News
Homer appointed to House advisory committee
The Paris News— April 12th, 2010
Texas Speaker of the House Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, has appointed state Rep. Mark Homer, D-Paris, to the Communities in Schools State Advisory Committee.
Homer is one of two state representatives currently serving on the committee. Rep. Myra Crownover, R-Denton, was appointed in 2007.
Homer decries extremism in politics
Daily Tribune— April 2nd, 2010
The extreme right wing of the Republican Party, says State Rep. Mark Homer, “they don’t like free thought. They want a heavy-handed strong fisted way of doing things (in the Texas legislature) and say ‘I will tell you how to vote.’”
McReynolds: Prison cuts ‘could have rippling effects’ across Texas
Lufkin Daily News— February 20th, 2010
The three largest agencies of the Texas criminal justice system face a proposed 5 percent budget cut in their 2010-11 biennial budgets. So do other state agencies, but state Rep. Jim McReynolds (D-Lufkin), chairman of the Texas House Corrections Committee, said the prison cuts could actually lead to more people being sent to correctional facilities.
Save the Date! 2020 BBQ Bash on October 8th, 2009
2020 PAC— July 24th, 2009
Texas 20/20 cordially invites you to the Texas 20/20 PAC Fundraiser at Lambert’s BBQ, in Austin, on October 8, 2009.
State Farm files request with state to raise homeowners’ insurance rates
The Lufkin Daily News— July 17th, 2009
In addition to rising property taxes, Angelina County homeowners are taking another hit this year — higher homeowners’ insurance premiums.
Lufkin School Board to vote on health and PE requirements
The Lufkin Daily News— July 12th, 2009
The Lufkin School Board will vote in an open public meeting on whether or not to keep health and physical education as a local graduation requirement Thursday — a unanimous proposal by the district’s Student Health Association Committee.
Mark Homer to be recognized by Boy Scouts
The Paris News— July 9th, 2009
NeTseO Trails Council, Boy Scouts of America is to honor state Rep. Mark Homer, D-Paris, Saturday, with the 2009 Distinguished Citizen Award.
Guarantee Texans do not lose their jobs to prison labor
Cherokeean Herald— May 27th, 2009
Today the Texas Legislature passed House Bill 1914 to help guarantee Texans do not lose their jobs to prison labor.
Crossbows Poised For October Use
Tyler Morning Telegraph— May 17th, 2009
By STEVE KNIGHT, Outdoor Writer
I am sure the Texas Legislature must have more important things to do. But, it seems to have found time to pass legislation that will allow the use of crossbows during the October archery season.
Proposed gas tax bill could cause higher gas prices
KTRE-TV, Lufkin— May 17th, 2009
With gas prices rising, East Texans are not pumped on the idea of taxes going up too
SWEPCO applauds efforts of two Texas legislators
Kilgore News-Herald— May 13th, 2009
AEP Southwestern Electric Power Company is applauding the efforts of two Northeast Texas legislators’ efforts to promote technology to capture CO2 from coal-fired power plants. Representatives Tommy Merritt, R-Longview, and Stephen Frost, D-Atlanta, worked diligently to improve the proposed legislation.
Bill would localize regulation of board and care homes
The Dallas Morning News— May 2nd, 2009
Unlicensed board and care homes, denounced as “mental health slums” by North Texas’ top mental health official two years ago, could be regulated by cities and counties under a bill the House passed Friday.
Texas Legislature could ban cell phone usage in school zones
KVUE-TV, Austin— April 28th, 2009
Only one law is on the books in Texas that bans cell phone usage while driving. It prevents teenagers from talking and driving during their first six months behind the wheel.
House OKs state worker leave for CASA volunteering
Statesman.com— April 27th, 2009
The House today gave final approval to a bill that gives state employees paid time off to volunteer with Court Appointed Special Advocates, a group that advocates for abused and neglected children.
TYC reforms questioned by former supporters
Corsicana Daily Sun— April 25th, 2009
State lawmakers who once backed reforms for Texas’ troubled youth jail system now worry that changes are being driven by money.
Supporters of embryonic stem cell research seek to keep bans out of House budget
statesman.com— April 17th, 2009
Supporters of embryonic stem cell research this morning called on the Texas House not to adopt budget language that would ban use of state money for the research. Such language is in the Senate version of the budget.
House bill addresses shortage of primary care providers in East Texas
KTRE-TV, NACOGDOCHES— April 8th, 2009
The lobby of a community health clinic is full. Behind the doors are health care providers, but not enough.
