Rep Edwards Earns Legislative Champion Award from TACHC

Rep. Al Edwards Earns Statewide "Legislative Champion Award" for his Doctor Shortage Legislation

Texas Association of Community Health Centers honors
the Houston lawmaker with its Legislative Champion Award

Houston, TX – Houston’s Central Care Community Health Center has honored State Rep. Al Edwards (D-Houston) for the historic Physician Loan Repayment Program measure he authored in the Texas Legislature during the past Session.

Rep. Edwards was presented the Legislative Champion Award by the Texas Association of Community Health Centers (TACHC) for his work during the 81st Texas Legislature.

The program he passed is designed to bring physicians to medically underserved areas of the state and also to provide a cut in the franchise tax for at least 40,000 small businesses in Texas. The measure emerged as one of the centerpiece bills of the 2009 legislative session.

“Physicians and health centers consider this new program to be the most significant legislation to pass in decades because of its potential to bring basic medical care to millions of Texans in the inner cities and rural areas of our state,” said TACHC Executive Director José E. Camacho. “Texans for years should know it was the dedication and tireless work of state Rep. Al Edwards that made Texas a healthier, more prosperous state.”

The legislation Rep. Al Edwards authored creates an enhanced physician loan repayment program. It will be available to primary care physicians who agree to practice in underserved areas of the state and will assist in paying off student loans amassed during medical school training. Medical school graduates carry a debt as high as $160,000 in student loans.

“The legislation was carefully crafted by Rep. Edwards to solve a very real problem in Houston. This is an incredibly important measure, and our health center is deeply indebted to Rep. Edwards for his leadership,” said Anganette Young, Executive Director of Central Care Community Health Center. “The impact of this program will truly be seen and felt in Houston.” In fact, portions of District 146, South of 610 in Sunnyside & South Park have the highest rate of doctor shortages in all of Harris County.

The Physician Loan Repayment Program is expected to bring up to 900 new doctors to urban and rural areas.

The proposal made it through an extremely challenging legislative session. In its final version, House Bill 2154 ultimately won overwhelming support in the Texas House and Senate. In June, Governor Rick Perry formally signed the physician loan repayment bill into law. The legislation became effective Sept. 1, 2009.

More than half of Texas counties are in need of primary care physicians. In 2008, 26 Texas counties had no primary care physician. More than 110 Texas counties – rural and urban – have been designated as Health Professional Shortage Areas, meaning those counties do not meet a minimum national threshold of one physician for every 3,500 people.

About the TACHC
The Texas Association of Community Health Centers is a private, non-profit membership association that represents safety-net health care providers in Texas. Association members include Community and Migrant Health Centers, Health Care for the Homeless Grantees, Public Housing Primary Care Grantees, Ryan White HIV/AIDS Grantees, Health Center Networks and other providers who strive to meet the health care needs of the uninsured and underserved. TACHC serves as the primary care association for the state of Texas.

Rep Al Edwards' Successful Legislation from the 81st Session

State Representative Al Edwards

Legislative Accomplishments
A recap of his successes from the 81st Legislative Session

31 Successful pieces of Legislation, Out of 99 Pieces with which he was involved

Authored Legislation by Rep. Edwards which became law in 81st Legislative Session:

HB 2154- Bringing Doctors to Needy Communities- This historic piece of legislation provides significant loan repayment assistance to Primary Care Physicians who agree to practice in underserved and needy areas. In fact areas of District 146, including Sunnyside & South Park and the Central Care Community Health Center, are designated as underserved areas, which is why I fought so strongly for this legislation. This bill will help underserved areas and Community Health Centers to attract doctors to serve in the area, thereby leading to better health care access for the most needy residents of our area. Also, this historic bill provided the funding for small business tax cuts for those with revenues up to $1 million.

