Who Is the Head of the Texas House of Representatives

New Faces in the Texas Legislature

A Brief Introduction to the Freshman Class of the 86th Legislature

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Each legislative session brings a slate of fresh faces to the Legislature. The names may be new, only the claiming for county officials is the same: Educating newly elected state senators and representatives about canton government, information technology'south relationship with the land, the services both partner to provide and the issues counties face.

In 2018, half of the 31 members of the Texas Senate were up for re-election. The 86th Legislature will include half dozen new senators this session. They serve four-year terms. Incoming senators Pat Fallon and Carol Alvarado both have previously served every bit state representatives.

Over in the Texas Firm of Representatives, there are 29 freshman legislators, two of whom — representatives Steve Toth and Trey Martinez Fischer — have previous experience as representatives serving in the Texas Legislature.

In that location are also three upcoming special elections that accept not been decided as of publication time. Business firm District 145 in Harris Canton opened upwardly when Rep. Carol Alvarado moved to the Texas Senate, filling the seat vacated by Congress-bound Sen. Sylvia Garcia. El Paso's long-serving Rep. Joe Pickett is retiring for health reasons, leaving open House District 79. And Rep. Justin Rodriguez of San Antonio's District 125 is leaving the Legislature to go a Bexar Canton commissioner.

Below is a quick look at all the newly elected legislators, as well as their social media contact information and excerpts from their legislative platforms.

New to the Texas Senate

Angela Paxton – R
District 8 (Collin, Dallas)
Educator
Facebook: facebook.com/AngelaPaxtonTX
Twitter: @AngelaPaxtonTX

"Texans pay some of the highest belongings taxes of whatsoever state and must have relief! Like you, I'k impacted past skyrocketing belongings taxes, and this continued increment is simply unsustainable. Nosotros never actually "own" our homes; we simply pay higher and college taxes for the privilege of living in our homes. Home ownership shouldn't be threatened by authorities greed."
Source: world wide web.angelapaxton.com

Beverly Powell – D
Commune 10 (Tarrant)
Existent estate agent
Facebook: facebook.com/beverlypowelltx
Twitter: @beverlypowelltx

"The best decisions are made by the voters closest to their public officials. Local leaders and those who concord them accountable should drive local decisions — non out of bear on bureaucrats in Austin. The current legislative effort to diminish local control makes clear that many in the legislature only do not trust Texans to make decisions for their own communities. Beverly will work to return authority to citizens and locally elected officials who understand the concerns of their community. Problems are created and not solved by Austin politicians micromanaging Texas communities."
Source: www.beverlypowell.com

Nathan Johnson – D
District 16 (Dallas)
Chaser, composer of the Dragon Ball Z theme song
Facebook: facebook.com/NathanforTexas
Twitter: @NathanForTexas

"Each Texas city has its own grapheme — values, challenges, resources and solutions distinct from any other. Local governments understand this. They are in touch with the local people; they enact policies that reverberate the values and needs of the local people; and they respect the expertise of local constabulary enforcement who, likewise, understand the local people. In this way, cities are laboratories of democracy, living experiments in public policy."
Source: www.nathanfortexas.com

Pete Flores – R
Commune 19 (Atascosa, Bexar, Brewster, Crockett, Dimmit, Edwards, Frio, Kinney, Maverick, Medina, Pecos, Real, Reeves, Terrell, Uvalde, Val Verde, Zavala)
Sometime Colonel Game Warden for Texas Parks and Wildlife
Facebook: facebook.com/PeteFloresTX
Twitter: @PeteFlores_TX

"I will piece of work diligently to continue our country's transportation infrastructure sound. The state's rainy day fund should exist maintained and our budget counterbalanced. Our state'due south economic growth and development is critical to united states of america all, and there should be no self-imposed barriers to that stop …  Taxation that hinders robust institution and growth of business such every bit the franchise and inventory tax should be eliminated. Oversight of the Canton Tax Appraisal Districts by the State Comptroller should be increased to provide an improved bank check and balance to those entities that levy property taxes upon the states all." Source: www.peteflores2018.com

Pat Fallon – R
District 30 (Archer, Clay, Collin, Cooke, Denton, Erath, Grayson, Jack, Montague, Palo Pinto, Parker, Wichita, Wise, Young)
President and CEO of Virtus Dress, one-time state representative and Frisco city councilman
Facebook: facebook.com/fallonfortexas
Twitter: @FallonForTexas