Bill to make keg renters register first
KCBD-TV Lubbock— April 7th, 2009
A bill presently before the state House is proposing to make Texans register when purchasing alcohol in kegs.
Bill seeks to improve visibility of rural addresses
Beaumont Enterprise— April 6th, 2009
Before 911 existed, when dispatchers for the Hamshire Volunteer Fire Department answered the “fire phone,” they didn’t need to ask the caller’s address.
Texas has ‘critical’ economic interest in ensuring Gulf Coast has insurance
Beaumont Enterprise— March 27th, 2009
The coastal counties of Texas are “a critical component” of the state’s economy, which means its insurability is essential to the whole state, an economic report asserts.
Benefits snafu hits police survivors
Austin American-Statesman— March 24th, 2009
When Texas Game Warden Justin Hurst was gunned down in March 2007, in a South Texas shootout, his wife was understandably overcome with grief.
Proposed windstorm insurance changes worry Ritter, Deshotel
KFDM-TV, Beaumont— March 19th, 2009
Representatives Joe Deshotel and Allan Ritter today expressed their concerns with House Bill 911, and the negative impact it could have on the Texas Gulf Coast region.
Legislators to seek input to cell phone legislation
KVUE-TV, Austin— March 9th, 2009
On Tuesday morning, members of the Texas House Transportation Committee will get public input on 12 different proposed bills outlawing cell phone use while driving in Texas.
Homer calls for government accountability
The Paris News— March 5th, 2009
Representative Mark Homer, D-Paris, had a public hearing Wednesday for HB 173, which provides for the election of the Texas Commissioner of Insurance, currently an appointed position.
Legislators propose making Texas insurance commissioner an elected position
Dallas Morning News— March 3rd, 2009
Several lawmakers Tuesday pitched insurance reform proposals that they said would better protect consumers and help stabilize rates in the wake of a new study affirming Texas’ standing as the most expensive home insurance market.
Court Ruling Dovetails With Bill Allowing Workers To Store Guns In Their Vehicle At Work
The Upshur Advocate— February 18th, 2009
A unanimous ruling today by the U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals in Fairfax, VA. supports the intent of a bill introduced recently in the Texas Senate, aimed at allowing employees to store legally owned firearms in locked, private motor vehicles while parked in employer parking lots.
Committees’ local picks must produce
San Antonio Express News— February 15th, 2009
Texas House Speaker Joe Straus took care of his hometown last week as he awarded key committee assignments to local lawmakers.
Region keeps voice on key House panel
The Beaumont Enterprise— February 13th, 2009
When the Texas House of Representatives begins a new session, committee assignments often change. That’s particularly true this year, when the House also has a new speaker in state Rep. Joe Straus, R-San Antonio.
McReynold honored by DETCOG
Diboll Free Press— January 21st, 2009
State Rep. Jim McReynolds of Lufkin was honored as “Deep East Texas Legislator of the Year 2008″ at the Deep East Texas Reception Jan. 12 honoring state officials and legislators from the area. The event was held the night before the convening of the 81st Session of the Texas Legislature.
Perry appoints McReynold’s to advisory group on crime
Diboll Free Press— December 17th, 2008
Gov. Rick Perry has appointed state Rep. Jim McReynolds of Lufkin and state Sen. Kel Seliger of Amarillo to the Crime Victim’s Institute Advisory Council.
Sick and Uninsured
KFDX-TV— November 21st, 2008
Each year in this country… billions of dollars in medical costs go uncollected because of uninsured patients. Some choose not to pay for insurance… other’s can’t afford it. But either way… someone has to pay for it.
Homer wins again
The Paris News— November 5th, 2008
State Rep. Mark Homer, D-Paris, edged out third time challenger Republican Kirby Hollingsworth of Mount Vernon Tuesday on the incumbent’s way to a sixth term in the Texas House of Representatives.
Homer won the District 3 race 26,694-24,910 with Lamar and Red River counties giving him the 1,784-vote victory. Hollingsworth won in Delta, Franklin and Hopkins [...]
State Rep. McReynolds takes presumptive win over Brookshire
Lufkin Daily News— November 5th, 2008
Democratic state Rep. Jim McReynolds of Lufkin appeared to have defeated his Republican opponent, Van Brookshire, with 57.7 percent of the votes early Wednesday.
McReynolds led Brookshire, 26,675 votes to 19,545, with 89 percent of precincts reporting as of 1 a.m. Wednesday. A win would see McReynolds resume his spot as District 12 representative to the [...]
District 1 Texas Representative: Frost defeats challenger
Texarkana Gazette— November 5th, 2008
Incumbent Stephen Frost, D-Texarkana, will continue the work he’s been doing for the citizens of Bowie, Cass, Morris and Marion counties as District 1 Texas Representative.