HB 2153- Homeless Sex Offender Registration- Another key piece of legislation, I passed HB 2153 to help protect our children from the horrors of sex offenders. This bill closes a loophole in the sex offender registration laws which previously did not allow for the tracking of sex offenders who claimed to be "homeless". Our police had no way to know where these sex offenders were. With the passage of this bill, a sex offender who claims to be "homeless" would be required to physically check-in to law enforcement authorities where they are located at least once every 30 days and give a description of the location or area in which they are staying. This new piece of legislation will significantly help law enforcement to protect citizens from sex offenders.

HB 3206- Pollution Control Tax Credits- This successful bill establishes a framework for industrial companies to apply for and receive pollution control equipment tax credits on a fair and equitable basis. The bill sets up a TCEQ regulator-driven formal application process to ensure that evaluation methods for the tax credit applications is based on the actual pollution control usage of the equipment in question. This will stop industrial companies for receiving tax breaks on equipment that is used to make profits and not control pollution, which has been costing our school districts, counties, and even homeowners by not requiring these companies to pay their fair share.

HB 4777- Which creates a new management district in District 146 that will beautify the community and bring about job development South of the 610/Astrodome area which will brings thousands of jobs and homes to District 146.

Sponsored Legislation by Rep. Edwards which became law in 81st Session:

SB 1377- Crime Victim Fund Solvency- I sponsored this successful piece of legislation which is designed to ensure that the Crime Victims Compensation Fund remains a solvent source of funds to provide victims of crime financial assistance to help get their lives back in order. This bill provides a mechanism so that 50% of year-end balance funds greater than $5 million which accumulate in the Crime Victims Compensation Auxiliary Fund are automatically directed to the main Crime Victims Compensation Fund. This great bill will ensure that payments to victims for costs incurred as a result of a crime committed such as medical bills or counseling are available to be made. In recent years the Crime Victims Compensation Fund had been in danger of insolvency, with this bill's passage in the future this will no longer be the case.

SB 1206- Helping Good Prisoners Get Out (Bill vetoed by Gov. Perry)
I also sponsored this necessary piece of legislation to reduce the delays for the processing of parole for incarcerated persons. This bill only affects inmates who had been granted parole contingent upon completion of a rehabilitation program. Offenders were completing all their necessary programs and requirements needed to be released, however they were doing so earlier than their estimated completion date. The delays in releasing these offenders for parole limited bed capacity and causing a back log in the system producing further unnecessary expenses. The bill, as passed, allows a range of dates to release these offenders only once they've completed their approved rehabilitation program, in a range of time which is 15 to 45 days prior to the established target completion date. This streamlining process will help save the state $13.5 million over the next two years.


Rep. Edwards' Joint-Authored Legislation which became law in the 81st Session:

HB 67/ SB 487- Creating a health insurance buy-in for parents with children with mental development disabilities.

HB 200- Streamlining continuing education requirements for public school principals.

HB 610- Establishing the Legislative Committee on Aging, which will study issues affecting the elderly population in Texas and make recommendations to the Legislature on how to provide a better quality of life for our seniors.

HB 968- Regulating the use of crossbows for hunting.

HB 1637- Which clarified the normal weekly hours of work under the shared work unemployment compensation program to ensure that benefits are available for those in need.

HB 1830- Which created a streamlined and efficient structure for information technology security practices amongst State Agencies.

HB 1831- Revising and establishing new disaster preparedness & emergency management practices.

HB 2242- Abolishes the Texas cultural endowment fund and transfers the balance to the Texas Commission for the Arts.

HB 2729- Relating to payment of certain judgments against the State of Texas.

HB 2806- Relating to the reinstatement of a firefighter or police officer to a previously held position based on seniority on the return of another firefighter or police officer from a military leave of absence.

HB 3226- Relating to the payment of temporary housing costs for certain individuals who are released or are eligible for release on parole or to mandatory supervision.

HB 3857- Relating to foreclosure of liens on real property and certain personal property owned by members or dependents of the military; providing a criminal penalty.

Co-Authored Legislation by Rep. Edwards which became law in the 81st Session:

HB 3- Reforming the public school educational system's accountability, curriculum, and promotion requirements.

