Lone Star Card Fraud Prevention (aka Food Stamp Card)

• Rep. Schaefer filed HB 1973, joint authored by Rep. Moody (D – El Paso), which will require a name, photo, the fraud hotline website and phone number, and the words “Funds provided by taxpayers,” to be added to all Lone Star cards. Current Lone Star cards display less information than the average library card.
• In 2014 there was over $20 million in known fraudulent Lone Star card abuse in Texas with 10 counties accounting for 64% of fraudulent charges. Fraud amounts have been increasing year-to-year.
• Texas only has 19 inspectors for oversight of approx. 2.5 million Lone Star card holders.

 Some Critical Border Security Needs not Funded in House Budget

• DPS Troopers have been pulled from around the state on a rotating basis to support surge efforts at the border. DPS was given authority to increase overtime for its officers statewide in order to maintain operational capabilities.
• The House budget as currently drafted stops statewide overtime funding, however, the Senate budget includes it.
• A 10-hour work day for DPS officers immediately increases statewide enforcement capability by the equivalent of 654 Trooper, Special Agent, and Texas Ranger positions without the substantial cost and time needed to recruit, train, equip, and pay for new positions.
• Also not included in the House budget were requests for additional multiple all-wheel drive vehicles needed for off-road patrols and pursuits, as well as 5 additional border security aircraft used to cover the long border geography.
• Other critical items for border security are included in the House budget, such as funding to hire 300 additional troopers over the next 2 years. Gov. Abbott had requested 500, but there has been debate over the amount DPS can realistically hire.

Retired Teachers Healthcare Funded

• The House will commit an estimated $768 million in the supplemental bill (HB 2) to avoid a serious near term shortfall in TRS-Care, which is a health insurance program for retired teachers covering more than 250,000 people.
• This will help retired teachers avoid premium increases over the biennium.
• A large long-term shortfall remains, and hard decisions will face legislators and retirees.

Sanctuary Cities Bill

• A Senate border security subcommittee is slated to hear testimony about legislation, debated thoroughly in 2011, which would prevent cities from barring police from asking those they stop about their immigration status.
• Republicans have touted the legislation, filed this year by Sen. Charles Perry of Lubbock (Rep. Schaefer’s former desk mate in the House), as a way to address illegal immigration. Democrats have countered that it would subject Hispanics to racial profiling, while also hampering law enforcement efforts.

Bill Filing Deadline Has Passed

• 6,107 bills are up for consideration during the 84th legislative session, with 4,114 filed in the House and 1,993 filed in the Senate.
• That makes a 4% increase over the number of bills filed in 2013.

10 yr. Old Savannah Solis of Tyler Honored at Texas Capitol

• Savannah Solis, a 10 year-old constituent from Tyler, visited Rep. Schaefer at the State Capitol last week. Savannah was recognized for her work to honor and thank law enforcement in Texas and the NYPD.
• While at the Capitol, Rep. Schaefer held a press conference where Savannah gave her “thank you” speech to Austin law enforcement. At the press conference, Rep. Schaefer presented Savannah with a Texas flag that was flown over the Texas Capitol in her honor.
• Savannah was recognized on the floor of the House of Representatives, where a resolution was passed honoring her work. Savannah also had the opportunity to meet with Gov. Greg Abbott and the Director of DPS, Steve McCraw.

Matt’s Assessment:

Texas is not Washington. In Austin, I often find the occasion to work with Democrats on common sense bills. I am thankful for my friend, Rep. Joe Moody (D- El Paso), for his help on my Lone Star card fraud prevention bill. Restoring the integrity of our social benefit programs is something many agree upon, yet fraud is still a big and expensive problem. Our bill does not add any additional requirements to retailers who accept Lone Star cards. Therefore, I have asked for favorable consideration from companies like Brookshires Grocery Company, who will need time to evaluate the bill language. Regarding border security funding, it MUST receive high priority. I have to admit that I am disappointed that some very critical items have not been funded in the House budget. Although there is definitely some significant funding added to border security, the budget as it stands falls short. There is still time to propose amendments, but it can be difficult to change a bill after the committee process. The Senate budget looks better than the House at this juncture. I am not alone in my concern, but the good news is we still have time in the process to get it right.

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