August 19, 2022
Thank you for subscribing to my weekly newsletter. Below you will find important federal, state, and local updates from the last week curated for you in one place.
Should you have any questions about the information below, please do not hesitate to contact us. Please utilize email communication with our office during this time, via the email contact information at the bottom of this newsletter.
Sincerely,
State Updates
| TEA 2022 A-F Accountability Ratings |
 |
| The Texas Education Agency (TEA) released 2022 A–F accountability ratings for districts and campuses, the first to be issued since 2019 due to two years of COVID-related pauses. 1,195 districts and 8,451 campuses were rated this year, with returns showing promising signs of progress in Texas’s efforts to catch students up academically. Driven by significant gains in student academic growth, 2022 saw 25% of districts and 33% of campuses improve their letter grade from 2019. 18% of high-poverty campuses in Texas were rated an A, continuing to prove that demographics do not equal destiny. “These results show our state’s significant investment in the post-pandemic academic recovery of Texas public school students is bearing fruit,” said Texas Education Commissioner, Mike Morath. “I’m grateful for the driving force behind this year’s success: our teachers and local school leaders. Statewide policy in Texas continues to remain focused on meeting the needs of students, with an accountability system that supports high expectations, robust tutoring supports, rigorous curricular resources, and an investment in evidence-based training for our teachers.” Established by House Bill 22 during the 85th Texas Legislature, the A–F accountability system provides educators, parents, and communities with a transparent view of the academic performance of Texas public schools based on three domains: Student Achievement, School Progress, and Closing the Gaps. This year, to align with Senate Bill 1365, districts and campuses received an A, B, or C rating or were assigned a label of Not Rated: Senate Bill 1365, both overall and in each domain. This Not Rated: Senate Bill 1365 label was applied when the domain or overall scaled score for a district or campus was less than 70. 42 districts and 564 campuses received this label. To view the 2022 accountability ratings for districts and campuses, visit TXschools.gov. Users can search for schools using an address and even compare schools across selected data points. To learn more about how accountability ratings are calculated for schools and districts in Texas, visit the How Accountability Ratings Work website. |
| Update on SL 494 |
 |
 |
| TxDot has given an update on the construction of SL 494 exiting I69. The current projection for project finalization is the first quarter of 2023. The goal of the project is to widen the road and add additional lanes.If you wish to require more information on SL 494 or other projects in House District 127 visit the TxDot Project Tracker. |
| Texas House Seeks to Expand Postpartum Healthcare for New Mothers |
 |
| Nominations for the 2023 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching Now Open |
 |
| From @GovAbbott: Texas is home to exceptional STEM teachers & four of the top 50 STEM public high schools in the nation. Nominate a teacher for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics & Science Teaching today! From @teainfo: It’s time to nominate Texas’s 7-12 Computer, Science, Technology, Engineering and/or Math teachers for the 2023 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. To learn more, nominate a teacher, or register to apply, please visit paemst.org |
| Texas Department of Family and Protective Services Youth Helpline Open |
 |
| From @TexasDFPS: Are you worried about your teen? Do you think they need help? The Texas Youth Helpline is always there to listen! Call: 1-800-989-6884 Text: 512-872-5777 Chat: dfps.state.tx.us/youth-helpline |
| Texas Commission on the Arts Announces Call for Nominations for State Poet Laureate, Musician, Visual Arts |
 |
| TEXAS STATE ARTIST CALL FOR NOMINATIONS_______AUSTIN, Texas – August 9, 2022 – On behalf of the Texas Legislature, the Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) is seeking nominations for the positions of 2023 and 2024 State Poet Laureate, State Musician, State Artist two-dimensional media (i.e., painting, photography), and State Artist three-dimensional media (i.e., sculpture). All Texas citizens are encouraged to make nominations, and self-nominations are accepted. Citizens can nominate more than one artist. The nomination form and complete information are available online at http://www.arts.texas.gov/nominate. The deadline for Texas State Artists nominations is October 15, 2022. All qualified nominees must be native Texans or five-year residents of the state. Candidates must have received recognition for high levels of excellence and success in their respective disciplines. They also must have received critical reviews in state, regional or national publications. Chosen artists will join the company of previous state artists such as Willie Nelson, Earlie Hudnall, Jr., Carrie Fountain, Beili Liu and Kathy Vargas, and will receive statewide recognition. Texas State Artists also have the opportunity to participate in TCA events and promotions, including participation on TCA’s Texas Touring Roster and other initiatives in relation to their respective arts discipline. “We are fortunate to have many outstanding artists in Texas, and we anticipate receiving numerous