"When you are able to keep more coin in your pocket, you are able to enjoy more than freedom. You earned that money — the regime didn't. Accordingly, when the government comes knocking and makes a demand for a percentage of our treasure, it'southward our duty every bit citizens to demand that the authorities doesn't spend information technology frivolously. Merely an active denizens can provide the oversight required to ensure that our cities, school districts and state government operate efficiently. We need legislators who are fiscally vigilant."
Source: www.fallonfortexas.com

Carol Alvarado – D
Commune vi (Harris)
Former Houston Urban center Council member and former Houston Mayor Pro Tem
Facebook: facebook.com/CarolforTexas
Twitter: @CarolforTexas

"Ballad's primary legislative focus has been on economic development, public health, and public education issues. She has championed legislation aimed at strengthening our state's workforce, improving workforce development services, and streamlining Texas' economic incentive programs. Carol is an advocate for women'southward wellness and reproductive rights. She has passed legislation to assist victims of sexual assault and sexual harassment. She has likewise authored numerous bills aimed at improving the healthcare of our children, including her passage of legislation banning the auction of e-cigarettes to minors. Rep. Alvarado passed landmark celebrated grand jury reform legislation, likewise every bit passing major criminal justice reform, Jenny's Law."
Source: www.carolalvarado-acevescocom.nationbuilder.com

New to the Texas House

Keith Bell – R
District four (Henderson, Kaufman)
Small-scale business possessor, rancher, former Forney ISD school board member
Facebook: facebook.com/KeithBellForTexasHouse

"Keith supports local control and the idea that voters should have the power to "veto" huge property tax increases by ballot. He believes that belongings tax reform must be tied to school finance reform, creating a balanced approach that volition properly fund schools and so our kids have the resources they demand — without raising property taxes sky-loftier on our homeowners." Source: world wide web.bellfortexas.com

Cody Harris – R
Commune 8 (Anderson, Freestone, Hill, Navarro)
Small business owner
Facebook: facebook.com/CodyforTexas
Twitter: @codyjoeharris

"Texas has the third highest property taxes in America, backside New Jersey and Illinois. Cody knows Texas tin can practice better. Cody founded his business, Freedom Land and Ranch, to help rural landowners realize the American dream, only has witnessed that dream jeopardized by skyrocketing holding taxes. That'southward why he wants to requite voters the ability to veto their tax bills by election and will work to cut property taxes."
Source: world wide web.codyfortexas.com

Ben Leman – R
District 13 (Austin, Burleson, Colorado, Fayette, Grimes, Lavaca, Washington)
Small business concern owner, former Grimes Canton guess
Facebook: facebook.com/BenLemanTX
Twitter: @BenLemanTX

"Property taxes have gotten out of control. People are being taxed out of their homes and country, and a solution is needed. Ben has the business organisation background and courage to fight for our rights in Austin, and he volition work aggressively to lower our belongings taxes. In fact, did y'all know property taxes were lowered two out of the iii years Ben was County Guess?" Source: world wide web.benleman.com

Steve Toth – R
(Previously served two years in the House)
District fifteen (Montgomery)
Owner, Acclaim Pools and My PoolXpert
Facebook: facebook.com/SteveTothTX
Twitter: @Toth_4_Texas

"Representative Toth earned the title "Taxpayer Champion" and garnered an 'A' score from Texans For Financial Responsibility. He was also named 'Courageous Conservative' by the Texas Conservative Coalition. Among other distinctions, Toth was honored equally 'Height Rated Bourgeois in the Texas Business firm' by the Texas Eagle Forum and received a 100% rating from the Texas affiliate of Concerned Women for America. In addition, he obtained the second highest score in the Texas legislature from Young Conservative of Texas and as well held one of the highest scores in the Texas Legislature with Texas Right to Life."
Source: world wide web.stevetothfortexas.com

Mayes Middleton – R
Commune 23 (Chambers, Galveston)
President of Middleton Oil Company
Facebook: facebook.com/mayesforstaterep
Twitter: @mayes_middleton

"Belongings taxes are spiraling out of control, threatening family homes and businesses. Property owners deserve to pay reasonable rates and shouldn't be gouged with increases twelvemonth after year. We need iron-clad limits on belongings tax growth and meaningful relief, while simultaneously working towards eventual abolition."
Source: www.mayesmiddleton.com

