Week of April 12th - April 18th, 2021 |
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State Representative Jarvis Johnson's Weekly Newsletter |
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Friends,
I hope you all are well and had an amazing week! There was a lot that happened this week here in Austin. From contentious bills being heard on the house floor to the passage of my first bill this session, it was a busy week! As always, it brings me such happiness to provide this space to check in with you all and provide you a first-hand look into the legislative session.
Please continue to reach out to my office if you are looking for assistance, if we are unable to assist you, we will make sure to put you in touch with someone who can. Below you will find information on what went on this week, as well as resources that may be beneficial for you! I hope you all enjoy your weekend, stay safe!
In service,
Jarvis Johnson State Representative, District 139 |
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Updates from the Legislative Session |
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I am happy to announce that my bill HB 80 passed this week at #TXLege! My bill would halt the archaic and damaging practice of assigning fines and fees to foster youth and instead offer judges the opportunity to prescribe rehabilitative community service. HB 80 helps shorten the length of foster youths' stay in the system and increases their likelihood of finding employment later in life.
Next step- passing the Senate! |
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I am happy to coauthor these Medicaid Expansion bills that were passed today! HB 133 would allow pregnant women to stay on Medicaid for no less than 12 months postpartum. HB 290 would provide safeguards to ensure that vulnerable children who need Medicaid coverage would not cycle off and on the program, which leads to fragmented care. |
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This week, HB 4065 was heard in the Urban Affairs Committee. Land Banks serve a crucial purpose, repurposing properties that would never be purchased otherwise. The Houston Land Bank, due to the unique nature of its creation and governance, does not have the necessary authority to function appropriately. Abandoned lots across the city are being used as illegal dumping grounds or not used at all, and my bill would permit the Land Bank to turn those lots into something beneficial for the city and the neighborhood. |
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This week HB 3638 was heard in the Public Education Committee. House Bill 3638 would establish an African-American studies advisory board whose duties would consist of reviewing and proposing changes to textbooks and curriculums related to African American culture for K-12 education, including social studies and African-American studies. Future goals include broadening such content to have citizenship, culture, economics, science, technology, geography, and politics and how they interconnect with African-American history.
Recently in Texas, a textbook for middle school social studies claimed that slave's forced labor were "chores" and that the cause of the Civil War was over "state's rights" and not the right to own slaves. My bill would ensure that a thorough review of the curriculum occurs to prevent teaching our children an incomplete picture of the African American experience in the State of Texas as we advance. |
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Teacher Retirement System of Texas |
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Our kids already experience the "summer slide" and now with the "covid slide", it is even more important our school districts have the necessary staff to run their school programs. Right now, retirees are restricted to help out these ISDs as temporary employees, but many are willing and want to help out during this time. That's why last week, I along with 5 of my colleagues on the Appropriations subcommittee on Education sent a letter to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas urging they immediately help our School districts who want to temporarily hire retirees for their summer school programs.
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This week in Urban Affairs we heard bills related to municipal management districts, improving quality of life for the elderly, as well as my land bank bill, HB 4065. This critical legislation would help the Houston Land Bank transform tax-delinquent vacant lots into green space and affordable housing, and I look forward to carrying it through the House. We also voted out several bills, including a piece of the George Floyd Act by Dean Senfronia Thompson which would require police departments to create a progressive disciplinary matrix, ensuring officers who commit crimes don't get to continue serving on the force.
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Yesterday the Texas House of Representatives passed HB 1927, which allows any Texan aged 21 or older to carry a firearm without a permit. This bill was passed despite the rising trend of school shootings, murder of police officers, and mass shootings. There are nearly 750,000 guns registered in Texas, the most of any state, and this year 30,000 license-to-carry permits were denied because the applicant was deemed unfit to carry a gun.