qualified nominations,” said Gary Gibbs, executive director of TCA. “Being named a Texas State Artist is the Texas Legislature’s highest honor for an artist, and it brings new career opportunities and recognition from the arts community and the general public.” TCA oversees the selection process for the four positions, in accordance with Chapter 3104 of the Texas Government Code. TCA issues the call for nominations, oversees an evaluation review process, and provides a list of finalists to the selection committee. The committee, composed of members appointed by the Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, makes the final selections. The 87th Texas Legislature will make the appointments next spring when they are in session. About the Texas Commission on the Arts The mission of the Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) is to advance our state economically and culturally by investing in a creative Texas. TCA supports a diverse and innovative arts community in Texas, throughout the nation and internationally by providing resources to enhance economic development, arts education, cultural tourism and artist sustainability initiatives. For more information on TCA and its programs, please visit www.arts.texas.gov. |
| Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) Legislative Update |
 |
| The Board of Directors of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA) voted not to increase rates for 2023 windstorm insurance policies. The Association will file for a 0% rate change in its annual required rate filing with the Texas Department of Insurance by the statutory deadline of August 15. The decision followed the Board receiving a recommendation for a 0% filing from TWIA’s Actuarial & Underwriting Committee. The Board also heard public comments from stakeholders including elected officials and other coastal community members. TWIA’s 2022 Rate Adequacy Analysis, prepared by the Association’s actuarial staff, indicates that TWIA’s current rates are inadequate by 15 percent for residential coverage and 11 percent for commercial coverage. This is an improvement over recent years, attributed mainly to TWIA’s early payoff of bonds used to pay Hurricane Harvey claims. The Board also took the following actions: Directed staff to file proposed increases to the Association’s maximum liability limits with TDI. The limits establish the maximum amount of coverage a policyholder can purchase from TWIA. This filing does not impact TWIA’s rates and is benchmarked as required by law to match publicly available construction cost index information. Pursuant to Texas Insurance Code Section 2210.452(b), directed staff to notify the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts that the entire balance of the Catastrophe Reserve Trust Fund is required to be kept available to fund the payment of insured losses. Received an update on a staff study regarding agent commissions and agreed to reconsider the issue of agent commissions in the fourth quarter of 2023. Received an update on the search for a new General Manager. Directed staff to make a filing with TDI to implement expanded premium credits for exterior opening protections as recommended by the Actuarial & Underwriting Committee. Staff will report to the Board at its December meeting on potential premium impacts based on roof characteristics. Approved legislative recommendations for the Association’s Biennial Report as recommended by the Legislative & External Affairs Committee. The meeting materials and archived recording for the Board meeting are available on our Archived Meetings page. Should you have any questions, please contact JArmstrong@twia.org or (512) 637-4031. |
| New Mental Health Crisis Line, 988, Launched in Texas |
 |
| People in need of mental health support in Texas and across the United States can now call or text a new three-digit number: 988. The new number will connect Texans to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which is also accessible at 800-273-8255. This will not replace the original Lifeline number. Instead, 988 is meant to be more accessible during mental health emergencies, according to the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. “The new 988 number makes it easier for people in crisis or emotional distress to get immediate assistance and connect to mental health resources within their communities,” said Sonja Gaines, Texas’ deputy executive commissioner of Intellectual and Developmental Disability and Behavioral Health Services. 988 was launched nationwide July 16. Texas Health and Human Services announced in February 2021 that it would receive over $180,000 in funding from SAMHSA. The money will help support and expand Lifeline call centers in Texas. Initiatives include helping centers prepare for additional callers, rolling out text and chat features, training staff and improving data collection. According to an HHS spokesperson, Texas has four Lifeline call centers that are contracted by HHS: the Harris Center, Integral Care, Emergence Health Network and MMHR of Tarrant County. A fifth center, the Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas, is a volunteer call center. Centers must follow specific standards and be certified, accredited or licensed in order to join the Lifeline network, according to the February 2021 funding overview. Nearly 60,000 Lifeline calls were answered at Texas call centers in 2021, according to the spokesperson. This is a 92% increase from 2018. Texas operators also answer the fourth-highest number of calls, following California, New York and Florida. The spokesperson said HHS expects an increase in calls following the launch of the “new, easy-to-remember 988 number.