News

Editorial in Fort Worth Star Telegram  To download click HERE.  Prayer Gathering   Please join me tonight at Heritage Park at 7:00 pm.  Let’s join together and pray for our nation. 

Higher Burden After Successful Appraisal Protest Many times I’ve heard constituents complain of appealing their new property tax appraisal, prevailing in that appeal, only to see their valuation raised right back up at the next appraisal. This hasn’t been unique to Parker and Wise counties. Last year I was able to pass a property owner protection […]

I am so frustrated over the scope of this shutdown. I represent about 200,000 constituents in the Texas House. Thirty have tested positive for COVID-19. Yet thousands have lost their job or seen their income drastically reduced. Sheltering is a double-edged sword. Its intent is to protect our health and every life is precious. But […]

Update from the Texas Workforce Commission Staggered Access to Unemployment Benefit Services Over half a million Texans have filed unemployment claims in the last 18 days as a result of COVID-19. The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) will soon outpace the total number of claims received in all of 2019. This unprecedented increase has led to long […]

One of the many concerns for those that have lost income or their job is paying their bills.  Please take initiative in advance to reach out to your electric, phone, natural gas and water utilities for deferred payment options before things get to the disconnect stage.  The same goes for your creditors.  I would highly encourage […]

Many of us are trying to work through the Small Business Administration new Paycheck Protection Program application process right now. Here is a short FAQ on the PPP that I found helpful.  Another more thorough report is the Small Business Owner’s Guide to the CARES Act. I have also had multiple calls with the Texas Workforce Commission about processing unemployment benefits. I know […]

Many of you that own a small business have reached out looking for guidance.  I have pulled together resources that have been shared with our office from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) and Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) that I hope you will find helpful.  I have also included a summary of the current […]

Friends – This week we’re witnessing the beginnings of real hardship on friends, families, neighbors and local businesses.  We’re also getting way overloaded with information. Myself, I’m on conference call after call with other state officials and receiving new reports with information all the time. It’s a lot for all of us to filter through. […]

Dear Constituents: Are you still trying to wrap your head around our temporary new norm of social distancing, take-out meals and virtual learning?  We may wonder is this all necessary but given what we know today and what we have learned from our past—the closures, social distancing, staying home and all the caution is the right […]

Facts About Texas Property Tax Appraisal Process  Many of you have called our office to share your frustrations about your recent appraisal.  I completely understand and share your frustrations.  My appraisal for a home I have owned for over 25 years also skyrocketed.  Appraisals are managed and set at the city and county level. Tax […]