Alex Dominguez – D
Commune 37 (Cameron)
Attorney and former Cameron County Commissioner
Facebook: facebook.com/alexfortexas

"I believe that District 37 needs a representative who volition non but correspond the public during the legislative session, but will as well work in coordination with the County Commissioners Courtroom and city commissions to bring much needed jobs, infrastructure, and exposure of what this expanse has to offer for the full 2 years of the term. As a former educator, I want to be a voice for students at UTRGV to push button for their education needs."
Source: www.alexfortexas.com

Erin Zwiener – D
District 45 (Blanco, Hays)
Educator, children's book author and three-fourth dimension Jeopardy winner
Facebook: facebook.com/ErinForYall
Twitter: @ErinForYall

"In Texas, counties accept no ability to programme for growth and guide development in their unincorporated territory. I will push to give counties more than ability to plan for the immense growth happening in Texas, particularly in District 45. Non only practise counties need more ability to guide development in their territories, merely the legislature needs to end forcing one-size-fits-all requirements on cities and counties…"
Source: world wide web.erinforyall.com

Sheryl Cole – D
District 46 (Travis)
Facebook: facebook.com/SherylforTexas
Twitter: @SherylCole1

"Making life affordable for residents of House District 46 will require tackling many issues at the Legislature. Affordability ways defending our neighborhoods from gentrification while ensuring a steady supply of affordable housing in the surface area … and it means reducing local belongings taxes by requiring the state to properly fund education, healthcare, transportation, and other infrastructure. I worked on these issues on the Austin City Quango and I will proceed to practice so at the Legislature."
Source: www.sherylcole.com

Vikki Goodwin – D
District 47 (Travis)
Real manor banker, pocket-sized business organization owner
Facebook: facebook.com/VoteVikki
Twitter: @VoteVikki

"In order to maintain Texas' vibrant economic system and depression unemployment rate, we must invest equally in a concern-friendly surroundings, our public education system, attainable health intendance, and a make clean surroundings. I believe information technology's time to put together a grouping of country leaders who will look at ways to broaden the revenue enhancement base of operations and develop new revenue streams that rest the needs of the state."
Source: world wide web.vikki4txhouse.com

James Talarico – D
District 52 (Williamson)
Facebook: facebook.com/talaricoforstaterep
Twitter: @jamestalarico

"The main driver of rising property taxes is our broken schoolhouse finance system. Our land government and local schoolhouse district used to dissever the cost of public schools downwards evenly, fifty-50. Just, over the concluding decade, the country government has dropped their share from one-half to barely thirty%. Because the Legislature doesn't pay its off-white share of schoolhouse funding, local districts are left to pick upwardly the tab, raising our property taxes yr after yr. I'll make certain the state government pays its off-white share of schoolhouse funding, meaning lower property taxes for all of us."
Source: world wide web.jamestalarico.com

Brad Buckley – R
District 54 (Lampasas, Bell)
Veterinarian and rancher
Facebook: facebook.com/bradbuckleyfortexas
Twitter: @BuckleyForTexas

"Nosotros are blessed to live in a land that rewards productivity. We cannot, and will not, accept any taxes, fees or other regime that burden our daily lives. More than spending and higher government debt is NEVER the respond to long-term economic prosperity."
Source: www.buckleycampaign.com

Reggie Smith – R
Commune 62 (Delta, Fannin, Grayson)
Attorney
Facebook: facebook.com/ReggieSmithForTexasHouse
Twitter: @Reggie4TXHouse

"Reggie is committed to reducing the reliance upon local school property taxes to fund education by restructuring the state's share of the funding burden. He will likewise work to eliminate unfunded mandates on our schools that come down from Washington and Austin, ensuring that local education decisions remain local, and that educational activity dollars remain focused on our local schools, not sent elsewhere to unaccountable entities and initiatives."
Source: www.reggiesmithfortexashouse.com

Michelle Beckley – D
District 65 (Denton)
Small business organization possessor
Facebook: facebook.com/MichelleBeckleyTexas
Twitter: @ForHD65

"Equally your state rep, I will fight for the people of this district and the people of Texas. In my business, I meet people from all walks of life every day, and I aid them find solutions for their problems. I sympathise that in that location is rarely a 'one-size fits all' answer for everyone, just I bring to the tabular array a skill set of finding solutions where anybody benefits. It'southward fourth dimension to think about the long term, and to utilise lessons learned from successes of the past to help all Texans."
Source: world wide web.michellebeckley.com