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 46,000 Americans died by suicide in 2020. This is equal to one death every 11 minutes. The mental health version of 911 Many people call 911 during mental health crises, according to NPR. As a result, law enforcement agencies spend about 20% of their time responding to mental health emergencies, psychologist Benjamin Miller told NPR. But police officers are not always trained to handle these situations. The U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics reported that roughly 43% of state and 23% of federal prisoners had a history of mental health issues in 2016. People who call or text 988 will speak to someone from a Texas call center. If a center is too busy, calls and texts will be routed to one of 16 backup centers across the nation. A chat function is also available. HHS plans to have at least 90% of calls and 80% of texts/chats answered in Texas by June 30, 2023, the funding overview said. The free services will be available 24 hours a day. Over 3 million Texas adults have a mental illness, according to Mental Health Texas. More information and resources can be accessed here. |
| Texas Education Agency:School Mental Health Resources Online |
| * TEA and partners developed a new resource database for Texas’ local education agencies, pursuant to SB 11. * Live and searchable new tool launches May 2022–piloting 1st iteration * The database includes information for1367 unique mental health resources identified to date by ESCs, TEA, and state partners available to Texas schools. * Agency goals are to identify resources and to strengthen access to the state’s mental health-related resources for Texas schools, and families. |
https://schoolmentalhealthtxdatabase.org/
| Texas Education Agency: Dyslexia Handbook Q&A |
| Dyslexia and Related Disorders Texas has a long history of supporting the fundamental skill of reading. This history includes a focus on early identification and intervention for students with dyslexia. This page includes resources to assist in identifying and providing…Read more tea.texas.gov |
| City of Houston Updates |
| Update: Lake Houston Spillway Dam Improvement Project |
 |
| HOUSTON, TX – In 2017, immediately after Hurricane Harvey devastated the Lake Houston Area, Mayor Pro Tem Martin began the task of transitioning Lake Houston from solely a water reservoir to a water reservoir with flood mitigation infrastructure. This would allow Lake Houston to not only provide our region with needed drinking water but also protect our area in the event of a flood. Equipping the Lake Houston Spillway Dam with flood gates allows a systematic lowering of Lake Houston, during a flood event, reducing the risk of flooding to area homes and businesses. An improvement project of this magnitude normally takes between five and twelve years, however determined to advance this project as quickly as possible Mayor Pro Tem Martin coordinated with federal, state, and local elected officials shrinking the timeline to between five and seven years. Entering the fifth-year post Harvey and still in the design process for the Lake Houston Spillway Dam Improvement Project (LHSDIP) is not where Mayor Pro Tem believed where the City of Houston would be. The age of the Lake Houston Spillway dam, built in 1953, is proving to be a huge obstacle for this project as it continues to move forward. Originally, six different alternatives of the project were proposed. Another factor complicating this project is the cost variations between alternatives as project costs are outside of the existing federally funded amount, $48 million. The City of Houston is working with the Texas Division of Emergency Management and Federal Emergency Management Agency to find the option with the highest Benefit to Cost Ratio (BCR). The range for a favorable BCR on a project like this is between .75 and 1. The two alternatives in preliminary design only yielded a BCR of .48, largely due to the aging structure of the existing spillway dam. Mayor Pro Tem Martin continues to persist on finding a path forward. Currently, the final design of LHSDIP is paused to complete a study on alternative 1A looking at constructing five new tainter-gates on the existing embankment located on the east side of the dam. The BCR analysis for the embankment alternative will be completed by end of September 2022. Mayor Pro Tem Martin is continuing his due diligence taking multiple avenues working to find additional funding for the project and reaching a favorable BCR with both federal and state partners. Including the exploration of additional funding through the upcoming Texas Legislative Session with outgoing State Representative Dan Huberty and incoming State Representative Charles Cunningham. It is easy to be discouraged with the perceived lack of progress on this project, however, obstacles have only fortified Mayor Pro Tem Martin’s resolve to see this project through and defining a clear path forward. More information will be forthcoming in a fall public meeting and Mayor Pro Tem Martin is optimistic by October the LHSDIP will have an attractive BCR for the 1A design. The City of Houston is committed to continuing to utilize the existing Lake Houston pre-release strategy which has occurred each time there has been a forecasted rain event of 3 inches or more within the San Jacinto Watershed, since Hurricane Harvey, which has worked extremely well. This strategy has been used more than twenty times in the past four years. Many thanks to Congressman Dan Crenshaw, Governor Greg Abbott, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, Commissioner Tom Ramsey, State Senator Brandon Creighton, State Representative Dan Huberty, State Representative-Elect Charles Cunningham, TDEM-Chief Nim Kidd, Mayor Sylvester Turner, Chief Recovery Officer Stephen Costello, and Harris County Flood Control District. All parties are committed to constructing these additional gates to ensure protection against future flood events. |