HB 38/SB 297- Provides in-state college tuition to veterans whose residence is outside of Texas.

HB 51- Establishes a pathway for additional Tier 1 colleges & universities in Texas, including the University of Houston.

HB 394- Allows small businesses with less than 250 employees to become eligible for funding opportunities from the Texas Enterprise Fund.

HB 795/SB 482- Establishes the Texas Holocaust & Genocide Commission.

HB 873- Provides incentives for film, television, video, and digital interactive media production companies for filming in Texas.

HB 1310- Regulation of tanning facilities.

HB 1452- Enhances the eligibility for participation in job training and employment assistance programs by veterans in Texas.

HB 3097- Creates the Texas Dept of Motor Vehicles to streamline registration issues.

HB 3452- Establishes the Texas Armed Services Scholarship in Texas.

HB 3613- Provides property tax exemptions for disabled veterans.

HJR 39- Historic Civil Rights measure ratifying the Texas Constitution to prohibit use of poll taxes.

SB 455- Regulating the practice of dental assistants.

Rep. Al Edwards "Holiday Luncheon & Legislative Update" A Successful Affair

On December 19, 2009, State Representative Al Edwards hosted his 32nd Annual Holiday Luncheon & Legislative Update for District 146. The well attended and well received event was held at Wyatt's Cafeteria on Griggs Road. The capacity-sized crowd filled Wyatt's leaving not an empty seat in the house. Residents were treated to a free turkey dinner with all the fixings, had many chances to receive free gifts in multiple raffles, and received an informative legislative update on many of the important statewide issues that passed this legislative session. Many key community leaders were in attendance, as well as fellow local officials attended including Congressman Al Green, State Representative Sylvester Turner & Judge Robert Hinojosa to help impart important messages to the attendees. The attendees were exceptionally entertained with virtually none leaving the riveting event early. Residents had a chance to converse one-on-one with State Representative Al Edwards afterwards and were happy to have shared some Holiday season cheer with fellow residents of District 146.

One resident's take on the event can be found at:
Edwards Holiday Luncheon 2009
Courtesy of Craig Anthony Thomas of Webcatz Studioz

Rep. Al Edwards Delivers for District 146

Rep. Al Edwards' Highlights from a Productive Legislative Session:

Rep. Al Edwards' Legislation- 37 Bills Authored, 37 Bills Joint-Authored, 56 Bills Co-Authored, 6 Bills Sponsored, & 58 Resolutions

Making Houston Healthier:
• Rep. Al Edwards passed HB 2154 which encourages more primary care physicians to practice in inner-city areas, including Sunnyside/South Park, by helping to repay their student loans
• Rep. Al Edwards joint-authors an initiative that expands eligibility of the Medicaid buy-in insurance coverage for parents of children with disabilities

Making Houston Safer:
• Rep. Al Edwards passed HB 2153 into law which requires homeless sex offenders to physically check-in to police once every 30 days, eliminating a loop hole in the law
• Rep. Al Edwards sponsored legislation, SB 1377, that makes sure that money is available for victims of crime in order to help with living expenses after tragedy strikes
• Rep. Al Edwards supported the working man's interest by the expansion of Workers Comp. protection in HB 1657

Making Houston More Prosperous:
• Part of legislation authored by Rep. Al Edwards provided tax cuts for small businesses making up to $1 million
• Rep. Al Edwards passed HB 3206 to make sure industrial companies pay their fair share of taxes on certain pollution control equipment
• $70.9 million increase in funding for the Lite-Up program, which provides up to a 17% discount on electricity bills for eligible seniors and low-income customers from May to September each year, CALL 1-888-454-8387

Helping Houston Area Colleges & Universities To Get More Funding:
• 10.5% increase in funding for Houston Community College
• 4% increase in funding for Texas Southern University
• 3.7% increase in funding for Prairie View A & M University
• 6.4% increase in funding for University of Houston
• Over $25 million in Hurricane Ike recovery funds for Houston area colleges