This bill would allow them to walk armed in public, with no training or license. We are ignoring the harsh lessons we needed to learn from Odessa, from Santa Fe High School, from Bryan just last week. My Republican colleagues are more interested in stripping voters' rights than regulating guns: Last week, HB 6 was voted out of committee. That bill made it harder to vote by mail, restricted early voting, made it harder for elderly or disabled Texans who need assistance to vote, and increased criminal penalties for breaking voter registration and election laws. All of this despite no evidence of voter fraud in Texas, and we continue to make it easier to obtain a gun when gun violence increases year after year. Today was a difficult day in the Texas House, but I will continue to fight for the wellbeing of my constituents and all Texans, not a partisan agenda. |
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Statement on the Murder of Daunte Wright |
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All adults are eligible to receive the COVID-19 Vaccine now. Please sign up for the waitlists for Harris County and the City of Houston. Additionally, the State Department of Health Services has launched a COVID Vaccine appointment finder.
Harris County Sign Up HERE
Statewide Appointment Locator HERE
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| Looking to get vaccinated?
As of Monday, March 29, 2021, everyone age 16 and older is now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine in Texas. Please refer to the website below to get signed up today!
Visit VaccineFinder.org and HERE today and just type in your ZIP code!
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New On Demand Vaccine Opportunities |
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Today, April 16, 2021, Judge Hidalgo announced a new, on demand system for vaccine registration.
It's as simple as 1.2.3.
Pick a time/date slot GET VACCINATED! |
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New Vaccination Appointment Opportunities |
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People can learn about new appointment opportunities through email, text message, voice call, or mobile app push notification by registering for the HoustonRecovers subscription of AlertHouston at AlertHouston.org. |
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DSHS Pause on Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine |
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A few key messages to keep in mind are: - Reports of blood clots are extremely rare.
- The blood clots seem to occur 1 – 2 weeks after vaccination.
- People experiencing severe headache, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath should seek medical care.
- The pause will allow time for healthcare providers to diagnose and treat patients and report cases that may be related to the vaccine. It will also give the CDC time to review the data on the cases that have been reported.
- People who are currently scheduled to get vaccinated with Pfizer and Moderna vaccines should keep their appointments and move forward with vaccination.
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If you are facing eviction or need help paying rent or utilities, drive-thru this Saturday, April 17, from noon-4pm to get connected with legal aid and other resources. |
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Open Enrollment for Obamacare |
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| As of Tuesday, March 23rd, 2021, the special enrollment period for the Affordable Care Act would be extended from May 15th to August 15.
That means that anyone who either doesn't have health insurance or wants to change their plan has additional time to sign up
You can learn more about coverage and how to find a plan HERE |
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City of Houston's Family Day |
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It will be a drive-thru food distribution on Saturday, April 17, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Harris Academy, 3130 Holder Forest Drive.
Each vehicle will get a hot meal and a box of food!
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| Haven't received your stimulus yet? Looking to see if you qualify? For answers to these questions and more click the link below to use the IRS Get My Payment Tool!
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Acres Homes Community Meeting with Mayor Turner |
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Have questions about public safety/crime and COVID19 vaccines and testing?
The city is hosting a community meeting in Acres Homes on Monday, April 19 from 6:30 p.m - 7:30 p.m. |
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FEMA Small Business Loan Assistance |
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| Did your small business suffer damage from the Winter Storms in February? You still have time to apply for assistance from FEMA. |
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Are you on the hunt for a job? We are partnering with Workforce Solutions to host a free Virtual Job Fair on April 22nd.
To register, visit here.
See the flyer below for more info. |
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Houston Office of Emergency Management |
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| OEM reminds the residents of Houston that Tuesday, April 20, 2021 is the deadline to register for Disaster Assistance for damages sustained due to the February 2021 Winter Storms.
Download the FEMA app
Call 1-800-621-3362 |
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My staff and I are always here to serve you. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us with questions, comments, concerns, or to say hi! Have a great weekend! We can be reached by phone at (512) 463-0554 or (713) 699-3043 |
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