Candy Noble – R
District 89 (Collin)
Old educator, former Texas Juvenile Justice Lath member
Facebook: facebook.com/CandyNobleHD89
Twitter: @CandyNobleHD89

"With our expanding population, and to support our growing vibrant economy, nosotros need to build new roads and maintain the ones nosotros already apply. All taxes nerveless from gas, inspections and car purchases must be completely devoted to transportation purposes and not diverted to other budget items. We should eliminate not-core government budgeted items in club to have the funds needed for our roads, schools, and justice system."
Source: world wide web.votecandynoble.com

Ana-Maria Ramos – D
District 102 (Dallas)
Educator, family unit constabulary attorney
Facebook: facebook.com/ramos4texashd102
Twitter: @Ramos4Texas

"Texas' salaries are not keeping up with holding tax increases. As property valuations increase, property taxes increment. Instead of providing property owners tax relief due to high property valuations or using additional resources to invest in our hereafter, the Texas GOP has reduced the state's economic brunt and shifted it to you."
Source: www.ramos4texas.com

Jessica Gonzales – D
District 104 (Dallas)
Attorney
Facebook: facebook.com/jessicafortexas
Twitter: @jessicafortexas

"The Legislature volition need to enact additional criminal justice reform legislation to prevent future wrongful convictions, every bit well as increasing the transparency and legitimacy of the criminal justice organization. In regards to wrongful convictions, we will demand to enact reforms that involve the law, prosecution, defense, courts, forensic scientific discipline and corrections. Each of these has, at one time or another, committed errors that have led to wrongful convictions. Institution of legislation that provides for the implementation of bear witness-based policies and programs and requires evaluation to determine the effectiveness and efficiency of the policy and program is needed."
Source: www.voterguide.dallasnews.com

Thresa "Terry" Meza – D
District 105 (Dallas)
Attorney, one-time educator
Facebook: facebook.com/TerryforTexas
Twitter: @TerryforTexas

"County jails like Dallas and Harris firm a significant number of mentally ill inmates, becoming some of the largest mental health institutions in the country. The largest provider of mental health services to youth in our state is juvenile detention. We need more initiatives through the courts to divert defendants to mental wellness services, drug rehabilitation, prostitution diversion programs, and so on."
Source: www.voterguide.dallasnews.com

Jared Patterson – R
District 106 (Denton)
Director of Energy Services for Rapid Power Management, erstwhile urban center councilman
Facebook: facebook.com/jpattersontx
Twitter: @JaredLPatterson

"I want greater transparency in state laws which button unfunded mandates on our local communities. This huge cost regardless of practicality is a major issue for our local communities. I want belongings rights to hateful something for Texas families. Let's reform the current authorities-run appraisement system, input a spending standard related to population growth plus inflation and ensure that Texans tin can keep their homes safety from the revenue enhancement collector."
Source: www.jaredpatterson.internet

Carl Sherman – D
Commune 109 (Dallas)
Senior pastor for the Church of Christ in Hutchins, erstwhile mayor of DeSoto
Facebook: facebook.com/ShermanForTexas
Twitter: @ShermanForTexas

"For far too long, the Texas Legislature has kicked the tin down the road and refused to adequately fund our public schools. Our local school property taxes are among the highest in the nation and we demand bold leadership in Austin to reduce the taxation burden on local municipalities and restructure our schoolhouse funding formula and so that every educatee in Texas receives a high-quality equitable education."
Source: world wide web.shermanfortexas.com

Rhetta Andrews Bowers – D
Commune 113 (Dallas)
Educator, former circulate announcer
Facebook: facebook.com/RhettaForHD113
Twitter: @RhettaForHD113

"The best way to both fund public schools and lower property taxes is to finish legislators from diverting well-nigh three billion dollars of property revenue enhancement money away from public schools and instead keep education tax dollars in education. I do believe the state should spend more than on education. We must observe a way to increment state funding to support teachers and students while not calculation additional tax burdens on local taxpayers."
Source: www.voterguide.dallasnews.com

John Turner – D
District 114 (Dallas)
Attorney
Facebook: facebook.com/johnturnerfortexas
Twitter: @TurnerForTX