| Harris County Launches New Website to document public safety investments |
 |
| Harris County officials announced the launch of https://safeharris.com—a website to track county investments in public safety—at a news conference on Aug. 17. The site filters investments in community, courts, law enforcement, and youth safety. It includes links to dashboards tracking the jail population, data on defendants in criminal courts, and approved bail bonds. Perrye Turner, the deputy county administrator for justice and safety, said the website would be consistently updated to keep the public informed. “Safeharris.com is a living, breathing, ever-evolving document,” Turner said. “An educated community is a safe community. It is also about transparency … and keeping law enforcement and elected officials accountable.” According to County Judge Lina Hidalgo, the website gives the community a way to understand different pieces of the public safety investments made by the county over time. “Our work is not done,” Hidalgo said. “Everyone has a right to public safety [and] to feel safe in their homes. And that’s why we continue to invest in these smart initiatives.” Article by Rachel Carlton |
| Harris County Appraisal District board votes to change its name |
 |
| The Harris County Appraisal District will have a new name starting in 2023. The HCAD’s board of directors voted on Aug. 17 voted to change its name to the Harris Central Appraisal District. No other changes will accompany the switch. The name change will take effect in 2023 to avoid confusion for property owners and allow the appraisal district time to update signs, forms, and letterhead. “The board believes this change will help property owners distinguish between the responsibilities of the county government and the appraisal district so residents can get their questions answered quickly,” HCAD board Chair Mike Sullivan said in a district press release. The HCAD appraises properties for ad valorem tax purposes for each taxing unit within the district’s boundaries. The district, the largest in Texas, assesses 1.8 million parcels of property yearly, totaling a $691 billion market value. Article by Renee Farmer |
| District 127 Updates |
| Update on Kingwood Burglary Arrests from Dave Martin |
 |
| Mayor Pro Tem Dave Martin is proud to let Kingwood business owners and residents know the burglars which burglarized and vandalized twenty-four businesses last weekend have been caught and arrested. Three black male suspects were arrested by Houston Police Department (HPD) Officers on the Southwest side of Houston. These suspects were arrested as part of an ongoing investigation which stemmed from the Kingwood Burglaries. After arrests, Kingwood investigators were able to get sufficient evidence for charges. Two of our Kingwood HPD officers were successful in getting confessions directly related to the break-ins in Kingwood. The Commander of the Kingwood Division was also successful in getting good information from these criminals which will be passed on to the businesses impacted and at the upcoming HPD – Kingwood Division Positive Interaction Program Meeting. The next HPD Kingwood Positive Interaction Program (PIP) meeting, will be held on 8/17/22 at 7:00 p.m. at the Kingwood Church of Christ (2901 Woodland Hills). These meetings are currently being held in person and are always open to the public. This meeting happens monthly on the third Tuesday of each month. Mayor Pro Tem Martin is happy to continue to support local law enforcement through providing overtime funds as well as the purchase of FLOCK Safety Surveillance Cameras which over the next few months will be installed in both the Kingwood and Clear Lake Communities as a way to catch criminals as they attempt to flee from any crime scene. These cameras catch images of all vehicles entering and exiting a community allowing specific cars to be identified that may be connected to crimes, alerting local law enforcement of a criminals whereabouts. These cameras have proven to be successful even in instances where license plates have been removed or paper plates are being used. These cameras are available for purchase by the public and can work with the cameras being purchased by the District E Office. If you are an Homeowner’s Association representative and would like more information regarding the purchase of these cameras for your specific community, please reach out to the District E Office. Furthermore, a request for additional patrol officers has been made and a meeting between Mayor Pro Tem Martin and the City of Houston Police Chief has been set. If you would like more information, please contact the District E Office by emailing districte@houstontx. |
| H-GAC includes the city of Houston in the Final $488M distribution of storm mitigation funds |
 |
