March 5, 2021 Newsletter

Representative Michelle Beckley

Another busy week at the Texas Capitol...

I hope you all have been staying well! The pace has picked up here at the Texas Capitol - I have been meeting with members of our community and pushing legislation for the people of House District 65. As a proud Democratic Representative, I have been creating solutions for Texas. We’ve had enough of the GOP putting profit over people! I strive to bring positive, robust change that protects our Texas rights. It is my mission to serve communities within HD-65 and communities across Texas.

Our Bills


As the 87th Texas Legislative Session progresses, I continue to advocate for progressive policies. Several of the bills I have filed received bill numbers since our last update. You can find a list of the bill descriptions below.


HB 2574: Relating to the applicability of nepotism prohibitions to the appointment of certain election officers.
HB 2575: Relating to the procedure by which certain voters receive ballots to be voted by mail for each election held during a certain period.
HB 2576: Relating to certain primary referendums.
HB 2732: Relating to strategic communication between the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Railroad Commission of Texas during a disaster.

HB 2877: Relating to notice to elected officials of a widespread power, water, or natural gas outage or emergency.

 

I have also been receiving tremendous support on some of my previously filed bills - several State Representatives have joined in as joint authors. Bills receiving support include HB 661, HB 1037, HB 1038, HB 1956, and HB 1965.

 

I’m thrilled to announce that many of my other filed bills have been referred to the appropriate committees. Details can be found at Texas Legislature Online. This means we are one step closer to our bills becoming law!

Our Committees


This week I had the pleasure of attending the first meetings for both of my assigned committees, the International Relations and Economic Development Committee and the Elections Committee.

 

I’m very happy to be on the International Relations and Economic Development (IRED) Committee! IRED will serve an important role during the 87th Texas Legislative Session in rehabilitating the Texas economy. I look forward to seeing how the state will help small businesses. During the meeting, we heard testimony from groups like the Texas Workforce Commission. Topics discussed throughout include recovering employment levels, economic research and information, and the promotion of business and workforce incentives. Follow this link to view the archived International Relations and Economic Development Committee Broadcast.

 

During the Elections Committee Hearing on Thursday, we heard from the Texas Secretary of State, the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Office of the Attorney General of Texas. It is our duty to ensure that elections are free, fair, and secure. We hope the Lone Star State will set an example. I am excited to help with elections integrity and making it easier to vote here in Texas. Follow this link to view the archived Elections Committee Broadcast.

Our Community

Earlier this week, I met with the STEM Advocacy Organization of Texas (SACOT). SACOT is a high-school-based program that brings together students from across Texas to advocate for legislation and funding of STEM-aligned activities. At this meeting, we discussed how we could work together to improve STEM education this session! In support of this, we also celebrated Texas Girls in STEM Day on March 1st. Many women have excelled in these fields - and girls are encouraged to consider career fields in science, technology, engineering, and math.




 Team Beckley would also like to recognize Licensed and Registered Dietitian Nutritionists for providing impactful care during Winter Storm Uri. They helped provide resources for patients and clients regarding food safety during the recent energy and water crisis in Texas. 

COVID-19 Update


On Tuesday, March 2nd, Governor Abbott issued an executive order to lift the mask mandate and open Texas to 100%. At this point in time, however, we cannot afford to abandon safe practices that deter the spread of COVID-19. This decision is premature - coronavirus cases are still surging. The same day that Governor Abbott made this announcement, Denton County Public Health announced that there were 13 COVID-19 related deaths and 475 new cases. We must take personal responsibility, when leadership from our Governor is lacking. According to multiple sources, three of Governor Abbott’s four coronavirus medical advisers say they weren’t directly consulted before he lifted the mask mandate. It is agreed that masks should continue to be worn. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has made it clear that now is NOT the time to release all restrictions. Please continue to social distance, wear your masks, avoid large gatherings, and wash your hands!

Looking for some good news? COVID-19 vaccine eligibility has been expanded to Texas teachers. According to a notice by the Texas Department of State Health Services, all Texas vaccine providers should include all school staff, Head Start program staff and child care staff in their vaccine administration programs. Those who work as or for licensed child care providers and family care providers are also eligible now. This news came shortly after the Biden administration urged all states to prioritize vaccinating teachers and school staff.


Please visit my COVID-19 Vaccine Blog, if you need more information on how to get registered for the vaccine!

