Our Priorities, Our Future

May 1, 2009
Hopson's Capitol Chronicle

To date, I have had the privilege of participating in four legislative sessions (I am currently in Austin serving for a fifth). And after eight years of service, I have grown to know, quite well, the rhythms of the life of a state legislator. The excitement of the capitol is hard to beat, but it is always around this time in every odd-numbered year that I get a little homesick.

So when the citizens of Rusk County made their way to Austin last week for Rusk Day at the Capitol, I was both proud and thankful to see so many familiar faces from East Texas. The Rusk County delegation, most of whom are from the city of Henderson, scheduled the visit to cultivate relationships with legislators and to discuss in detail the region’s priorities. Much of the legislative agenda revolved around economic development, specifically the Texas Rural Investment Fund.

Water for Tomorrow

I recently presented two bills related to Lake Columbia. They were both voted out of committee and are headed to the House floor to be considered by all the members of the Texas House of Representatives. HB 3861 directs the Texas Water Development Board to resume investing in future water supplies for Texas. The bill provides that reservoirs be developed to “optimum” capacity so that unique reservoir sites are not under utilized. Local participants including the cities of Jacksonville, Nacogdoches, New Summerfield, Alto, Troup, Whitehouse, Rusk, and New London, and others, have obtained rights to approximately 62% of the dependable water from Lake Columbia but have been paying 100% of the costs of the work on the project. HB 3861 allows the TWDB to involve new participants in the Lake Columbia initiative. The second bill, HB 2108, amends the construction and completion timeline for the proposed Lake Columbia project.

Protecting the Health of Our Citizens

Due to recent reports of swine flu cases in Texas, we are in daily communication with the Governor’s office. I will advise you of any new developments in the upcoming days and weeks. Meanwhile, The Department of State Health Services has released a toll-free number to answer questions:
1-888-777-5320 (for General Public)
1-877-623-6274 (for Healthcare Providers)

Five Weeks Left and Much To Do

For the first time this year, the Texas House of Representatives worked a full week last week – Monday through Friday. For a quick summary of what we’ve done to date, please listen to “A Minute from the Capitol” and review the bills I’ve filed.

Beginning this week, the House will not only work Monday through Friday, but will also convene on Saturday for the remainder of session (excluding the Saturday before Mother’s Day). The work weeks in Austin will now become longer, but I’ve learned after eight years that the new schedule also means that I’ll be back home in East Texas soon.

Sincerely,

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Chuck Hopson