"For case, right at present, the Dallas Police Section has hundreds fewer police officers than information technology should. Dallas needs to rent more officers to accost a rising tearing offense rate. Yet some in the Legislature are proposing bad bills that would artificially cap local urban center budgets. This would tie Dallas's hands in attempting to meliorate constabulary presence in our neighborhoods. We elect local officials to make these kinds of decisions. The Legislature should permit them do their jobs."
Source: www.johnturnerfortexas.org

Julie Johnson – D
District 115 (Dallas)
Attorney
Facebook: facebook.com/juliejohnsonforTX
Twitter: @juliejohnsontx

"Bail bond reform is a top priority. All around Texas, counties and cities are spending significant taxpayer monies jailing people over non-vehement crimes, traffic infractions and keeping them from their jobs and families considering they cannot pay what is sometimes a $150 bail fee. It is completely unjust to jail people for being poor and it is fiscally irresponsible. The aims of any future reforms by our legislature should be focused on accountability for police, citizens, defendants, prisoners and the families of prisoners alike."
Source: www.juliejohnsonfortexas.com

Trey Martinez Fischer – D
(Previously served 16 years in the Firm)
District 116 (Bexar)
Attorney
Facebook: facebook.com/TMFTx
Twitter: @TMFTx

"Known for his strong negotiating skills, in 2013 Trey was selected past the Speaker of the House to piece of work out a budget compromise with the Senate, where he was able to secure nearly $4 billion more for public education. …when the Legislature passed a budget that left Texas students underfunded, Trey voted against information technology — citing the cuts passed by the Texas Senate and the damaging effects that they would have for our schools."
Source: www.treymartinezfischer.com

Leo Pacheco – D
District 118 (Bexar)
Educator, human resource specialist at Palo Alto College
Facebook: facebook.com/leopachecoforstaterep

"With the ascension toll of living (prescriptions, healthcare, food, utilities, home repairs, etc.) many of our seniors need our assist, and we need to be there for them. Permit'south start past capping property taxes for homeowners over 65, and not just the tax rate. Let'south cap the total they have to pay given escalating property tax values. This would ensure that our elders tin can enjoy the quality of life they've worked a lifetime to create. Afterwards all, they built this life for united states of america."
Source: world wide web.votepacheco.com

Steve Allison – R
District 121 (Bexar)
Chaser
Facebook: facebook.com/stevefortx
Twitter: @stevefortx

"Steve believes that the Governor'south approach to cap increased belongings revenue enhancement revenues is a good start to achieving immediate relief and he favors giving voters the ability to 'veto' skyrocketing property taxes with automatic local elections for big taxation increases. Steve volition e'er be a strong advocate for providing property tax relief to taxpayers."
Source: www.stevefortexas.com

Sam Harless – R
District 126 (Harris)
Independent machine dealership owner
Facebook: facebook.com/samharless126
Twitter: @SamHarless126

"I volition work to maintain local command of our children'southward teaching. I volition support our Public Schools, fight for more equitable funding and reduce unfunded mandates. I volition work for fair pay for teachers and to increment contributions to retired teachers."
Source: www.samharless126.com

Gina Calanni – D
District 132 (Harris)
Author
Facebook: facebook.com/ginacalanniforTXDistrict132
Twitter: @gina_calanni

"Every bit someone who was displaced by Harvey, I am committed to coming up with solutions to deal with catastrophic weather events in the future. This ways creating a feasible means to avoid flooding and to ensure that we have better regulation for developing properties in flood prone areas."
Source: www.ginacalanni.com

Jon E. Rosenthal – D
District 135 (Harris)
Engineer
Facebook: facebook.com/JonRosenthalTX

"From the constabulary on the street to judges in the courtroom, to our overcrowded for-turn a profit prisons, we can do better. … The bail system must immediately be reformed, and we must also strengthen our communities and promote positive relationships with police force enforcement through de-escalation preparation and customs policing efforts."
Source: www.rosenthal4usall.com

John H. Bucy III – D
Commune 136 (Williamson)
Small-scale business owner
Facebook: facebook.com/BucyForTexas
Twitter: @BucyForTexas

"To maximize our tax dollars and be efficient and fiscally responsible, we must work together with our cities, counties, school boards, and other local jurisdictions to ensure core needs and services are existence met for our constituents. Local control is a key part of this. The Legislature should not hamstring, circumvent, or retroactively disengage decisions made past our local communities, especially when residents are in support."
Source: www.bucyfortexas.com

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Source: https://www.county.org/County-Magazine-Main/Jan-Feb-2019/New-Faces-in-the-Texas-Legislature

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