Texas Winter Storm Update


Team Beckley invites you to share your story regarding Winter Storm Uri. Texans across the state are enduring the emotional, physical, and financial burdens brought on by the events of the storm. We would like to hear your stories and offer you our support! This is a safe space for you to share your experiences. If you’re interested in sharing, please complete this survey.



Thank you for helping me make Texas a better place!

 

Sincerely,

 

State Representative Michelle Beckley (HD-65)

The Impact of Voucher Programs on Public Schools in Texas: Why Defunding Public Schools is a Bad Idea

By Michelle Beckley • 06 Oct, 2023
Uncover the impact voucher programs have had on public schools in Texas and how defunding these institutions would be detrimental to student success.

House Bill 4072 Update

By State Representative Michelle Beckley • 06 Jul, 2021
The city council of Carrollton, Texas provided comments regarding House Bill 4072 , which was proposed during the 87th Texas Legislative Session. The city council of Carrollton, Texas expressed their opposition for HB 4072 . HB 4072 sought to simplify and clarify local sales and use tax administration by establishing as the state’s default sourcing method a destination-based method under which sales are sourced to the location where the item is shipped or delivered or where the purchaser takes possession. HB 4072 requires that local sales taxes be collected and reported based on an item’s final destination as opposed to the transaction location. The city council of Carrollton voiced that the proposed changes would have disproportionally impacted cities with large commercial bases, placed undue burden on businesses, and caused unintended consequences. Our office also reviewed the potential impact of HB 4072 on the City of Lewisville. If HB 4072 had been passed, the changes would have resulted in an annual loss of more than $10 million in sales tax for Lewisville. Lewisville would have likely faced reduced services and employee layoffs across all city departments, including police and fire departments. The Office of State Representative Beckley proudly represented the interests of Carrollton and Lewisville, by opposing this piece of legislation. HB 4072 intended to address a perceived inequity that results from the misuse of Chapter 380 agreements, but the Comptroller already has the authority to invalidate these types of agreements. Cities use Chapter 380 agreements to grow their economies and benefit their communities. HB 4072 was unsuccessful during the 87th Legislative Regular Session; it was voted out of the Ways & Means House Committee but did not make its way to the House Floor. HB 4072 was left pending in the Calendars Committee; the Calendars Committee has jurisdiction over the placement of bills and resolutions on appropriate calendars. The 87th Regular Session ended on May 31, 2021. Sincerely, State Representative Michelle Beckley

Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program

By State Representative Michelle Beckley • 22 Jun, 2021
Are you or a loved one heading to college this Fall? Does he/she/they need financial help? The Office of Representative Michelle Beckley is asking for submissions for the Texas Armed Services Scholarship. The Texas Armed Services Scholarship (TASSP) has been created to assist promising students from the State of Texas who are committed to education and service. It encourages young leaders to participate in the Texas Army National Guard, the Texas Air National Guard, the Texas State Guard, the United States Coast Guard, the United States Merchant Marine, or to become commissioned officers in any branch of the armed services of the United States. Each year the governor and the lieutenant governor may each appoint two students, and each state senator and each state representative may appoint one student to receive an initial conditional scholarship award. The amount of the award will be up to $10,000 and cannot exceed the student’s cost of attendance. Eligibility for Nomination: Students selected must meet two of these four academic criteria: Be on track to graduate or have graduated high school with the Distinguished Achievement Program (DAP), the distinguished level of achievement under the Foundation High School program, or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program Have a high school grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale Achieved a college readiness score on the SAT (1020) or ACT (23) Be ranked in the top one-third of the prospective high school graduating class Eligibility for Award: To receive a scholarship, an appointed student must: Be registered with Selective Service or be exempt Be enrolled an in good standing in a Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program or another undergraduate officer commissioning program as certified by the institution Maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) as indicated by the financial aid office at the recipient’s institution of higher education Enter into a written agreement with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) Complete school-initiated Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program application by October 15, 2021 Repay the scholarship if requirements are not met If you’re interested in the Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program, please send your resume and a short essay (300-500 words) explaining your interest in the program to Michelle.Beckley@house.texas.gov . You will receive an update to your nomination status by July 9, 2021. Feel free to reach out to our District Director , Ariana Johnson, if you have any questions about the Texas Armed Services Scholarship Program. Thanks and good luck! Please note: The scholarship applicant should be a House District 65 constituent. If you are unsure of who represents you in Texas, find out here . Best wishes, State Representative Michelle Beckley
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