| The city of Houston will receive storm mitigation funds from the Houston-Galveston Area Council after all. The H-GAC approved its final method of distribution during its Aug. 16 board of directors meeting for $488 million in federal funding for storm resiliency improvement projects across the cities and counties it serves. The agency unveiled its conditionally approved plan for distributing the funds in June, but the agency excluded Harris County and its local jurisdictions. Following a month of public comment that garnered 83 comments submitted by citizens, council members, city officials, and mayors, the board approved a plan that sends over $10.7 million in reallocated funds to the city of Houston. Commenters expressed concerns about the unfairness of snubbing Harris County, pointing out that the move excluded 30% of the region’s population, which suffered extensive damage during Hurricane Harvey. Others expressed their support for the decision, noting that the Texas General Land Office allocated Harris County $750 million, or 61% of the $1.2 billion in available federal funding, leaving H-GAC’s 12 other counties to ration out the remaining 39%. Reallocated funds became available after the city of Manvel declined a $1.7 million allocation and Houston declined its original $9.2 million allocation. The method of distribution’s reallocation methodology directs declined funds to Harris County cities and General Law cities in the region. To be eligible, cities must qualify for a minimum of $900,000 in reallocated funds. No other city received a reallocation meeting the threshold, leaving Houston the sole city eligible for the $10.7 million. The board-approved method of distribution will be passed to the Texas GLO for approval before local governments receive the funds. Article by Renee Farmer |
| Law Enforcement Personnel to Be Assigned to School Districts |
 |
| Last week, Constable Mark Herman and his staff met with the Police Chiefs of Spring ISD, Tomball ISD, Klein ISD, Cy-Fair ISD, Humble ISD and Aldine ISD — the six independent school districts within Precinct 4. The group meeting discussed student safety and law enforcement collaboration for the upcoming 2022-2023 school year. Constable Mark Herman laid out his strategic plan to coordinate with the school district Police Departments. He is planning to add hundreds of Deputy Constables to ensure a safe learning environment for our children. |
| Burn Bans Still in Place for Montgomery and Harris Counties |
| Back to School Reminder About School Bus Laws |
 |
| Now that school is back in session, PLEASE make sure you stop when you are required around school buses! RULES TO KEEP IN MIND: * Never pass a bus from behind if it’s stopped to load or unload children. * If yellow or red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, all traffic must stop. * The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to allow them space to safely enter and exit the bus. * Be alert; children often are unpredictable, and they tend to ignore hazards and take risks. |
| Humble ISD Breaks Ground on New Middle School and Adds Renovations for Humble High School |
| Humble ISD broke ground on three projects: a new middle school; major renovations and additions for Humble High School; and major renovations and expansion for Quest Early College High School on Friday, October 30. Humble High School, the oldest high school in the district, is being renovated for the needs of 21st-century students to update the cafeteria, library, performing arts theatre, Career and Technical Education wing, and athletics wing. The athletics wing will include a competition gym, auxiliary gym, and locker rooms. The modernized learning space will offer innovation and excitement for Humble High School students. The school’s exterior will be redesigned to define and enhance the main entrance. The renovations will increase Humble High School’s campus size by 63,000 square feet to nearly 552,000 total square feet. The $35 million Humble High School project will be completed by August 2022. PBK Architects designed the project and Manhattan Construction was selected as the contractor. |
 |
| For more photos of Humble High School renovations, visit the Bond 2018 website. The school will help accommodate neighborhood growth in the district’s southern region.Middle School #10 will be similar in design to Humble ISD’s West Lake Middle School. The new campus will feature a media library, large group instruction rooms, and a Career and Technical Education wing that will create an environment to excite students about learning. Learning excitement and engagement play a major role in the design of today’s schools. It’s something Humble ISD takes seriously when planning for new schools such as Middle School #10. |
| Kingwood Highschool Construction Projects Overview |
 |
| Several campus improvement projects are in progress at Kingwood High School. Athletic Concession Bleachers Flood Prevention Health Science Lab Third Gym |
 |
| Contact Information |
| State Representative Dan Huberty Email Dan Amy Rister Chief of Staff Email Amy | Capitol Physical Address: 1100 Congress Avenue, GS.2 Austin, TX 78701 Capitol Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2910 Austin, TX 78768 Capitol Phone:(512) 463-0520 Capitol Fax:(512) 463-1606 | District Office 7702 FM 1960 Rd. E, Ste. 370 Humble, TX 77346 |
| This newsletter was not sent by State expense. Paid political advertising by Friends of Dan Huberty. The Texas House of Representatives is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability in employment or the provision of services. This newsletter is available in alternate forms upon request. Please call 1-800-241-1163. |
You must be logged in to post a comment.