emergency staging sites to treat life-threatening illnesses and other medical conditions in a safe, convenient local setting. The bill would also establish communication centers in each legislative district to communicate better with residents.

"We were blessed that Hurricane Ike didn't do more damage than it did, but had the hurricane lasted just one hour longer, it would have been very devastating. Since we know more storms will occur in the years to come, we need to prepare today for tomorrow," according to Representative Edwards.