From the Capitol...
February 17, 2005
Throughout the 79th Legislative Session, Senator Eliot Shapleigh will be writing a notes column from the Capitol that will allow you to see what is happening behind the scenes in Austin.
Written by Senator Eliot Shapleigh,
On the Senator’s desk....
With the school finance debate about to heat up, Senator Shapleigh is being asked on a daily basis to give his “Invest in Texas, Invest in Our Kids” presentation. Last week he gave the presentation three times in Austin. And this week, on Thursday, he was in Fort Worth speaking to more than 200 people at the request of state Rep. Marc Veasey.
Chamber echoes....
El Paso’s and Texas Tech’s four-year medical school went through the scrutiny process this week in the Finance Committee’s subcommittee on education. The $68 million appropriation for the medical school continues to move forward. Also, Texas Tech officials did an excellent job in presenting their appropriations request, which included money for the medical school, before the Finance Committee.
Among those who visited Austin this week...
The El Paso Community Scholars made their annual trip to Austin, along with their director Veronica Escobar...Also, in Austin this week were, Pat Munoz and the members of ARCH of Texas El Paso; Carol Brey-Casiano, Shanon Amastae, Kitty Spalding and Patricia Hernandez with members of the El Paso Library Association; Geylen Martinez and Luis Amarrijn, and Michael Wagner from West Texas Food Bank.
In Committee this week..
The Health and Human Services Committee will finish its discussion on reforming the State’s Adult Protective Services program on February 22. Shapleigh was asked by the chair of the committee to work on the APS portion of S.B. 6, a massive undertaking, and he is advocating that local stakeholders be established in each state APS region. Other amendments to the bill will be heard next week.
Bills filed...
State Senator Eliot Shapleigh filed a bill on Monday that orders several state agencies to develop a financial literacy education program for adults and children. Senate Bill 498 directs the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner, the State Securities Board, and the Texas Education Agency to collaborate to establish a financial literacy program.
Upcoming News...
About 40 members of the Mission Valley Steering Committee will be in Austin this week as part of the Mission Valley Days in Austin, which is set for Feb 22-23.... The Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce will have its El Paso Days in Austin on Feb. 23-24.