Monday, March 04, 2013
SMITH COUNTY (KYTX) – And while federal law makers were arguing over cuts, local state representative Matt Schaefer was in town talking to East Texans about budget cuts and how it could affect them.Schaefer made several appearances today, we caught up with him at the Blue Store in Noonday, where people were asking about what happens next.... Read More
Friday, March 01, 2013
Rep. Matt Schaefer, R-Tyler, filed House Bill 1413, which forces the state to take a hard look at how the practice of abortion affects the economy.House Bill 1413 is unique among pro-life bills in that it directs the State Demographer to investigate abortion trends and the socioeconomic impact of abortion on the state. One of the duties of the Office of the State Demographer is to inform the legislature of demographic and socioeconomic changes in the population. House Bill 1413 capitalizes on this mission.... Read More
Friday, March 01, 2013
Rep. Matt Schaefer, R-Tyler, has filed House Bill 1415 to give local school districts flexibility to employ highly qualified teachers for career and technical education courses. “Parents would love to have experts from various professions teaching their students. Right now, Austin is making that very difficult. This bill cuts the red tape,” Schaefer said. “I want our local school officials deciding whom to put in the classroom, not bureaucrats in Austin.”... Read More
Friday, March 01, 2013
AUSTIN– Monday night was more sleepless than typical for state Rep. Matt Schaefer, R-Tyler. Schaefer was anxious to be on the House floor for the first time as a state representative. Now, he said he is anxious to get to work.About noon Tuesday, surrounded by his wife, mother and father, Schaefer was sworn in as House District 6 representative. He was accompanied by 39 fellow freshmen legislators and veteran members of the 150-seat chamber. Schaefer unseated seven-term incumbent Leo Berman in the Republican Primary.... Read More
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
TYLER, TEXAS (KETK) — There has been a lot of talk about gun laws and prospective gun laws from the left and the right across the country.And on the State level, In Austin, there are numerous bills being proposed right now to protect Texans from any sort of federal “gun grab.”The President is urging congress to pass new gun laws and regulations. But locally, many big names in East Texas have taken their stance publically on this issue.... Read More
Monday, February 18, 2013
TYLER, TX (KLTV) – A bill filed earlier this month would enact major changes to graduation requirements, student assessments and school accountability laws.New House Public Education Committee Chairman, Representative Jimmie Aycock, filed this broad education reform bill as a jumping off point for discussions.District 6 Representative Matt Schaefer said he agrees with the direction of House Bill 5. He said he is in favor of giving more flexibility to school districts and taking away the heavy emphasis on standardized testing. Schaefer said there are a few things he is unsure of at this point, so he has been seeking input from superintendents here in East Texas.... Read More
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
TYLER (KYTX) – You’ve probably heard the debate about the tax increase on sugary drinks in New York.Now, a Texas law maker wants you to pay more.A representative in San Antonio proposed a one-cent-per-ounce tax on sugary drinks in an effort to reduce obesity and other health problems.That means this can of coke, wouldn’t just be 99 cents at the gas station, it would cost you 12 extra cents to take a sip.... Read More
Friday, February 08, 2013
Local legislators and school officials alike said they were not surprised by a judge’s ruling Monday finding the state’s funding system for public education unconstitutional.All agreed it is time for legislators to roll up their sleeves and work to fix the broken system.Rusk ISD Superintendent Dr. Scott Davis said he hopes legislators are ready to do the work necessary to correct the system. “The court today pretty much said, ‘Go to work …’” Davis said. “It’s not going to be one person; it’s going to have to be a bipartisan effort to get this addressed.”... Read More
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Before an estimated 300-plus people, state and local officials proclaimed their ardent support for the right to bear arms.Citing the long history of armed citizenry and explaining why this right is key to every other Constitutional right, their remarks elicited claps, cheers, and whistles from the attendees who stood on a hillside outside of Tyler’s Lock and Load Indoor Shooting Range on Loop 323.... Read More
Wednesday, January 02, 2013
AUSTIN –State Representative-elect Matt Schaefer used the Capitol Building rotunda as an impromptu compass to direct him toward the House Speaker’s office last week. It wasn’t the future freshman legislator’s first time in the building, but its halls can turn even veteran legislators around.Schaefer’s secret lies in the star within the state seal on the marble floor of the rotunda. The top of the star and seal points north and Schaefer is headed west — to meet with Frank Battle, the speaker’s general counsel and a resource, to discuss possible local legislation and the legalities of hanging a loaned painting of Tyler roses in his legislative office.... Read More