Rep. Al Edwards honors the Houston chapter of Hadassah

At the recent monthly board meeting of the Houston chapter of Hadassah, State Rep. Al Edwards presented two resolutions to the organizationa and Linda Pravda Horowitz for their longstanding contributions to helping those in need through their various outreach and community programs. Rep. Al Edwards felt it was extremely important to honor the contributions of those that stand out in District 146 of Houston, TX. The Texas House of Representatives passed HR 2595 by Rep. Edwards in honor of Linda Horowitz and HR 2782 by Rep. Edwards in honor of Hadassah in the recently concluded 81st Legislative Session. I hope groups such as Hadassah and individuals like Linda Pravda Horowitz continue to make our district and the community at large a better place.

Al Edwards Capitol Report & Legislative Update on KCOH Radio 1430 AM

Dear Friends in the Community,

I would like to invite you all to listen and participate in a new bi-weekly radio program I will be having on KCOH Radio 1430 AM.

The Al Edwards Capitol Report and Legislative Update will begin airing on this upcoming September 8th from 8:30 am to 9:00 am on KCOH Radio 1430 AM . The program will run every other Tuesday morning at the same time slot, and it will cover the issues that impact you the most; including the hot topics, issues of interest from the State Legislature, and important local community issues just to name a few.

On the first program we will touch on the recent Legislative session, including some of the bills that passed and some that did not pass, as well as, providing a recap on the recently concluded special session.

So please tune in to KCOH Radio 1430 AM or listen on the internet at: Listen live on KCOH 1430 A.M. beginning this Tuesday, September 8th from 8:30 am to 9:00 am for an enlightening time you won't want to miss! And make sure you pass on the word!

Rep Al Edwards Celebrates Legislative Victories in the 81st Legislative Session

This legislative proved to be a session where much was accomplished, although we left some unfinished business to complete. I am extremely proud of my accomplishments this session. I worked hard to make the lives of District 146 residents better, and will continue to do so.

This session I successfully passed 5 Bills into law, in a range of areas from increasing access to healthcare to making sure industrial companies are not getting extra-undeserved tax credits to protecting our citizens from "homeless" sex offenders to making sure there is continued funding for crime victims so that they can recover in the aftermath of a crime.

Here is a brief snapshot of the bills I authored that were successful into passage:

HB 2154 by Rep Al Edwards
This historic piece of legislation provides significant loan repayment assistance to Primary Care Physicians who agree to practice in underserved and needy areas. In fact areas of District 146, such as the Central Care Community Health Center, are designated as underserved areas, which is why I fought so strongly for this legislation. This bill will help Community Health Centers attract doctors to serve, thereby leading to better health care for the most needy residents of our area.

This bill gets its funding source from changing the method of taxation on chewing tobacco, which will generate the state an additional $105 million over the next two years. What makes this piece of legislation even more important is that the extra funds in excess of loan repayment program are going to provide the much needed and heralded Franchise Tax Exemption for small businesses up to $1 million.

The importance of this bill is hard to underestimate. This bill provides a boost to healthcare and businesses in this state, directly impacting our citizens in two of the most critical areas of our lives.

HB 3206 by Rep Al Edwards
This successful bill establishes a framework for industrial companies to apply for and receive pollution control equipment tax credits on a fair and equitable basis. The bill sets up a TCEQ regulator-driven formal application process to ensure that evaluation methods for the tax credit applications is based on the actual pollution control usage of the equipment in question. This will stop industrial companies for receiving tax breaks on equipment that is used to make profits and not control pollution, which has been costing our school districts, counties, and even homeowners by not requiring these companies to pay their fair share.

HB 2153 by Rep Al Edwards
Another key piece of legislation, I passed HB 2153 to help protect our children from the horrors of sex offenders. This bill closes a loophole in the sex offender registration laws which previously did not allow for the tracking of sex offenders who claimed to be "homeless". Our police had no way to know where these sex offenders were. With the passage of this bill, a sex offender who claims to be "homeless" would be required to physically check-in to law enforcement authorities where they are located at least once every 30 days and give a description of the location or area in which they are staying. This new piece of legislation will significantly help law enforcement to protect citizens from sex offenders.