He was re-elected Tuesday.
He beat Republican challenger George Lavender 43,955 votes to 36,308, according to complete but unofficial results.
“No matter how the election turned out, I’m so glad about how [...]
Reps discuss education legislation
Mt. Pleasant Daily Tribune— October 18th, 2008
Local State Representatives Mark Homer and Steven Frost spoke at the Northeast Texas School Board Fall Dinner Meeting Thursday night in Mount Pleasant about the problems and perils education legislation faces in Texas.
Frost (D-Atlanta) said attitudes are changing for the better in Austin. He said during his first term another legislator suggested cutting textbook funding [...]
Our choice for state representative and numerous other statewide positions
The Lufkin Daily News— October 17th, 2008
For state representative for District 12 we are endorsing incumbent Jim McReynolds, D-Lufkin over his challenger, Van Brookshire of Coldspring. McReynolds has done a good job in his six terms in the Legislature and obviously puts his heart and soul into making things better for the people of Lufkin, Angelina County and the other areas [...]
Republican Leaders Endorse Mark Homer for Texas House
— October 16th, 2008
(PARIS) — An influential group of Republican state lawmakers today enthusiastically endorsed State Representative Mark Homer for re-election, saying that the East Texas leader is a problem solver who has earned the trust of voters and the respect of his colleagues.
“Mark Homer works with everybody to bridge divides, find common ground, and create solutions,” said [...]
Homer Launches Full Flight of Positive TV Spots
— October 9th, 2008
State Representative Mark Homer today launched a full flight of positive television ads throughout the region, reminding voters that the election next month is a unique opportunity to take a positive step forward by putting East Texas values first and Austin politics last.
“We already have plenty of politicians in Austin,” a narrator says in the [...]
2020 Members Focus on Ike Recovery
— September 16th, 2008
For 20/20 members, Hurricane Ike hit close to home - literally. Representative Ritter represents a coastal district that was heavily damaged by Ike’s wake. Representative Garcia’s hometown of Corpus experienced some of the storm’s effects. And when the powerful storm pushed inland, it cut a path through East Texas, a region represented [...]
Is Craddick’s finger in Paris’ political pie?
The Paris News— September 4th, 2008
(Originally Published on January 20, 2008) - Midland Republican Tom Craddick, in the campaign of his life to retain power as the first Republican Speaker of the Texas House, contends on a regular basis he does not try to influence local representative races on his behalf.
We have long begged to differ. Evidence to support our [...]
Seeing the light
Wichita Falls Times Record News— August 6th, 2008
Track the solar energy production of Kirby Junior High School’s solar panel. Log on to www.txu.com/solaracademy for up-to-the-minute statistics.
Holly Duncan has taught solar energy for 18 years. The Region 9 secondary science specialist often cooked hot dogs on a solar grill to get her points across to students.
But the interest in solar energy that she [...]
State representative, conservationist praise refuge decision, despite motion to halt process
Lufkin Daily News— July 2nd, 2008
Monday’s decision by a federal judge in favor of the Neches River National Wildlife Refuge was hailed by many as a victory for East Texas.
But one day later, attorneys for the city of Dallas and the Texas Water Development Board filed a motion in federal court to prevent the refuge from receiving any land donations [...]
Frost Wins New Boston Straw Poll 72%-28%
— February 13th, 2008
Representative Stephen Frost was the leading vote-getter at last Saturday night’s New Boston Straw Poll. The event was sponsored by the New Boston Chamber of Commerce. (Official results are attached.)
Frost defeated his opponent by an astounding 44-point margin, 72% to 28%. The raw vote total was 147 to 55 in a crowd [...]
Craddick Personally Solicits Opponent For Homer Says Local Businessman
The Quorum Report— January 14th, 2008
Speaker Tom Craddick personally tried to recruit a challenger for Rep. Mark Homer (D-Paris) last month, according to the man who was on the receiving end of the phone call.
Bill Priefert, CEO of ranch equipment company Priefert Manufacturing, said that he was approached to run for Homer’s Northeast Texas seat – first by the father [...]
Frost Seeking Third Term
Texarkana Gazette— January 3rd, 2008
Texas Rep. Stephen Frost, D-Atlanta, announced his plans this week to seek re-election for a third term.
Frost has represented Cass, Bowie, Marion and Morris counties in the Texas Legis-lature since 2005.
For leverage in the election, Frost plans to use his record of working across party lines for “common sense reform.”
“I have seen firsthand the crippling [...]