THE 82nd SESSION OF THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE

I am honored to have once again been given the privilege of serving you in the Texas Legislature. Throughout this legislative session, I have worked diligently to make sure my constituents have the attention and service they deserve.

This session I had the opportunity to serve on the Insurance committee, as Vice-Chairman of the Economic and Small Business Development committee and the House Administration committee.

Of course,  the budget took up most of the time during the session.    We still have a serious problem with ongoing structural deficits and they must be addressed.  Last session we used $12.1 billion of federal stimulus money to balance the budget; putting off  tough decisions.  We cannot continue to ignore our budget problems and we must not continue to balance the state budget by pushing costs down to local governments and school districts.  I believe everything  should be on the table for discussion when the legislature meets again and we need to set smart priorities. 

I am sure you have heard that the new redistricting plan for the House districts made many changes.  Our district 149 was eliminated.   The precincts currently in 149 have been scattered to several other districts.  Part of the Alief  precincts have been combined with the current District 137 forming a new  district made up of  Sharpstown and part of Alief.  Before this redistricting map becomes effective, it must pass the Federal Voting Rights standards.  It is possible that we will not have an approved map until close to the end of the year.

The Budget

“This session was the most difficult one I have participated in since I first came to the legislature in 2005”, said Hubert Vo.  The legislature began in Austin in January facing a $27 billion budget shortfall and the prospect of making huge budget cuts in order to balance our state budget for the years 2012-2013.

At a recent meeting with constituents, Representative Vo made the following remarks on  the budget that the legislature passed.

 The sessions are over and the budget was passed and it is balanced……but at what cost?   I believe that in times like these you have to set priorities and make prudent decisions about cuts.  I am convinced the choices the legislature made concerning the state budget will have a profound and negative effect on this state.  Besides making deep budget cuts, the budget failed to fund any growth in public education and universities even though Texas’ child population grew by 16.6% in the latest census.

“It is our highest priority to keep our state’s economy strong and a major part of that is to invest in education.  In my opinion the legislature, in this session, made decisions that continued to shortchange both public and higher education of our children.   Without an educated population and workforce how can we maintain a strong economy and have a good quality of life for all of us?”

Under the new budget, public schools will receive $4 billion less than current law allocated.  Other programs will be impacted by cuts and reductions.   Career and technology, special education, technology allotment and pre-kindergarten are among them.   At this time, before the new budget, Texas is 42nd among all states in total expenditures per pupil and we are last in the number of people 25 years old and over who have completed high school.  We must do better!

Higher education was cut by 13%.  Student financial aid programs were cut which will result in 43,000 fewer students receiving aid.

Texas has a shortage of primary physicians but the new budget slashes funding for medical schools and residency training.

Healthcare services for children, seniors and people with disabilities among others failed to be funded for any growth of caseloads.

In difficult financial times it is necessary to make tough decisions but education and health care for our people is so important that we must provide the resources necessary.

Houston Chronicle Endorses Hubert Vo

The Houston Chronicle:  Hubert Vo, the Democratic incumbent in this westside district, has served his District 149 constituents ably for three terms. An immigrant from Vietnam, Vo well represents the rapidly changing face of this district. He says he makes a particular effort to reach out across party lines because “I want to make opportunities available to others that I had when I came here.

Hubert has earned the support of all the state’s teacher organizations, the major law enforcement and firefighter groups,  business, environmental groups and professional associations.

“I am proud to be supported by such diverse groups and pledge to continue to listen to all sides and seek the common-sense solutions to the issues facing our state,” said Hubert.

Hubert Vo says, “I feel it is my responsibility to communicate with my constituents to understand the issues that are important to them and to work with those who can help the district.”

Because of his experience and proven record, Hubert Vo continues to receive support from a broad spectrum of organizations.