SB 1377 authored by Senator Harris, sponsored by Rep Al Edwards
I sponsored this successful piece of legislation which is designed to ensure that the Crime Victims Compensation Fund remains a solvent source of funds to provide victims of crime financial assistance to help get their lives back in order. This bill provides a mechanism so that 50% of year-end balance funds greater than $5 million which accumulate in the Crime Victims Compensation Auxiliary Fund are automatically directed to the main Crime Victims Compensation Fund. This great bill will ensure that payments to victims for costs incurred as a result of a crime committed such as medical bills or counseling are available to be made. In recent years the Crime Victims Compensation Fund had been in danger of insolvency, with this bill's passage in the future this will no longer be the case.

More important legislation I helped pass:
SB 1206- authored by Senator Hinojosa, sponsored by Rep Al Edwards I also sponsored this necessary piece of legislation to reduce the delays for the processing of parole for incarcerated persons. This bill only affects inmates who had been granted parole contingent upon completion of a rehabilitation program. Offenders were completing all their necessary programs and requirements needed to be released, however they were doing so earlier than their estimated completion date. The delays in releasing these offenders for parole limited bed capacity and causing a back log in the system producing further unnecessary expenses. The bill, as passed, allows a range of dates to release these offenders only once they've completed their approved rehabilitation program, in a range of time which is 15 to 45 days prior to the established target completion date. This streamlining process will help save the state $13.5 million over the next two years.Unfortunately, this bill was vetoed by Governor Perry even though it passed both chambers of the legislature with overwhelming support.

In addition, I also helped pass another bill SB 1206 which would have ensured that would have eliminated parole process delays for worthy incarcerated inmates who had fulfilled all their required duties and programs as outlined by the Board of Pardons & Paroles but are unable to be released because they finished the required rehab or treatment program a little earlier than expected.

This is snapshot of some of the important bills I passed this legislative session. I will provide more updates of other important legislation that passed this session in order to keep my readers informed.

For more information, please feel free to contact my office at 512.463.0518.

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. AL EDWARDS RETURNS TO TEXAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AS MEMBER OF THE POWERFUL HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

Following the Speaker's recent announcement of Committee assignments, the return of District 146's voice at the table of Texas budget decisions has been restored.

As a member of the powerful Appropriations, Defense & Veterans' Affairs, and the Rules & Resolutions Committees, I will fight for the concerns of District 146 this session.

As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I will be addressing the tough decisions for state spending head-on supporting the causes and issues most important to the people of District 146, including to provide funds for our Houston area colleges and universities.

As a member of the Defense & Veterans' Affairs Committee, I will be able to help shape the disaster response concerns of our area, especially since I have filed legislation to created additional emergency response teams in legislative districts and to require gas stations and nursing homes to have generators.

I look forward to working hard and representing District 146 on these important matters this session!

81st Texas Legislative Session Convenes

The first week of the 81st Texas Legislative Session has now officially come and gone. This session we will tackle major issues in the face of a projected decline in the state budget for the next two years of about $9 billion due in part to falling revenues from sales taxes.

This week has been especially exciting after the swearing-in ceremony of the first day of session, and on the second day of session, I felt honored as I led the opening prayer of the Texas House of Representative. And now it's time to get down to work with my colleagues as we prepare for a session of helping the people.

My legislative agenda includes bills that I've filed for more rights for renters and apartment dwellers, higher standards for charter schools, increasing the salary for public school teachers, making sure electricity companies are charging their customers appropriately, requiring nursing homes to have generators, beautification projects, increasing the benefits for retired teachers, addressing disaster preparedness and response; and many more bills still being drafted.

I will keep you all informed as I continue to help the people of District 146 in the Texas House of Representatives.

I'm back in the Legislature in order to help the constituents of District 146, so if you have any questions, concerns or would like to voice your opinion on legislation, please contact my office at 512.463.0518 or 713.741.8800.